Picture book inspires exhibit
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE Kwago and publishing and curatorial platform Comma invited artists Maxine Syjuco, Issay Rodriguez, Nikki Ocean, Erick Calilan, Jem Magbanua, Sasa Cabalquinto, and Ralph Eya for an exhibit and performance called A Curated Shelf: Salamin on Aug. 25, 5 p.m., at Kwago book bar. Salamin meditates on the ongoing literary exhibition A Curated Shelf by Ani Almario. Salamin responds to one of the most controversial contemporary picture books: Mirror by Suzy Lee in which a little girl interacts with a mirror and her reflection in it. The author takes the young protagonist as well as the readers on a mental trip: self-awareness, loneliness, joy, ecstasy, confusion and anger. A Curated Shelf is a space for critical and playful conversations about publications and publishing as a discursive practice. Salamin, which has a pay-what-you-want entrance free, offers free unlimited ice cream for attendees who sign up to bit.ly/rsvpsalamin. Kwago is a book bar that offers zines, a curated shelf and fiction-inspired cocktails.
Artist Talk: Ambie Abaño
AS PART of her ongoing exhibit …in the constant rain... which is on view until Aug. 31, at Galleria Duemila, artist Ambie Abaño will hold a talk about her work on Aug. 24, 2 to 4 p.m., at the gallery. Galleria Duemila is at 210 Loring St., Pasay City. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pastels exhibit
CELESTE LECAROZ, a Manila-based member of the Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines (PASPI) Inc. Manila Chapter, and Florida-based Gary Carabio, who is in the Master’s Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies, have joined forces for a back-to-back show entitled Pastel Puro. It is ongoing until Aug. 23 at Galerie Y in SM Megamall. As the title denotes, Pastel Puro is a showcase of realistic art works done in the pastel medium. For this exhibit, Lecaroz presents the Sisterhood series — works featuring images of Filipinas at the turn of the century. Carabio’s works, meanwhile, reflect his fascination for everyday life and for portraiture.
Dancing Lessons
TWIN BILL Theater Company will open its third season with the Asian premiere of Dancing Lessons, a new, 95-minute, two-character play by Mark St. Germain. There will be performances from Aug. 16 to 24 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Level 2 Circuit Lane, Circuit Makati. The play revolves around Ever Montgomery, a science professor who has Asperger’s, and Senga Quinn, a Broadway dancer with a serious injury that threatens her career and identity. Ever asks Senga for a dancing lesson so he can deal with social intimacy (handshaking, hugs, dancing) at an upcoming awards banquet that he was tasked to host. Through the lessons, a relationship slowly develops that has both individuals stepping out of their comfort zones. It stars Randy Villarama and Jill Peña, under the direction of Francis G. Matheu. During the run of Dancing Lessons, Twin Bill Theater will hold special discussions on Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum conducted in partnership with Autism Association. For ticket inquiries call Ticketworld at 891-9999.
Exhibit on plastic waste
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), through its Center for Campus Art, presents Alon!, a specially curated exhibition that aims to create awareness on plastic waste, thus to hopefully initiate change. One of the highlights is a series of images of local surfers — Siargao, La Union, Baler, Mati in Davao, Gubat in Sorsogon and Sabang Daguitan in Leyte — with accumulated plastic trash in their hands, picked up from the beach in a five-minute period. The eponymous documentary, Alon, written and directed by Gabby Fernandez, will also premier on Aug. 28, one day before the Aug. 29 opening night of the exhibition. The short film, also produced by the CCA, features interviews with 40 local surfers as they try to answer the question: Why is the Philippines the third worst plastic polluter in the world? A mini photo exhibit featuring pictures by photographer Noel Guevara for Greenpeace Philippines will highlight the amount of non-biodegradables that have found their home in the depths of the seas. The photos were taken during a three-day dive and exploration at the Verde Island Passage. Also part of the exhibit is a sculpture of a dead baby whale sculpture by Biboy Royong, first seen as part of the famous 78-by-10-foot whale-like statue Cry of the Dead Whale recently installed in front of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The piece is made from plastic bags, bottles and various waste products found in the bodies of water. Alon! will likewise showcase solutions, with student-designers from DLS-CSB showcasing tiles made out of plastic trash and a number of ensembles made from unconventional and upcycled materials. The exhibit will run from Aug. 29 until Dec. 14 at the 12th floor Main Gallery, School of Design and Arts Campus, DLS-CSB, Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) St., Malate, Manila. Alon! is open free to the public.
