Webinar on architecture for kids
CHILDREN can learn about art and architecture in a Zoom webinar conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and the Japan Foundation called “What is a Built Environment? The Art and Science of Architecture for Kids” which will be held on Oct. 17, 4:30-6 p.m. The speakers are Dr. Edson Cabalfin, the Director of Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship at The Tulane School of Architecture, and Asa Montenejo who is president of children’s publisher Adarna House. They are, respectively, the author and the illustrator and designer of the book What Kids Should Know About Filipino Architecture. The event is free and will be held on Zoom with an FB Live broadcast. Register for the event here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q0b7c1g2S8eszABTR6v69g?fbclid=IwAR3ipPyMBJaBE1zKRxICpNjxZw6zV. For details contact the Metropolitan Museum at info@metmuseum.ph .
Penguin Random House releases 2 new books
PENGUIN Random House SEA has released two new books: Who Killed the King of Bagan?, a thrilling introduction to Myanmar’s founding capital by Jame DiBiasio, with a twist of murder; and The Rosales House, a story of discovery, resilience and familial bonds by Mignon Bravo Dutt. Who Killed the King of Bagan? is a deep dive into the rich and well-guarded history of Myanmar through the device of a murder mystery. According to the Myanmarese chronicles, Bagan’s most important king was Anawrahta who died under suspicious circumstances, and contemporary Burmese writers surmise he was assassinated. But why, and by whom? Jame DiBiasio is the author of The Story of Angkor, which was published by Silkworm Books in 2013, and was also an extensively researched history for tourists. He has also published two novels: Gaijin Cowgirl (Crime Wave Press, 2013) and Bloody Paradise (Water Street Crime, 2016). Jame has been living in Asia since 1997. He is an award-winning financial journalist and the founding editor of AsianInvestor. Meanwhile, seasoned writer Mignon Bravo Dutt brings an inspiring yet relatable story of Claire, the protagonist of The Rosales House, as she embarks on a journey of discovering her roots with many ups and downs en route. A contemporary work of fiction, this story will take readers into the lives, trials and tribulations of the Rosales family as it unfolds across several geographies, from Singapore to New York and Valle Viejo, and the Philippines, just to name a few. Migs Bravo-Dutt is a writer and researcher whose work has been published in several countries, regions, and cultures. Her short fiction has appeared in 22 New Asian Short Stories 2016 and The Best Asian Short Stories 2018. She has co-edited Get Lucky: An Anthology of Philippine and Singapore Writings, a Singapore Writers Festival bestseller in 2015. She has also contributed poetry to various anthologies and journals in Singapore, Asia, Croatia, and the USA, and written for Royal Bhutan Druk Air’s Tashi Delek and other travel guides and newsletters.
4 exhibits at West Gallery
WEST Gallery has four ongoing exhibits: Carina Santos’ The Second Structure of Feeling, Pinky Urmaza’s Book of Days, Elaine Roberto-Navas’ Light as Water, and Ev Yu’s Square Running in Circles. The exhibits can be viewed until Oct. 24. Visitors are welcome to the gallery by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 3411-0336.
PETA’s latest online theater workshops target adults
HAVING successfully conducted two batches of online workshops within the last four months, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) final set of workshops, Stream 3 of Let’s Get Creative Plus (LGC Plus), is tailored to meet the demands of adults who are looking for professional and personal artistic development in between their busy work-from-home schedules. LGC Plus Stream 3 will be conducted exclusively on weekends. Participants can expect to be immersed in a one of a kind learning experience during the workshops’ five three-hour sessions conducted on Zoom. With emphasis on practical and on-hand activities guided by PETA’s artist-teachers, the program will be concluded through an online recital. Creatives-at-heart can have their pick among LGC’s tried and tested courses: Acting for Beginners (Saturdays/Sundays, 5 – 8:30 p.m., on Oct. 24, 25, 31, Nov. 7, 8, Showcase on Nov. 15) which is open to beginners and experienced performers alike and covers not only the rudiments of script analysis, screenwork, and character creation through the guidance of actor and director Dudz Teraña; Acting for Screen (Fridays/Sundays, 5 – 8:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 25, 30, Nov. 6, 8, Showcase on Nov. 15) which will help performers shake off their camera shyness and improve on their camera acting skills through sessions on the technical aspects of acting in front of a camera, character creation, and monologue performance, led by actor and director Phil Noble; Creative Musical Theater (Fridays/Sundays, 5-8:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 25, 30, Nov. 6, 8, Showcase on Nov. 15) which is designed to develop one’s musicality through interpretation and storytelling, taught by composer and musical director Jeff Hernandez; and Introduction to Writing for Performance (Fridays/Sundays, 5-8:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 25, 30, Nov. 6, 8, Showcase on Nov. 15) which is an introductory course made to empower aspiring writers, participants will be led by writer and actor J-mee Katanyag. The classes are open to theater enthusiasts and aspiring artists, both experienced and beginners, aged 18 and above. For details on enrollment visit www.bit.ly/PETAOnlineWorkshop, or contact Betita at 0926-406-6858 or betitasarmiento@petatheater.com.
Ayala Museum launches online shop
THE AYALA Museum has launched its new online Ayala Museum Shop as part of its Ayala Museum Virtual offerings. The launch of the site also features a whole new line of Ayala Museum products, with uniquely Filipino products inspired by the Ayala Museum collection — transformed into contemporary uses for the every day. From tote bags to notepads to sanitizing kits and to action figures, the new products are both a reflection of how lives have changed during the height of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and a showcase Philippine art and culture. The Stay Home Collection repurposes the works of Filipino artists Jose Honorato Lozano and Damian Domingo into everyday items such as tote bags, pouches, notepads, and mugs. There are also personal care items such as alcohol, alcogel, essential oils, and a space freshener set of linen sprays and reed diffusers. Also available is a limited-edition Jose Rizal action figure, the first to be released under Historic Heroes, a series of action figures in the likeness of Philippine history’s most inspiring figures. The Ayala Museum Shop also curated an Art & Care Kit that comes with a Tipos del Pais tote bag that contains customizable face masks, creativity sheets, and stickers to help bring creativity from the museum to the home. Proceeds of this Art & Care Kit will be donated to an Art & Wellness Program for frontliners. Explore more of the Ayala Museum Shop’s online offerings at shop.ayalamuseum.org. Follow Ayala Museum on Facebook, Twitter, and @ayalamuseumshop on Instagram to get updates on their products.
Forum on pandemic’s effect on art to be held
“CROSS-Continental Conversations in the Cone of Uncertainty,” a panel discussion which tackles the challenges of producing exhibitions during the pandemic and amid the global turmoil, will be held on Oct. 8 in preparation for the celebrated South Korean artist Haegue Yang’s forthcoming first solo exhibition in the Philippines. Hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the talk will delve on the impact of the current situations in art and the cultural institutions in Europe, Asia, and North America as well as the response of the local community in these changes. The forum will feature Jihoi Lee, Curator of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, Korea; Adelina Vlas, Associate Curator of the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Canada; and Anne Barlow, Director and Curator of the Tate St. Ives in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It will be facilitated by the MCAD Director and Curator Joselina “Yeyey” Cruz and will be conducted via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. Those who wish to reserve a slot may register through this link: https://www.mcadmanila.org.ph/cross-continental-conversations-in-the-cone-of-uncertainty/. For more inquiries, e-mail mcad@benilde.edu.ph.
Kaida Contemporary holds solo show, group show
KAIDA Contemporary presents Gaining Ground, a solo exhibition by Mark Arcamo, and Present Tense, a three-man group show by Nick Navarro, Oddin Sena, and Jone Sibugan. In Arcamo’s latest solo exhibit, the artist gives life to the frustrations and disappointments of the last few months. In Present Tense, the artists draw up the tensions filling the days in the light of recent events and the ways they cope. Nick Navarro focuses on the breath, the way it is held and kept track of. Oddin Sena seeks inspiration from experiences of taking on a different profession and its accompanying challenges. Jone Sibugan interprets the identity crisis one goes through in moments of uncertainty and confusion. Gaining Ground and Present Tense will run until Oct. 19. Physical viewing of the works may be done at the gallery from Oct. 6 onwards. Kaida Contemporary is located at 45 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact the gallery at kaida529@yahoo.com.ph, 8463-5859 and 0927-929-7129, or message the gallery on its social media channels.
3rd issue of Art Archive out
THE JAPAN Foundation, Manila has announced the publication of Art Archive 03, the third volume of a series that explores current trends and concerns in Philippine contemporary art. Art Archive 03 brings together 16 writers, presenting a diverse set of perspectives about contemporary music and design in the country. In line with the Japan Foundation’s aim of carrying out comprehensive international exchange programs throughout the world, the book is published in a digital format for accessibility. As a primer for readers interested in Philippine art, Art Archive 03 is meant to be used as a resource to foster cultural exchange and knowledge sharing for artists, educators, and art and cultural institutions in the Philippines and abroad. The Japan Foundation also released two videos for its Virtual Book Launch presenting the contents of both the Music and Design sections. The videos also include discussions between the section editors and contributors about their essays and professions. Access the videos on the Official YouTube Channel: The Japan Foundation, Manila.
