The inaugural theme of Portraits, launched in 2021, was selected as a response to the prolonged isolation that many experienced throughout the pandemic. Our collective experience was impaired by a limited connection to other humans, and as the opportunity to hold physical exhibitions returned, the group aimed to center on humans, and the various interpretations artists would have on the theme. The beauty of portraiture is that it presents an interaction between the sitter and the photographer, much like engaging in conversation. Good portraits are rich with stories that viewers can quickly connect with. The theme thus served as a post-pandemic starting point for rebuilding personal relationships and developing communities beyond the screen.
The Portraits collection consisted of 420 artworks by 128 artists. The works were exhibited at 14 locations: The Alley at Karrivin, Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar & Kitchen, Cafe Fleur, Commune, Design Story, Futur:st, Kondwi, La Collina, Manila House, OTO, The Spirits Library, Orange Project in Bacolod, 58 EJ Blanco Studios in Dumaguete, and Ariniego Gallery at Silliman University. FotomotoPH published a photo book with the complete Portraits collection.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Neal Oshima. Veejay Villafranca. Gio Panlilio. Jason Quibilan. Francisco Guerrero. Raena Abella. Tom Epperson. E.S.L Chen. Wawi Navarroza. Jes Aznar. Apa Ongpin. Bencab. Regine David. Mj Suayan. Geloy Concepcion. Mark Nicdao. Lilen Uy. Steve Tirona. Ezra Acayan. Brian Sergio. A. Chester Ong. Sonny Thakur. Jojo Mamangun. Aeson Baldevia. Benjo Campomanes. Nico Sepe. Claro Cortes IV. Sela Gonzales. Billy Mondonedo. Z.li Christian Halili. Jan Mayo. Augustine Paredes. Kimberly Dela Cruz. Jar Concengco. Ennuh Tiu. Karl Castro. Edsimon. Gox. Jay Yao. Iya Forbes. Floyd Jhocson. Benjo Campomanes. John Eric Bico. Choi Alcabasa. Idan Cruz. Kimberly Dela Cruz. Dar San Agustin. Art Calupig. Boy Yniguez. Ding Gerrous. Rj Fernandez. Christine Chung. Jan Sunday. Koji Arboleda. Fourth Barleta. Angela Silva. Jed. Ian Robert Yao. Baru Dacasin. Andrea Beldua. George Calvelo. Ag De Mesa. Johnlord. Arabella Paner. Artu Nepomuceno. Tonio. Jl Javier. Terence Ver. Panch Borromeo. Ben Molina. Leah De Leon. Miguel De Quiros Meg Manzano. Mhygsz Gomez II. Ken Prado. Jun Barrameda. Jovel Lorenzo. Luis Liwanag. Carina Altomonte. Enzo Razon. Edwin Tuyay. Kidlat De Guia. Geric Cruz. Ramon Tan Mangila. Emman Peregrin. Aya Cabauatan. Milo Sogueco. Adobong Papel. Martin San Diego. Niko Francisco Pilar Bonnin. Rxandy Capinpin. Mm Yu. Kimmy Baraoidan. Jones Palteng. Jilson Tiu. Lancer. Am. Ienne. Jeeb Baldonado. Katherine Jack. Elmer Lim. Bien Bautista. Cindy Aquino. Mark Cristino. Jay Javier. Erwin Canlas. Boboy Francisco. April Ledesma. Carmen Del Prado. Dennis Tan Yu. Enrique Bejar. Hersley Ven Casero. Inah Mara. Jem Campos. Jonathan Montalvo. Ma Jimenez. Michael John Camingay. Myish Endonilla. Patrick Maapni. Benzi Raul Arambulo. Roberto Coscolluela. Tin Palattao.
No Algorithm, No Entropy
This is your room. Who needs windows when the world is just a swipe away anyway? You get through the grind to these four walls, curl up in the corner, and go back into the world again. What is sleep but a simultaneous mindless consumption of memories? Tomorrow, it shall be the same again.
From the lenses that live out the urban experience, this exhibit brings to this space the paradoxical elephant in the room where everything and nothing comes together. You live out this routine from sound, movement, images, and structures. The artists’ perspectives show us glimpses of how the digital and global spaces are arranged, targeted, and designed to reach specific audiences. As you enter this space, as you engage with each work and find that these experiences are similar to yours, you add up to what creates the urban narrative. Collectively, this is how you get to experience a room in the city. Your views are shared.
But what if you find a work that sparks a different and new insight? Perhaps it was from how your daily commute felt different for another person. It could also be from a familiar beat that took a new form for another. Or in the humane reminder that each person’s everyday is still incomparably theirs, no matter how rote it might seem on the grand scheme of things.
This is your room. Whose voices get to dictate how the world can become? You wake up and realize that so long as this city bends to monopolies of power, every day is a feed that wastes away our time. How do you get back to un-curated lives? Tomorrows were dreamt in four corners like this: so dream.
-Jo Almanzor
NO ALGORITHM, NO ENTROPY
1–20 JUNE 2024
Ramon Afable
Rhex Dacaymat
Nichole Fern
James Fowler
Shara Francisco
Frankie Lalunio
Iniel Gerecho
Sela Gonzales
Gino Javier
Joee Mejias
Jose Olarte
Matthew Rodriguez
Apol Sta Maria
Niki Lang
David Sulit
Jan Sunday
***
Exhibition Opening:
1 JUNE | 5-10PM
The Art of Self-Transformation
The Art of Self-Transformation is my exploration of “Fire”, sustainability and the principles of alchemy, focusing on transformation. I’d like to bridge the gap between precision of digital fabrication and the tactile, hands-on nature of traditional jewelry casting.
To highlight where the biofilaments are derived, Coconut, sugar cane, and corn are my chosen “Objects of Affection“
With the guide of MOLD I was able to get detailed 3d scans or photogrammetry of the three to be miniaturized and printed using biofilaments. The prints then serve as molds for the traditional Delft clay casting process where I melt recycled silver that was collected through ELEMENTAL to create a silver cast of the figure of itself.
With the principles of alchemy in the creative process, the act of casting recycled silver into figures of itself parallels the alchemist’s quest to transmutation. Fire represents the ritual of purification to reveal the true essence of self. The energy of change, symbolizing physical transformation where something old is made new, or transforming it back to itself.
Silver cast of Coconut, sugar cane, and corn is made.
The “Fire” project is not just about creating jewelry &/ objects; it’s about forging connections—between the past and the future, between nature and technology, and between people and the objects they cherish — The art of transforming itself back to itself.
NAKED CITY: Futures from the Crossroads
A slew of different communities speaking different indigenous and non-indigenous languages compose the many barangays that make up Baguio City. This map includes a large number of people who have come to the city to study or work. Under the fog, where the city is at its most naked, the perception of place informed by cross-community and circular migration includes a contemporary performance of indigeneity, a power to participate in the local economy or its politics of belonging.
This exhibition presents a survey of artists whose works relate to an identity of Baguio City based on cross-community migrations that have contributed to the rise of soft powers, which here means affecting change through culture derived from its Indigenous communities.
Opening Reception: 6PM November 08, 2024 at the Baguio Cultural and Convention Center, Baguio City, Philippines
Exhibition runs from November 08 to December 08, 2024
Exhibiting Artist
Andrea Lucido
Bong Sanchez
Dehon Taguyungon
Eddie De Guzman
Gail Vicente
Jem Delos Reyes
John Frank Sabado
Kawayan De Guia
Leonard Aguinaldo
Martin Allama
Mervine Aquino X Benjamin Meamo III
Naida X Magenta X Faye Olayo
Nona Garcia
Oliver Olivete
Randy Gawwi Bulayo
Ruben Domingo
Sultan Mang-osan
Sela Gonzales
Tommy Hafalla
Zamae Pacleb
Curated By
Rocky Acofo Cajigan
#artph #baguio #contemporaryart #softpower #baguioart #cordilleranart #artexhibition #ibagiw #ibagiwfestival #ibagiw2024