picasso boutique serviced residences

Video Still

If you happen to be around for lunch or happy hour at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in Salcedo Village, make it a point to hang out in the lobby. Twice a day, the double-story wall opposite the hotel’s reception desk turns into the screen for viewing an engaging video by Bryan Quesada. The piece first came out in 2007 as part of Bryan’s first solo show, Pagtatagpi, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Here he reprises Act 1: Separating Shadows/ One Channel Video/ Six Minutes.

At first I thought the piece made a loop of the spastic images that we see at the end of old movies. You know, the portion right before the spool of film ends abruptly. Or that, perhaps, he had recorded scribbles from a black ball point pen. It turns out, Bryan’s piece uses kilos of staples, both used and unused wires, that he has been collecting since 2002. He put these images together in the manner of an animated film. Knowing what you are looking at adds an extra dimension to enjoying the video.

Video Still 2

I have to admit, I know zilch about creating short films. All that matters is that I like the finished piece. If you add to the mix the extra bit of finding good art in a pretty unique space, then Bryan’s piece delivers quite an interesting experience.

The 30-year -old film major is currently undertaking some graduate courses in the UP College of Fine Arts. Bryan Quesada seems to bear watching.

Act 1: Separating Shadows/ One Channel Video/ Six Minutes plays at the Lobby area of the Picasso Boutique Service Residences until 17 May 2010, 119 Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Phone (632) 828-4774 or visit http://www.picassomakati.com or http://www.artcabinetphilippines.com