Excerpt from ART SG. Read more here. The Drawing Room recently opened two solo exhibitions reflecting on aspects of Filipino existence: Mark Salvatus’s ‘Crackling for a Piece of the Moon’ and Christina Lopez’s ‘Pro Forma’. Salvatus uses a topographical point of view to survey land and space, from his early life in the province to... Continue Reading →
Kidlat Tahimik: History Through the Bamboo Camera (Published in ArtAsiaPacific)
Excerpt from AAP Issue 127. Read more here. Conversing with Kidlat Tahimik was as surreal as watching his movies. His narratives unfold in different layers, steadily unraveling stories and perspectives, giving insight into his practice and the world he examines. He described his film practice and aversion to scripts, shared his life story and how... Continue Reading →
Manila: Cast But One Shadow (Published in ArtAsiaPacific)
Excerpt from AAP Issue 127. Read more here. “Cast But One Shadow: Afro-Southeast Asian Affinities” was a densely researched exhibition. It was the Manila iteration of curators Carlos Quijon Jr. and Kathleen Ditzig’s ongoing project reviewing global solidarities from a Southeast Asian positionality, which began in Singapore with the show “In Our Best Interests: Afro-Southeast... Continue Reading →
Leslie de Chavez: Legacies of Dissent (Published in ArtAsiaPacific)
Excerpt from AAP Issue 126. Read more here. “Considering the long history of these seemingly chronic conditions that we are in, it is of utmost importance that we create art that exemplifies sensitivity to the struggles, heartaches, aspiration, and dreams of our fellowmen.” Conversations like these with Leslie de Chavez are often enlightening. He navigates... Continue Reading →
Daguerre and opening “Nothing to Declare”
Today is Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre's 224th birthday. I have memorized that name as an undergraduate student while studying Photography as Art under Prof. Eloi Hernandez. Ironically, it is also through her that I found out about his birthday. It is gut instinct that I sensed a Google Doodle in his honor. Who is Daguerre? He was the... Continue Reading →
Jose Rizal, Mideo Cruz, Kulo and Censorship
150 years. Did the world really change? Most times, I feel like life is spearing ahead too fast. But if you examine our history, our legacy, you may ask, did it really change? 150 years after. We celebrate Rizal’s 150th birthday with exhibits, shows, parades and many other commemorative exercises. We celebrate the hero. Yet,... Continue Reading →
Art Around Us, Art in UP
These are projects for my teacher, Dr. Eloisa May Hernandez. Hope this inspires you to find art around us 🙂 The photos are linked to the original URL. To find more, please check out Dr. Eloisa May Hernandez Tumblr account here. Related articles Funding cuts for PhDs and Masters (bbc.co.uk)
Mark Salvatus’ Secret Garden 2 Critique
Silip sa Selda Kinse by: Maria Portia Olenka C. Placino Sa isang tunay na selda—madilim, masikip, mabaho. Hindi makakilos. Walang buhay. Hindi makahinga. Nakakulong. Halos mahawakan ang katabi, naamoy ang mga pawisang katawan. Hindi makatakas sa isang kahon na walang buhay. Ganito ang selda, and kulungan. Walang pag-asa. Walang patutunguhan. Halaman. Liwanag. Pag-asa. Ito ang... Continue Reading →
Rodel Tapaya’s Bulaklak ng Diwa Critique
Beyond Kabunyan: Visual Narrative of Contemporary Filipino Mythologies by: Maria Portia Olenka C. Placino Engulfed yet segregated—Rodel Tapaya elicits into visual imagery the contemporary Filipino mythologies amidst the post-colonial re-interpretation of folklore in his exhibit “Bulaklak ng Dila.” Reminiscent of platilya for Filipino saints, heavily detailed frames of silver-coated tin sheet on wood emphasize six... Continue Reading →
Portia Placino 