All Around Town: DAGC Gallery, Pablo Fort, Manila Contemporary, Blanc Peninsula, and Pinto Art Gallery

Noi Gonzales, "Pakikisama", at Pinto Art Gallery

I’ve been stranded in the seven kingdoms of Westeros these past few weeks, ensnared by the five mammoth volumes of The Game of Thrones.  I thought it high time to come back to reality, to catch up on Manila’s art scene—my original form of escape.  I wanted to see some exhibits that were due to close, and to make sure I made it to some of this weekend’s more promising openings.

My two-day art binge took me from the heart of Taguig’s Global City, to the streets of Makati and yonder, all the way up to the hills of Antipolo. Continue reading


Anton del Castillo’s Conquistador for Art On The Verge

Anton del Castillo, "Battle Plan I, II, III"

The three of us first came together sometime May, Katrina Tuason Cruz of Rogue Magazine, Dindin Araneta of Art

"Allegorical Partition" and "The Battle Ship"

Cabinet Philippines, and myself.  We met to discuss another project that never did pan out, but in the course of our discussions, we hit upon the idea of putting together a scholarship program that would initially focus on the visual arts.  Art lovers all, we felt that every budding artist deserved the chance of a formal education.  The Philippine art scene somehow manages to remain vibrant and engaged despite the huge obstacle of almost no government support.  Filipino visual artists make do and produce spectacular work in various media.  We felt that the lack of financial means shouldn’t be a hindrance to committed individuals intent on contributing to Philippine art.  We hope to encourage this via Art On The Verge.

Curator Yeyey Cruz and Charlie Cojuangco

We launched Art On The Verge through a fundraising exhibit at the newly-opened NOVA Gallery in Pasong Tamo, Makati.  Businessman Charlie Cojuangco generously allowed the use of his new space for our purposes.  An avid art collector, Charlie set up this gallery to support the endeavors of artists in his native Negros.  I think this gallery, with its intimate proportions and subtle design details, will turn out to be one of the most

Anton del Castillo, "Conquistador"

interesting spaces in Makati.  Artist Sandra Palomar, Charlie’s gallery consultant, envisions the place to be a venue for shows and artistic discussion.

Ateneo's Leo Garcia and Mrs. Maribel Ongpin

Artist Anton del Castillo worked very closely with curator Patrick Flores to put together Conquistador, this exhibit of Anton’s latest work in his signature medium of oil over gold leaf.  He parlays

Toy Soldiers Installation

his continuing interest in war and warfare into this show of wall-bound works and free-standing sculpture.  In the words of Patrick, Anton “… selects three artifices to convey this outlook: the toy soldier, the map, and the maquettes of military hardware.”  Through his artisanship, Anton imbues what would otherwise be rugged machines of destruction with finesse and delicacy.  He embeds a myriad of detail into his pieces, layers that you only see up close.   As is his wont, this show once again blends age-old techinique with very modern concerns.

Jasmin and Jayjay Sy, Mike Gomez, and Felix Barrientos

Anton del Castillo, Inhabitant I and II and Breath of Supremacy

The first receipient of the Art On The Verge annual grant is Brendale Tadeo, a talented young artist from Zambales who has apprenticed with Don Salubayba and Anino Shadowplay.

Anton del Castillo, "The Unleashed"

For more information on Art On The Verge, please contact Art Cabinet Philippines at (63928)550-4816 or Rogue Media Inc. at (632) 729-7747.  Or visit http://www.artcabinetphilippines.com

Conquistador runs from 25 November to 22 December 2009 .  NOVA Gallery is located at Warehouse 11A, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue (Pasong Tamo), Makati City.

Anton del Castillo and Brendale Tadeo

Toy Soldiers

Exhibit Installation


Homecoming From Beijing

Push and Pull by Jose John Santos III

Push and Pull by Jose John Santos III

In the great CS Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Professor Kirke’s seemingly run-of-the mill armoire becomes the portal to enchanted, magical Narnia.  Upon entering its doors, four children transport from war-ravaged Britain into a world of pathos, quest, achievement, adventure. Continue reading


Map Ruminations: Apartment Art Series by Art Cabinet Philippines

Plainview Goal, Mixed Media Installation by Don Salubayba

Plainview Goal, Mixed Media Installation by Don Salubayba

Maps have fascinated for ages.  Picture crude etchings discovered in caves, a diagram of the heavens crafted by ancient man to guide his destiny. Or the rudimentary representations of land and sea that steered Balboa, Columbus, and Magellan to historic conquests.  In those days, cartographers depicted a flat planet that ended in a precipice, beyond which lay the great

Patricia and Patring by Tina Fernandez

Patricia and Patring by Tina Fernandez

unknown.  What would the legendary explorers make of the GPRS features in cars and phones of today, when one touch of a button steers us precisely two kilometers to the east or west, or pinpoints locations with precision?  Proof that maps serve both as guide and historic document,  getting more sophisticated as man marches on to progress.

Makina Anatomika by Brendale Tadeo

Makina Anatomika by Brendale Tadeo

 

leeroy-inst-detail

Detail, Leeroy New Hanging Installation

In this show, Art Cabinet Philippines challenges 12 artists to come up with their take on maps, each one alloted a space of their own choosing in a recently-vacated penthouse.  The non-traditional venue, with its commanding views of the city skyline,  help unleash the powers of their imagination, fueling creativity in what promises to be a truly unique show.  Hopefully, this heralds the beginning of a series of great concepts,  a different way of viewing and appreciating the visual arts.

Allegorical Partition by Anton del Castillo

Allegorical Partition by Anton del Castillo

Alice by Lea Lim

Alice by Lea Lim

2805B Map Ruminations by Anton del Castillo, Marc Cosico, Tina Fernandez, Mark Gaba, Mark Andy Garcia, Lea Lim, Leeroy New, Sandra Palomar, Alwin Reamillo, Don Salubayba, Brendale Tadeo, and Ian Victoriano is on view from 4 to 14 December  2008 at Apt. 2805B, Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village.  Viewing times are from 5 to 8 pm.  Contact (+63928) 5504816 or www.artcabinetphilippines.com

By Sandra Palomar

By Sandra Palomar

Detail, Who are the People in Your Neighborhood by Don Salubayba

Detail, Who are the People in Your Neighborhood by Don Salubayba

Crab Ilokandia by Alwin Reamillo

Crab Ilokandia by Alwin Reamillo

The Kumot Adventure by Marc Cosico

The Kumot Adventure by Marc Cosico


Art Beijing, 798, and Two Great Restaurants

Possessed of airline miles that had to be redeemed before the month was out, I conceived the idea of flying to Beijing after all the Olympic hoopla had settled.  My friend, Dindin Araneta of Art Cabinet Philippines, signed up to participate in Art Beijing, from September 5 to 9, and I thought it would be interesting to tag along.  Art, history, good friends, the perfect mix for a much-needed respite.  I definitely got more than I bargained for, but Beijing did not disappoint. Continue reading