A continuing Curators Converse for the Visayan Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA ExCon) Virtual Conference 2 (VCon 2), with the theme “KALIBUTAN: The World in Mind,” featured the head curator Dr. Patrick Flores and Region 7 curators Jay Jore and Maria Taniguchi as well Region 8 curators Nomar Miano and Mars Briones on January 16.
Flores expressed that there is a shift from locating the art world in society to the social world of art.
It needs a mediation process addressed towards the social dimension of art and it is important to develop a venue of social imagination.
He commented on the art’s scale and materiality, density and disappearance as well as the influence of place and geography on art.
He acknowledged the welcome development regarding non-discursive and discursive communication through sonic performance and visual renditions of work to highlight both auditory and visual planes.
Jay Jore discussed the art world in Cebu, mentioning the UNESCO Creative City of Design, Cebu as the Milan of Asia, some design-driven creative practice and Cebu’s art scene that functions outside the gallery system.
He said that there is only one established commercial gallery in Cebu, artists tend to be regarded in the community in the same way one regards a work or design, there is an emphasis on user-centeredness of design versus artistic intention and expression, the need for institutional intervention given the lack or absence of institutions of art aside from the academe, some artist-run initiatives and artists who create strategies to run locally.
Jore further shared that the Kalibutan exhibition is a necessary action in addressing the emergence of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He reflected on the question of how art assists in everyday life to meet emergencies and how can this be translated into art-making.
He discussed the urban movement in Kalibutan and the possibility of “Sikit-sibug” (compress, expand) that refers to human dynamics.
Looking into the complex, complicated, unique kalibutan of urban communities through the lens of artists and putting emphasis on art as a form of social engagement, Jore is featuring Cebu artists with intimate familiarity with the fabric of the city to include SOLITARYO CINCO with Sebastian D. Penayes III/BASTINUOD, John Villoria, Mark Anthony Copino/KIDLAT, Khriss Ihmmanuelle Bajade/BAKH, and Mona Alcudia.
Maria Taniguchi, on the other hand, looks at Kalibutan as a vague notion, cognition plus speculation plus the universe. She feels that artists always have the freedom and presented Kitty Taniguchi’s painting using the lens of structural foreknowledge and organizing matter into a world view.
She discussed her “Kalibutan” process and shared that initial research was done online, she approached the task as an artist, established works that bring us back to the present, faced the challenge to materiality, and considered the philosophical as well as the practical.
She is working with artist Gabi Nazareno on dispersal into emptiness which is graphite on canvas, and Retired Artist with exhibitions and performances where the performer will engage in sculpting and singing.
Nomar Miano of Region 8, on the other hand, explored the ecology of art as a response and engagement in terms of agencies plus interface plus systems and structures.
To him, “Kalibutan” is awareness, consciousness and the world, the total of all appearances, a systematic unity. The elements that go into this perception are tradition and mediation, he looks at art as an institution with democracy.
He also discussed geography that produces space for art. His artists include Soika Vomiter with PANIC BOX, which engages the chaotic interior of the artist’s consciousness as well as implicates the anarchy of visual and auditory mediations in real life; the Regional Art Forum Collaborators which includes the Community Art Archive Team and Cultural Workers from Samar; Ivy Marie Apa, Geraldine Ocampo, Nikka Lindo, Donna Medenilla, Santy Perez Leano, Fenna Joyce Moscare and Eden Brillo. He described the modalities as oriented in time and space, recorded conversations, text/graphic presentations and audio-video broadcast.
Last for this session but definitely not the least is Mars Briones who discussed artistic and cultural production in Tacloban. He is looking forward to more collaboration between art-related groups in the interest of a more vibrant art and culture scene.
He discussed “Kalibutan” in the context of self-awareness both world and consciousness, as well as the heightened focus on processes. He is working with a more culturally-specific theme of ‘the world is full of slippery turns’ pertaining to the turn of events and circumstances in a world that is emergent. He will be working with artists Popo Amascual on sonic performance and RV Sanchez on sonic, photo and video performances. (Additional text by Vincent Rose Sarnate)*