I moderated an artist talk by Nice Buenaventura and Jo Tanierla last February 23, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9kYw_70WEYw Note lifted from Ateneo Art Gallery: We continue with the last of our Ateneo Art Awards 2021 lecture series by inviting Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Arts winners, Nice Buenaventura and Jo Tanierla. In this session moderated by Portia... 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 →
Concurrence at West Gallery
Well, this is my first writing project of the year (outside of the 2013 backlogs). Aside from that, this is also a first for me to create an exhibition note for a gallery exhibition. Thanks to Leslie de Chavez for providing this great learning moment. It was fun working with him and meeting a number... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Former West Propositions
Former west brown bag from Portia Placino The Former West Congress: Documents, Constellations, and Prospects was participated in by around 150 students form all over the world. The levels of engagement in the Congress differed from the particular research focus and interests of the participants. The Learning Place, as programmed by Boris Buden, was focused... Continue Reading →
Dancing in a Dream
Finding the Clärchens Ballhaus is one of the most unbelievable experiences in Berlin. I never would have been able to if I didn't join the walk in the city with Nina Fischer and Maroan el Sani. I learned a lot from that walk. But for now, its about finding the Clärchens Ballhaus at Augustraße 24.... Continue Reading →
Art Conversations: Critical Art Practices in the Philippines
A hundred and fifty years after Jose Rizal’s death, about a hundred years after Marcel Duchamp’s The Fountain, where do we actually find ourselves? We are still stuck in the conventions of the great masters of the great museums all over the world. At least, it appears that we are. How did we get here?... Continue Reading →
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 →
Portia Placino 