The Expat

With a Little Help from my Kaibigan (The Corona Impeachment Trial)

2012-01-22T11:17:00.000+08:00

The Thursday & Friday sittings of the Impeachment Trial of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Renato Corona, saw the prosecution lift their game. They advised the court of the order of their presentation of the articles of impeachment, well the first three of the eight (2, 7 and 1). They then started the presentation of documentary evidence related to Article Two which relates to the charges of graft and corruption leveled against Chief Justice Corona.

The Defense raised a series of objections ranging from the relevance of properties owned by Corona’s relatives to the actual validity of the Impeachment Article itself. The Presiding Officer of the court, Senate President, Juan Ponce-Enrile, in an attempt to expedite the proceedings, recognized the on-going nature of the objections and ordered both the Defense and the Prosecution to present written arguments pertaining to the issues.

The first witness for the Prosecution was the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal. She was subpoenaed to not only attend the court but to bring Corona’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for the time he has been a member of the Supreme Court, documents of intense public speculation. The Prosecution was unable to get the Clerk to hand over Corona’s SALNs to the court and it was left to Senator-judge Franklin M. Drilon, a staunch ally of President Aquino, to get them into the light of day.

The senator-judges are at liberty to ask questions of witnesses along with the defense and the prosecution counsels and are immune from objections from either of the legal teams. It is also interesting to note that a significant number of the senator-judges ask their questions in Filipino. The proceedings, both written and oral are being conducted in English which for the majority of Filipinos is a second language. The senator-judges reverting to their mother tongue does raise a speculation about their understanding of the nuances of the trial’s primary language.

Putting the Real into Reality TV (The Corona Impeachment Trial)

2012-01-18T12:13:00.001+08:00

12 Angry Men is one of my all time favourite movies. In fact if a movie has a court scene I will be watching. I even watched the early TV series of Law & Order until it became repetitious.

So you can imagine my joy at the live TV coverage of the Corona Impeachment Trial that started on Monday 16^th January. From 2pm on each day of the trial I will be glued the box, the cut and thrust of the prosecution and defense and the determinations of the judge as he keeps them to the task at hand is grist to my mill.

When I first heard of this latest impeachment attempt I was skeptical. Since arriving in the Philippines, six years ago, impeachment attempts have been a growth industry. Nearly every year unsuccessful attempts to impeach the past President, Gloria Arroyo, have been part of the background noise that informs the electorate.

That this one made it to trial had to my mind many of the hallmarks of a Kangaroo trial. Under the influence of the current President, Benigno Aquino III, who has been at loggerheads with the Supreme Court for most of his Presidency, the Congress of the Philippines instigated impeachment proceedings against the court’s Chief Justice, Renato Corona, for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption. The Senate of the Philippines is charged with conducting the trial that validates the accusations with the President of the Senate acting as the Presiding Officer and the rest of the Senate as Judges.

Day one went pretty much as expected. The Senate was never going to give up its moment in the sun which saw the defense’s application for a pre-trial rejected. The rest of the hour and forty minutes of the sitting was taken up with motherhood statements from the Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile and the predictable opening statements from the prosecution and the defense.

Day two saw Enrile impose his authority on proceedings as the trial’s presiding officer. Firstly, through a 14 to 6 vote of confidence from his fellow senators that confirmed his ruling against an application for a subpoena to bring Corona’s family before the court. Secondly, when the leader of the prosecution, Rep. Niel Tupas, questioned the Presiding Officer’s implication that an impeachment is more like a criminal trial than a civil one and should be conducted accordingly. Enrile read a succinct opinion to the court confirming his point of view. When pushed by Rep. Niel Tupas , Enrile admitted he was the author of the opinion which saw the leader of the prosecution quietly resume his seat.

The prosecution then proceeded to kick a couple of own goals. They managed to annoy the court by changing the presentation order of the articles of Impeachment leaving both the senator-judges and the defense unprepared. After promising to have the revised order tabled the following day the prosecution attempted to start presenting its evidence. It was then discovered that they had no witnesses to verify the documents they wanted to enter as evidence.

Presiding Officer Enrile then adjourned the proceedings to the following day to allow them time to get their act together.

Reality TV doesn’t get much better than this.

The Ghost of Marcos

2011-08-12T23:09:00.000+08:00

The premature closing of the Kulo exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has found its way into the world’s media not so much for its questionable content but for the fact that it was closed due to the intervention of the Philippine President.

The open sentence from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) website says it all “An art show featuring a poster of Jesus Christ with a wooden penis glued to his face was closed Tuesday after President Benigno Aquino intervened amid threats, vandalism and claims of blasphemy.” (Emphasis mine)

The outrage that flows from artist’s poking their tongues out at the religious establishment happens on a fairly regular basis. Last year a woman in Colorado attacked Enrique Chagoya’s "The Misadventures of Romantic Cannibals" with a crowbar because it depicted Jesus receiving oral sex. In 2005 we saw the furor that erupted over the publication of an unflattering series of cartoons depicting the the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Andres Serrano’s 1987 photograph “Piss Christ” has been physically attacked with blunt and not so blunt instruments when exhibited in both France and Australia. But the head of a country stepping in, now, that is a first in quite some time and a cause for concern.

A group exhibition, Kulo, opened on June 17 and was scheduled to be on show until August 21. A week ago a TV crew did a story on the exhibition and in the best “if it bleeds, it leads” tradition focused on the naughty bits. The aforementioned poster of Jesus Christ with a wooden penis glued to his face and a second depiction of the Christian deity with a clown’s nose and the Disney rodent’s ears. They are two small parts of Mideo Cruz’s “Poleteismo” which translates as ‘many beliefs’ or ‘many deities’ and is a three-wall installation with a large variety of images.

Prior to the President’s call, the CCP had been staunchly defending the exhibition citing the country’s constitutional right to free speech as their rationale. The day following the presidential call the exhibition was closed. A statement justifying the closure said "With an increasing number of threats to persons and property... the board of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines has decided to close down the main gallery."

Yeah, right.

The President may not have said jump, although it is reported that he told the CCP staff “he opposed the artwork” sight unseen, as far as one can tell. The CCP’s timing suggests they have guessed how high.

As worrying as this censorship is, President Aquino’s interpretation of constitutional rights is a cause for greater concern. Whilst in general terms he is correct when he states “There is no freedom that is absolute” the freedom of speech has been constitutionally enshrined so that offensive statements can be made. It is a freedom that underpins the influential 19^th Century liberal philosopher John Stuart Mills’ words “. . . there ought to exist the fullest liberty of professing and discussing, as a matter of ethical conviction, any doctrine, however immoral it might be considered."

With the freedom of speech being amongst the first casualties in a totalitarian state and in the light of the Philippines’ recent history many with an attention span that extends past the next commercial break will be wondering if the leopard has indeed changed its spots.

The Eloquence of Silence

2011-07-08T12:59:00.004+08:00

In May, racism in Australia once again made its way into the world’s headlines. Navi Pillay, the UN Human Rights Commissioner was reported by the China Daily News, amongst others, as saying there was a strong undercurrent of racism in Australia. "There is a racial discriminatory element here which I see as (the) rather inhumane treatment of people, judged by their differences, racial, colour or religions," China’s largest English language daily reported her as saying.

Four days before the end of June, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) online Opinion page, The Drum, published an article which inadvertently provided a clue to the depth of this undertow that pollutes the perception of the Land Down Under around the world in general and Asia in particular. In an article about the National Broadband Network, The only NBN monopoly seems to be on ignorance, its author, Stilgherrian stated “There will still be cheap ISPs offering over-crowded international links and a call centre in the Philippines that might finally answer your call after an hour on hold, only to present you with a human who barely understands what email is.”

The extent of the ignorance that underscores this statement is only exceeded by The Drum reader’s mute acceptance. With over 12 million more internet users than Australia, it should come as no surprise that the average urban Filipino’s IT knowledge and hands on experience encompasses all levels of society.

I live in the inner city suburb of Poblacion, a stone’s throw from the central business district of Makati. The compound I call home has four houses with seven computers connected to the internet of which only one is owned and operated by the Kano (foreigner). A five minute walk from my front door, in this un-gated working class suburb, gives me access to half a dozen internet cafes which at 20 pesos (a little under 50 cents) an hour is an affordability that attests to their sustained popularity.

Recognised as the world’s third largest English speaking country, a second language about which the Philippine Government claims 75% of the country’s 99 million inhabitants are fluent, Call Centers have been a major growth industry for the last decade. Unlike Australia where the admission of being a call center agent is mumbled into a beer followed by a quick change in the conversation, in the Philippines it is job that often evokes envy.

My nephew-in-law, Rod Corpuz, who has a BSc in Agriculture, works the grave yard shift for one of the bigger call centers. He says “the money is too good to ignore.” And he is not alone. A graduate teacher can earn double the teacher’s wage on a call center’s base salary and for a top performer the performance bonuses can almost triple the teacher’s stipend.

Stilgherrian’s piece attracted a goodly number of comments, 173 before being closed, which argued the merits and otherwise of the NBN along with displays of ideological bias that underpin many of the stances this strangely controversial topic attracts. But, amongst them all, not one challenged the racial stereotyping inherent in the underlying assumption that Filipinos are computer illiterate especially in comparison to their Australian counterparts.

This silence gives eloquent support to the China Daily’s reading of the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s comments about the undercurrent of racism exists in Australia. A mise en scène about which the American writer, Mark Twain said “that eloquent silence, that geometrically progressive silence, which often achieves a desired effect where no combination of words, howsoever felicitous, could accomplish it.”

But, perhaps the final word should be left to one of the first to comment on the article, the “VillageIdiot”, who said in part “Thanks for a clear, balanced & factual article.”

Mmmmmmmmm

The Fall Guy

2010-12-09T21:24:00.001+08:00

Julian Assange is cooling his heels in a British prison as he awaits his day in court on Tuesday, December 14. On that day he will discover whether he is to be sent to Sweden to face 4 counts of sexually inappropriate behavior which include an accusation of rape. With Geoffrey Robinson QC, the human rights lawyer par excellence, rumored to be flying back to the Old Bailey to take part in the proceedings it is destined to be compelling reading.

The interesting part of all this is that back in August when these allegations first saw light of day, Assange was in Sweden and the initial charges were dropped and he was allowed to leave the country. Since then Cablegate has happened.

It is an interesting description for the WikiLeaks exposés to be called Cablegate. Does this have something to do with the gated communities that the privileged elites build for themselves? Could it be supposed that if, when reading this you are in such a community, you are part of the problem rather than the solution? But I digress.

Now there is overt political pressure, read Joe Lieberman and Amazon as one example, being placed upon anyone who has an association with WikiLeaks the question does arise, what pressure is being placed upon Sweden? Unfortunately there are no leaks on this subject.

But as Assange does is porridge, presumably sans an internet connection, the infant terrible website keeps drip feeding its selected MSM outlets with juicy tidbits.

I mean just how dumb are our political masters? Do they really think that WikiLeaks is just one person? Do they think that if they chop off one hydra head another 100 won’t take its place?

It is the problem that got them into this mess in the first place. Whilst they continue to dissemble be assured the truth will come out eventually. And as to Julian Assange, the fall guy, I wish you all the best of British luck.

And The Subject Is

2010-11-09T18:02:00.004+08:00

“The subject of drawing is drawing itself," said the 2010 Dobell Prize for Drawing judge, Sydney artist Alun Leach-Jones, in his comments about Suzanne Archer’s winning work Derangement. He elaborated about his decision saying “Suzanne Archer’s winning work clearly shows her awareness of this profound aspect of the art of drawing – regardless of its apparent subject matter.”

Archer’s charcoal, ink and chalk pastel work, which the judge described as “expressive, darkly poetic and full of drama”, is a self portrait in which she is surrounded by the paraphernalia of her studio. A dehydrated kangaroo, a horse’s head sculpture along with a dead bird, snake skins, skulls, shells and various kinds of road kill, that have either been donated or found in nearby bush land, decorate the artist’s working space. "People say my studio's a little bit like a museum," she told The Australian newspaper.

Her interest in dead animals stemmed from a series of drawings she made in 2002 at Sydney University’s veterinary laboratories. About her subject matter Archer told the Sydney Morning Herald ''Often they're quite contorted and they're much more interesting poses than a live animal.” The 65 year old artist also said "Because I'm a mature-age artist, there is some concern with what the afterlife is about. I suppose because I've worked a lot with those animals that are actually dead, there is a link to thinking about life and death."

The Dobell Prize for Drawing is Australia’s most prestigious award for drawing, with a purse of $25,000 for the winning artist. The acquisitive award was initiated by the Trustees of the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation in 1993 and is administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Derangement along with the 45 finalists selected from 635 entries is on show at The Art Gallery of New South Wales until January 30 next year. More information is available at the Gallery’s website, here.

SummerTime

2010-05-17T12:24:00.006+08:00

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A series of new work made over the summer months

Easter Filipino

2010-04-10T15:35:00.002+08:00

Nanay's Piano

2010-04-08T13:51:00.001+08:00

Nanay's piano (2010)
Archival inkjet print of a manipulated photograph
16" x 12"

A New Still Life

2010-04-05T23:04:00.003+08:00

God Bless Our Home (2010)
Archival inkjet print of digitally manipulated photograph
16" x 12"

More New Work

2010-04-02T20:46:00.004+08:00

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Continuing on my interest in the manipulation of language in the vein of "The Sign Says" series these new works look at the proposition from a couple of different angles.

Like an Argument of Insidious Intent (2010)

5 archival inkjet prints of manipulated digital scans
each 16"x12"

Wall Labels (2010)
6 archival inkjet prints of manipulated photographs
each 16"x12"

Poblacion Becomes an Art Gallery

2010-04-01T18:41:00.003+08:00

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This is the 6th year that I have been walking around the barangay I call home enjoying the art created by my fellow residents. I wrote about it a couple of years ago, you can see the post here.

For those who wish to enjoy the art first hand I have made a map of the kalbaryo locations. It takes a good couple of hours to do the full circuit and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Enjoy. (click on the map for a larger version)

A New Work

2010-04-01T10:20:00.001+08:00

Ceci n'est par un baiser (2010)
Archival inkjet Print
16" x 12"

Photography as an Art Commodity

2010-02-15T08:16:00.021+08:00

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As part of the "An Aussie in Manila" exhibition currently showing at Sinning Kamalig I gave an illustrated artist's talk last Saturday. For thsoe who missed it here is a transcript of the talk along with some of the pics.

The above is a photograph of the world’s most expensive work of art to be sold at auction. It’s Alberto Giacometti’s sculpture Walking Man I. The bidding started at $12m, 10 Bidders and 8 minutes later it was knocked down $104.3m. That’s $11.5m a minute, nice money if you can get it.

But how much would you pay for this photograph of the statue? Not that much for sure, heck you can download it from the net and make a print for about 15/20 pesos.

And therein lays one of the major dilemmas facing documentary photography. This is especially true of the stock photography market with the majority of the product of what was once a lucrative market now selling at 20 cents a pop.

Now you can do the Spencer Tunick trick of getting people to strip naked at some landmark destination call it an art happening and document the event. Like in the above pic of 600 people on a Swiss glacier commissioned by Greenpeace, although if others document the event the market is shot. Tunick overcomes this problem by restricting access to the site in the name of protecting the dignity of the participants. As a result he has the pics and if you want to see what happened at the happening, who you gonna call?

An alternative is Cindy Sherman’s approach. She dresses up in fancy costumes and shoots a self portrait. Her portrayal of Cinderella, above, is not your Disney presentation of Prince Charming’s desired squeeze, but then that’s Sherman’s bag; the representation of the feminine that challenges the main stream.

Then there is the presentation of the counter culture of sex and drugs and rock’n’roll. Nan Goldin has done very nicely from her work in the 60’s & 70’s. The above pic (Trixi on a cot, NYC, 1979) Reminds me of that great Tom Stoppard line “By the light of a post coital Craven A,” which hails from the same era.

But segue forward 30 years to the work of Dash Snow.

And this aesthetic gets right in your face. The anti always travels in a 'bare' more direction.

For all of these the works of art exist outside the camera, either manufactured or observed, all the camera does is record the moment, make a snapshot if you will. These art works are also transitory, existing for just a moment in time in the case of Goldin and Snow, for as long as she stays in the costume for Cindy Sherman and about 20 minutes for Tunicks happenings. So how does the artist make a living from their art? By recording it for posterity and controlling the supply.

Which is another layer of complexity added to the paradox that all artists face; of not making works to gain public approval, to be liked or to be commercial, yet its necessity to make a living? Of which this talk is a part.

But, there are alternatives to the still photograph such as video for recording these ephemeral events and if you tube and the amount of video art appearing in galleries is anything to go by video is becoming a major contender.

Consequently the future of the photographic medium, like painting before it, lies within the medium, which the post processing capabilities of the computer has made very accessible.

I am a painter at heart who a decade ago adopted the camera and the computer as my principal art making tools and now instead of pushing paint around with a brush I push pixels around with a mouse.

It has been a journey of false starts, getting lost and taking steps backwards. The first pics I was prepared to show in public were from a series dubbed the Neon Series. It was almost like learning to draw again.

After a trip to the US and New York the work started to expand.

But I was getting very tired of the black velvet look and they morphed into this.

The building of a multi level car park inspired the Ripple Series of works.

Arriving the Philippines saw the making of what I call my tourist pics. It was all so new and different.

Then my friend and fellow photographer, Steve Axford, introduced me to a post production process that led to the deconstructed pics I make now.

Although I am pretty sure I stuffed up his process as my work is a lot more abstract than his, or perhaps that is just me.

The above work came about through my limited ability with Tagalog. When the family gets together and start talking in Tagalog at 100 mph I am left watching the body language. To represent this visually I went and shot street signage and deconstructed the shots until the language disappeared.

This is being followed up by the instruction works.

Having brought myself a scanner I am making works from the instruction manuals that come with various toys. For I often find them as indecipherable as room full of people talking Tagalog.

Of course there are other artists out there who are working within the medium and pushing the pixels about.

One of the best is Andreas Gursky. The above shot of the Formulae 1 race track in Bahrain I find particularly appealing.

Likewise LA Artist/photographer Michael Going and his distressed Polaroids.

And then there is Shephard Fairey and his Obama Poster.

Although, he has got himself into a lot of hot water for nicking the original pic for his poster from the internet and not crediting its creator. AFP is suing him for copyright violation but because of his 'remixing' of the pic he is claiming Fair Use. The judge’s decision on that is going to have far reaching implications, not least of which will be a legal definition of what is a photograph.

Many, I suspect, are hoping that the judge is for change.

An Aussie in Manila

2010-01-14T21:05:00.003+08:00

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In the tradition of children the world over who pull their toys apart to see what makes them tick, the exhibition “An Aussie in Manila” deconstructs the adopted lifestyle of Philippine-based Australian artist Henry Bateman. In a visual exploration of his 4 years in the Philippine capital and through his unique approach to photography he examines and comments upon his Manila experience.

From a Metro Manila Shopping Mall to the Holy Week celebrations, from observations of the local art scene to a self critical appraisal of his own work, the work in this exhibition is an intellectual journey colored by an antipodean aesthetic.

What is it that distinguishes Manila in the eyes of this Aussie expat?

It’s not only the jumble of the urban streetscape or the overtly polite shop assistants. For Bateman there is more to this Filipino/Chinese/Spanish/American conglomerate. In this profligate meeting of East and West, where for most, the dance is attuned to the melody of the cash register his sojourn has become an enthralling escape from the eucalyptus.

Henry Bateman has been making art for over three decades. His first paid gigs were designing lighting and/or sets for a variety of Australian theatrical productions that ranged from straight theatre, through dance to musicals. In between these jobs he developed his studio practice.

He first showed his studio work in a group exhibition devoted to drawing at Sydney’s Boronia Gallery in 1984. This was followed by a solo exhibition of paintings, later in the same year, at the University of Western Australia. His 1985 exhibition “Hung up on a Wall” attracted controversy over the nudity depicted in the exhibition’s poster, a reproduction of one of the works on display.

At the turn of the century Bateman abandoned painting in favor of photographic based works. It was the post production facilities of the computer that attracted his interest. Over the years he has developed a unique approach to manipulating his photographs that enables him to express his thoughts about his subjects rather than rendering their literal representation. In 2007 a selection of these works were exhibited in Canberra at the Australian National University.

Bateman also writes regularly about the international arts scene for the Los Angeles based contemporary art website www.artslant.com and about the local art scene for the Philippine based Expat Travel & Lifestyle Magazine.

The “An Aussie in Manila” exhibition is part of the Australian Embassy’s celebration of its National Day on the 26^th of January, showcasing the best of Australian music and art. Known as Celebrate Australia 2010 it will also feature the exhibition White Hot: Contemporary Australia Glass, featuring the works of renowned Australian glass artists from January 27 to February 26 at the Ayala Museum. The Australia Day celebrations also include performances and master classes by didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton and the Orava String Quartet. The group is scheduled to perform on January 27 at Greenbelt 3 Park; January 28 at the Alabang Town Center; and January 29 at the TriNoma.

“An Aussie in Manila” will be Bateman’s fourth solo exhibition in the Philippines and his second at the Sining Kamalig Gallery which is situated on the 4^th level of the Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. The exhibition runs from January 28, 2010 through to February 21, 2010. And at 3pm on February 13 the artist, Henry Bateman, will give an Artist’s Talk entitled “Photographic Art as a Commodity”.

Four Months & Counting

2009-12-13T10:33:00.003+08:00

first published in News & Buzz London at www.artslant.com

The independent charity, The Art Fund has joined forces with the Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council to raise the £3.3 million necessary to keep the recently found Staffordshire Hoard in the West Midlands. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent have just under four months to raise the seven figure valuation set by the Treasure Valuation Committee for the Hoard.

Found in July by metal detectorist, Terry Herbert on a farm owned by Fred Johnson the Staffordshire Hoard is the largest and most valuable treasure find in British history. And should the valuation not be met the ownership of the treasure will revert to the finders for them do with as they see fit.

The Art Fund is an independent charity with some 80,000 members committed to saving art for everyone to enjoy. Since 1903 they have assisted more than 600 museums and galleries around the UK to save over 860,000 works of art, from priceless masterpieces which were under threat of being sold abroad, to acquiring fascinating works costing a few hundred pounds. Each year they provide about £4 million to museums and galleries to help them build the public collections of the future. They also led the 2001 successful campaign to extend free admission to all national museums and galleries.

Andrew Macdonald, Acting Director of The Art Fund, said: "This awe-inspiring hoard really must be kept in the West Midlands where it was unearthed. Since we were founded in 1903, The Art Fund has led many successful campaigns to save treasures such as this, and our success is down to the support of members of the public who care as much as we do about preserving the nation's heritage."

The public can donate to save the Staffordshire Hoard at www.artfund.org/hoard and more information about the Hoard itself can be found here.

Sleepless in Transit

2009-12-06T09:19:00.003+08:00

First published in News & Buzz at www.artslant.com

Friday December 4 was a day of relaxation for Stephane Guegan, the director of cultural services at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Charged with the delivery of 112 of Musee d’Orsay's best post–impressionist paintings half way across the world for the National Gallery of Australia’s exhibition Masterpieces from Paris, the exhibition had opened.

Described as the creme de la crème of the French museum’s collection, Mousier Guegan claimed that a decent night's sleep became elusive from the moment he first saw the insurance valuations of the works listed on paper - and that was before he even left Paris. For included amongst the 122 paintings are seven van Goghs, nine Gauguins, eight Cezannes and five Monets.

This exhibition of priceless paintings, which also includes works by Georges Seurat, Pierre Bonnard, Douanier Rousseau and Edouard Vuillard, are on loan whilst the Musee d’Orsay renovates its post-impressionist galleries. It is the first time they have been brought together in an exhibition outside of France.

After the Australian exhibition, which closes on April 5, 2010, Mousier Guegan will be faced with more disturbed nights as his charges travel to Tokyo and San Francisco before returning to the walls of the Musee d’Orsay.

More information about the Masterpieces from Paris can be found at the National Gallery of Australia’s web site, here.

Financial Boost for Aussie Artists

2009-11-27T08:41:00.002+08:00

First published in news & Buzz at www.artslant.com

Australian visual artists are set to receive an increase in the revenue generated by their work with the Australian National Government's passing of the long awaited resale royalty scheme.

Under the scheme artists whose work is re-sold in the secondary market for more than $1000 will receive a 5% royalty. Ex pop star and current Federal Arts Minister, Peter Garrett, said "It is only fair that artists and their descendants should share in the growing value of the artworks - particularly as value can grow substantially over time. In particular there will be benefits for Indigenous visual artists, who have experienced significant increases in the value of their work."

The Resale royalties will be collected and distributed to artists by a single collecting organization which is expected to be in place by mid 2010. The scheme will cover original works of art, such as paintings, collages, drawings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, an item of glassware or photographs made by living artists and/or their estates for up to 70 years.

It is expected that the royalty will be collected from overseas sales as well local sales especially from 49 countries that acknowledge a resale royalty right for visual artists. These countries include England, France, Germany, The Netherlands and the US State of California.

Further information about the Australian Resale Royalty scheme including a PDF link to all the countries that acknowledge a resale royalty right can be found here.

What a Picture - What a Photograph

2009-11-07T10:30:00.002+08:00

First published in News & Buzz at www.artslant.com

With the dust barely settled after FIAC the next annual art fair is girding its loins for its Paris exposition. Paris Photo 2009 will grace the Carrousel du Louvre Exhibition Hall from November 19 to 22 whilst another nine Paris galleries will be presenting exhibitions related to the photographic medium.

The Middle East is the focal point of this year’s fair with three exhibitions. The Central Exhibition will show a selection of rare images from the collections of the Arab Image Foundation in Beirut. The Statement Section will provide an overview of emerging talent from Tehran to Damascus, Beirut to Cairo and Tangiers to Dubai. And in The Project Room a program of video screenings will be on show, a display of the growing interest in this medium among the artists of the region.

A hundred and two exhibitors (89 galleries and 13 publishers) will be showcasing a wide variety of photography from the 19^th Century through to the present day. Created in 1997 by the Dutch Publisher, Rik Gadella, this year’s Paris Photo fair will be featuring the work of 500 international photographers. From Germany to the United States, from Japan to Morocco, the 2009 edition of Paris Photo is geographically diverse with selected participants coming from 23 countries.

The satellite exhibitions to the main event include “Michael Kenna, a retrospective” at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, “The Subversion of Images, Surrealism, Photography, Film” at the Centre Pompidou, “ August Sander : Seeing, Observing, Thinking” at the Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation, “Delpire & Cie” at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie ans “Federico Fellini, La Grande Parade” at the Jeu de Paume.

The Middle East focus expands out from the Carrousel du Louvre with exhibitions such as “Palestine, creation in all states” at the Arab World Institute, “Djân, Body and Soul” at VU Gallery, “150 years of Iranian Photography” at the Musée du Quai Branly, and “Iran 1979-2009 : Between Hope and Chaos, 30 years of Iranian Documentary Photography” at the Monnaie de Paris.

For more information about Paris Photo 2009 go to their web site, here.

7th Australian Film Festival in the Philippines

2009-11-04T14:54:00.003+08:00

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The Australian Embassy in Manila, Screen Australia, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt and Ayala Center Cebu present the 7th Australian Film Festival in the Philippines from 5-14 November.

The 6 award winning films in the festival are:

Unfinished Sky (R 13)
Director: Peter Duncan
When Tahmeena stumbles onto John’s isolated farm, he has no choice but to take her in. An illegal refugee, she's been badly beaten and speaks no English. While John's not inclined to welcome visitors, he’s even less inclined to involve the police. As they communicate through signs, pictures and a gradual understanding of each other's language, they begin to recover faith in themselves and their trust in humanity.
Selected Awards:
Toronto International Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Brisbane International Film Festival- Voted #1 film (2007), Best Film - Method Film Festival (2008)

The Black Balloon (PG 13)
Director: Elissa Down
Thomas and his family move to a new home. He has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother has to take things easy, his father puts him in charge of his autistic brother. With the help of his new girlfriend Jackie, Thomas faces his biggest challenge yet. A story about fitting in, discovering love, and accepting your family that is funny, confronting, and ultimately heart-warming.
Selected Awards:
Australian Film Institute 2008 AFI Award – Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Luke Ford)
Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear - Best Feature Film
Film Critic’s Choice of Australia – Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress

The Bank (PG 13)
Director: Robert Connolly
The Bank is a political thriller set in the world of high finance, a modern day story of alchemy.
Selected Awards:
2002: Göteborg Film Festival, Palm Springs International
2001: San Sebastian International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, London Int. Film Festival, and Vancouver International.

Danny Deckchair (PG 13)
Director: Jeff Balsmeyer
An ordinary bloke rockets out of his loveless relationship into a new world in which he gets the chance to stand out from the crowd and fall in love.
Selected Awards:
2003 Film Critics Circle of Australian nominated for Best Supporting Actor - Female Justine Clarke
2004 Paris Film Festival nominated Grand Prix – Jeff Balsmeyer

Garage Days (R 18)
Director: Alex Proyas
GARAGE DAYS is a film about one kids dream to be a rock star. Freddy learns there is more to being a rock star than just drugs and tunes. He learns about friendship, babies and love.
Selected Awards:
2003: Sundance Film Festival (USA)

The Hard Word (R 18)
Director: Scott Roberts
Three brothers have found a uniquely profitable way to spend their jail time. Crime does pay, and no one gets hurt – until they discover the catch. When sex and greed come between bad cops and good criminals, the consequences are fatal –for some.
Selected Awards/Festivals:
2002: Filmfest Hamburg, London Australia film Festival 4 x Australian Screen sound Awards.

Screening schedules for Manila and Cebu can be found here.

Muddying the Water

2009-11-02T20:10:00.004+08:00

First published in the News & Buzz section of www.artslant.com

Copyright questions raised by the fair use clause in the law, where appropriated material is used for the creation of a “new” work, are complex; so much so that the courts decide them on a case by case basis. In this digital age, the ubiquity of copyright infringement has ensured that the Associated Press/Shepard Fairey dispute over the “Hope Poster” is destined to remain front page news for some time to come.

Shepard Fairey lied to the court about which Associated Press photo he used as a basis for his “Warholianesque” poster and fabricated evidence of support has done his cause more harm than good. Fairey has stated “The new filings state for the record that the AP is correct about which photo I used as a reference and that I was mistaken. While I initially believed that the photo I referenced was a different one, I discovered early on in the case that I was wrong. In an attempt to conceal my mistake I submitted false images and deleted other images. I sincerely apologize for my lapse in judgment and I take full responsibility for my actions which were mine alone. I am taking every step to correct the information and I regret I did not come forward sooner.”

The fallout from this statement has seen his legal team withdraw from the case and Associated Press add the brand launched by Fairey, Obey Clothing, as a co-defendant. Associated Press have also claimed that Fairey profited from the work which was originally available as a free down load during the 2008 US Presidential race.

With copyright laws designed to encourage creativity and innovation, rather than restrain it, how the courts decide on this case will be of intense interest to artists and others for whom remixing is an important aspect of their work. As the LA Times editorial of November 1 concludes “The dispute between Fairey and the AP offers a chance to make that line a bit clearer. We don't think the court should condone his deception -- some kind of sanction would be appropriate. Yet that should not tip the balance the court must strike between creators and those who follow them.”

The Rembrandt Code

2009-10-24T11:25:00.003+08:00

first published in News & Buzz at www.artslant.com

One of the world’s great paintings, Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Night Watch, has become the star of avant-gard film maker, Peter Greenaway’s latest movie, Rembrandt's J'accuse.

Greenaway is most widely known for his films, The Draughtsman's Contract, a 17^th Century murder mystery, The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover, described as a corrosive allegory of life in contemporary England and his interpretation of Shakespeare's The Tempest, Prospero's Books. He trained as a painter but moved over to film making with the making of his first film ‘The Train’ in 1966. With his interest in Renaissance painting in general and the Flemish painters in particular, an influence that is a hallmark of many of his films, it is little wonder he should turn his attention to the 17^th Century masterpiece.

The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, more commonly known as ‘The Night Watch’ is renown for its size (11ft 10in x 14ft 4in), the effective use of chiaroscuro and the sense of movement in an otherwise traditionally static scene. It is on permanent display at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and is considered to be the museum’s most famous painting.

In ‘Rembrandt's J'accuse’, Greenaway presents the debatable conspiracy theory that Rembrandt, through subtle hints in the painting, puts all the characters involved in a complex and devious conspiracy to murder. The ‘evidence’ offered by Greenaway are the numerous details in the painting that were never noticed before or that were simply not correctly interpreted. He also implies that Rembrandt’s social and financial ruin that followed the completion of the work was an act of revenge by the paintings cast.

More information about Rembrandt and his work can be found here and about Peter Greenaway and his work, here.

Dream Factory with Photoshop

2009-10-19T09:48:00.003+08:00

First published in News & Buzz at www.artslant.com

Photoshop, the photographic post production tool of the new century, is either loved or despised by photographers, depending upon their aesthetic vision for the medium. But in Harry Brant Chandler’s exhibition “Dreamers in Dream City” it along with other computer processes comes into its own.

Chandler had only 15 minutes to get a snapshot of the Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry. From the architect’s conference room portrait of his interpretation of Rodin's Balzac, Chandler super-imposed the snapshot upon the Los Angeles’ landmark he created. And so it is with the other 54 portraits in the exhibition.

From aviator Amelia Earhart to the Watts Towers creator Simon Rodia, from musician Jim Morrison to author Raymond Chandler, all are placed within the context of the dreams they realized. "I wanted to place the subjects in the context of their specific environments that showed what their dreams were about," Chandler says.

Renown as the city of dreams, Los Angeles attracts hopefuls from around the world, particularly to the Hollywood studios. But this exhibition goes beyond tinsel town and celebrates the builders, the inventors, the artists, the folk heroes, the activists, the entrepreneurs, the discoverers as well as the entertainers.

As the executive director of the Museum of the American West at the Autry National Center, Jonathan Spaulding, says "What Harry has done is create something which is authentic to his interpretation of these particular people and the story of Los Angeles."

Chandler’s manipulated photographs are on display at the Autry National Center until January 3, more information and a selection of images from the exhibition can be seen here.

When is a Warhol Not a Warhol?

2009-10-17T09:55:00.003+08:00

First published in news & Buzz at www.artslant.com

Pop artist Andy Warhol was nothing if not prolific working as a painter, printmaker and filmmaker. The job of authenticating his work falls on the shoulders of the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc. which is a committee of the Andy Warhol Foundation.

Should a work fail the Board’s authentication, the word "DENIED" is stamped on the reverse making the work unsalable even if the decision should be reversed. When a work is submitted to the board its owner must sign a document stating they will not challenge the board’s verdict in a court of law before the board will look at it. And the Board is not required to divulge the reasons for its decision even in the case when it reverses a previous decision.

But this cloak of secrecy, which has annoyed more than one Warhol collector, is set to change. In a class action lawsuit brought by film producer Joe Simon-Whelan and other yet-to-be-named plaintiffs the judge, Laura Taylor Swain, gave the plaintiffs the right of "discovery" when dismissing The Foundation’s motion to dismiss the case.

Soon not only will the muddied waters that surround the authentication or otherwise of this 1965 "Red Self Portraits," silk screen print become a little clearer but any accusations about the Board’s competency and integrity will also be laid to rest.

A full discussion about this case can be seen here.

Still Life

2009-10-15T13:50:00.003+08:00

Still Life with Hose (2009)
Archival inkjet print of digitally manipulated photograph
16" x 12"

2009-10-15T10:01:00.003+08:00

First published in News & Buzz at www.artslant.com

Scientific evidence suggests that a 13 x 9in (33 x 24cm) portrait, in chalk, pen and ink on vellum, mounted on an oak board, which was sold at Christie’s New York in the late 1990s for $19,000 is a work by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Examination of the work by a “multispectral” camera, a process that reveals each successive layer of colour, and enables the pigments and pigment mixtures of each pixel to be identified without taking physical samples has found a finger print on the work that is “highly comparable” to one on a Leonardo work in the Vatican. This has seen Martin Kemp, Emeritus Professor of History of Art at Oxford University claim the work to be by Da Vinci. Although skeptical at first, this and his other research has confirmed the works authorship. “All the bits fell into place like a well-made piece of furniture. All the drawers slotted in,” he is reported to have said.

Now valued at over $160 million and titled “La Bella” the portrait is expected to go on display next March in the exhibition And There Was Light: The Masters of the Renaissance Seen in a New Light at Eriksbergshallen, Gothenburg, Sweden. The exhibitions artistic director, Professor Alessandro Vezzosi, is amongst the growing number of art historians who believe the portrait to be work of the Renaissance master.

Included in that number is Professor Carlo Pedretti, head of the Fondazione Pedretti for Leonardo studies who has said “this could be the most important discovery since the early 19th century re-establishment of the Lady with the Ermine as a genuine Leonardo”.

If It Bleeds, It Leads

2009-09-13T21:59:00.003+08:00

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“If it bleeds, it leads” is an aphorism that sums up a news room’s approach to prioritizing their forth coming news presentation with the more graphic (up to a perceived good taste point) the visual/s the higher up the greasy pole the story will be placed.

It was therefore with a gob smacked interest that I read the opening comments of Stephen Mayes, World Press Photo Secretary for six years, at the opening of the 2009 Photo Press awards. In essence he said “The overwhelming impression from the vast volume of images is that photojournalism (as a format for interpreting the world) is trying to be relevant by copying itself rather than by observing the world.”

Well, Duh! With damn near 50% of the World Press Photo of year going to either “Children in Distress” (17 out of 51) or “Men with Guns” (10 out of 51) what does he expect? Professional photographers in general and photojournalist photographers in particular are a pragmatic if not a cynical lot. And being professionals they do their home work to maximize their chances of winning, be it checking out the background for a photo shoot or a competition’s preferences.

If Mr. Mayes comments are more than rhetoric perhaps he should check the mote in his own eye before complaining about the splinter in another’s. For in its 54 year history, The World Press Photo of the year has never gone to a good news story.

Competition award winners are those who can best play to the gallery and in the case of the World Photo Awards it is a jury that ”consists of thirteen picture editors, photographers and representatives of press agencies from different parts of the world” whose daily mantra is “If it bleeds, it leads”.

Please note: Whilst the World Press Photo Award has been in existence form 1955, competitions were not held in 1959, 1961 & 1970. You can see the winners of the World Press Photo of the Year here.

A Paid Gig

2009-09-02T08:36:00.009+08:00

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Your humble scribe (yeah, right) has been appointed the Editor of the News and Buzz section at the contemporary art network, www.Artslant.com, and it’s a paid gig.

Artslant provides the most up to date information about visual arts events in the world’s major art cities. The dedicated Artslant team scourer the internet for the latest details of exhibitions in New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and Berlin, with Miami and India to be added in a few days. Galleries outside of these locations are included in the World wide section of the site.

The News and Buzz section, which can be accessed from the sites front page, also scourers the internet for stories of interest to both artists and collectors. From significant exhibition openings to resources to make the art lovers life easier, stories that plumb the local depth of Artslant’s global reach.

So if you are visiting one of our cities or are a resident and are in need of a visual arts fix Artslant has the information you need to scratch that particular itch.

Check it out Here.

Guest Artist @ Revad.com

2009-08-31T08:01:00.002+08:00

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British artist David Riley has done me the honour of posting one of my works in his web sites "guest artists" section. You can see his choice here. In His words "I chose this specific image to hang because of its exploration of the relationship between coded language and a very personal visual aesthetic."

And while you are there check out his work (duh) especially his intriguing piece "In the Out" which can be seen here.

Calling All Cricket Fans in NYC

2009-08-26T19:42:00.002+08:00

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No not the eleven a side, watching paint dry game that enthralls the last vestiges of where the sun never sets, but the “citizen scientists” of the Big Apple amongst which artists are counted too. New Yorkers are being called upon to go out on the evening of the 11 September and count bugs. OK, not actually count the little buggers, but to report locations where they can be heard.

Well the male crickets and Katydids as they rub their back legs together to get laid, interesting concept, sorta like disco but you make the music. But I digress, this is serious shit.

The mob at Proteus Gowanus Gallery are on board and you can get the full deal at http://www.discoverlife.org/cricket/. Interesting way to celebrate the anniversary.

Still Life

2009-08-24T20:06:00.004+08:00

Untitled #2 (2009

Archival Inkjet Print
16"x12"

Still Life with Clock (2009)
Archival Inkjet print
16"x12"

A Popular Event

2009-08-23T09:43:00.003+08:00

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Foyer, Friday 21 August, 2.45pm
Picture Courtesy of James Wagner at jameswagner.com

The above pic shows the crowd waiting to lay their $15 ($10 if you’re a student or a senior) down to see the New York Guggenheim’s exhibition of “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward" on its last Friday. According to the photographer, James Wagner, it took him and his partner a good 30 minutes to get the chance to part with their bucks.

Ok, so its summer in the Big Apple and most of the galleries are closed whilst their staffs soak up the sun. But even so it’s still a pretty impressive turn out. Maybe there is some validity in the “center of the art world” claim.

Find out more about “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward" here and read a fan’s response (yep, the same James Wagner) here.

Only Extraverts Need/Will Apply

2009-08-22T08:49:00.006+08:00

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Every hour another Brit rides the cherry picker to their hour on the plinth. And whilst the argument about whether it is art or anthropology rolls about in the plinths safety net the living statues strut their stuff.

Mostly unscripted and under rehearsed these performances, that range from busking tryouts to tub thumping for a favoured cause, are about as interesting as watching grass grow. Which even the Sky Channel concedes as it reduces 168 hours to 6 to 8 minutes for its weekly highlights.

Jonathan S gets ready for dinner at 1am
Courtesy of skyARTS

You can see skyARTS live feed here and the highlights here.

Whose Truth

2009-08-16T10:04:00.001+08:00

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Came across this editorial quote at the Asian Photography Blog “As digital processes proliferate in the industry, photography has lost its role as an objective witness.” It is a succinct paraphrasing of the thoughts behind the many photography blogs that see digital processing i.e. Photoshop, GIMP et al, as the boogey man of photography.

The implication is that an “objective witness” will tell “the truth” and before digital processing photography did just that. Wrong! Photography has been and always will be a subjective medium. Any truth that a photograph contains will be edited by the photographer. As the photographer takes compositional concerns into account when they jostle about for the best shot so the objectivity of the photograph is compromised by the photographer’s artistic concerns. For we all know that the pretty pic will sell a lot better than the dull one.

Then there is the static nature of still photography which will compromise its ability to portray anything more than a moment in time, for life is not static. What was true when the shutter was pressed can be turned on its head within the blink of an eye, as so often happens in the real world.

And this is without entering the muddy waters of trying to determine what is truth, objective or otherwise, for one person’s trash is another’s treasure. A photographer whose objective is to present their truth should welcome digital processing and master the associated tools to create images that are inclusive rather than exclusive. Images that show the object in the light of their concerns, which the post processing enabled by the digital has made that much easier.

Bugger I Missed It

2009-07-21T07:06:00.004+08:00

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Last week (July 13 to July 20) was National Hate Art Week in England where people were extolled to go to their local gallery and hate the art on the walls and plinths.

And to celebrate the event

INTERNATIONAL ART HATE BRIGADE - Artist Deluxe Collector's Edition
ARTIST: Harry Adams
TYPE: Artist Deluxe Collector's Edition. Pigment print on 310 gsm Hahnemuhle Turner Art Stock.
EDITION: 13 signed, numbered and stamped by the artist
SIZE: 42 cm x 30.5 cm

is just one of the many artworks available at their web site
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2009 Prix Pictet Shortlist

2009-07-20T06:22:00.005+08:00

Mémoire, 2006 by Sammy Baloji

The Shortlist for the 2009 Prix Pictet was announced a few days ago. Sponsored by the Geneva private bank Pictet & Cie, the Prix Pictet is the world’s first prize dedicated to photography and sustainability. It has a unique mandate – to use the power of photography to communicate crucial messages to a global audience; and it has a unique goal – art of the highest order, applied to the immense social and environmental threats of the new millennium.

You can see the top 12 here
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Come One, Come All

2009-07-12T07:37:00.001+08:00

There is a guy in the middle of London standing on a plinth making paper airplanes, stuffing them with folding money and throwing them to the passer bys. I kid you not. I just saw this dude do it over at http://www.oneandother.co.uk, the live web cam from the One & Other project at the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals.

He has just done it again and like the first one it nosedived to earth.

But why take my word for it go on over and see for yourself.

Every hour a different person will strut their stuff for 45 minutes longer than Andy predicted for the next 94 days. Already about 140 people have done their thing and there are another 2260 to go.

What would you do if you had an hour?

New Work

2009-07-10T14:34:00.001+08:00

Portrait of a Photographer

2009-07-03T08:50:00.002+08:00

Portrait of a Photographer (2009)
Archival inkjet on water color paper (20"x15")
Edition of 1 plus 1 Artist's Proof.

Three Portraits

2009-07-02T17:42:00.004+08:00

Architect/Sculptor Lor Calma (2009)
Archivial inkjet on water color paper 20"x15"
Edition of 1 plus 1 artist's proof

Curator Dr Renate Goldmann (2009)
Archival inkjet on water color paper 15"x20"
Edition of 1 plus 1 artist's proof

Terry Co (2009)
Archival inkjet on water color paper 15"x20"
Edition of 1 plus 1 artist's proof

Into Jazz read on

2009-07-01T19:49:00.002+08:00

The ABC, downunders fore most radio/television/internet news and entertainment provider have just launched ABCJazz. Non stop jazz music while you work or surf. Coooooooool Ü.

Pop-a-gander

2009-06-24T09:40:00.003+08:00

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One of the hurdles that photography faces when moving from its documentary roots into realms of fine art is to disassociate itself from being a prisoner to its caption. When the sentence, paragraph or essay informs the viewer’s reaction to the visual then the value of the visual is reduced to illustration. And the stronger the polemic of the written word the quicker the visual becomes propaganda.

This is not unique to photography and can and does happen in other genres, as with the current exhibition at the Hiraya gallery, First Impression – Lust. Ronald Caringal has hung 8 large paintings that dominate the space with their pop art meets super realism to make eye candy aesthetic. These crisp and clean and tres cool renderings of fantasy female faces are dominated by their titles. Witty one liners with erotic over tones such as “It was the moment he was glad to meat her” or “It was the moment he got into master baking” for example.

When this is coupled with Angelo Suarez’s catalogue essay “The Pleasure of the Oral” the political message becomes unmistakable and the works become illustrations of the written polemic. For without their titles and the essay they are accomplished graphic renderings which could well be a distinctive part of an IKEA gallery; a stylish decorative finishing touch for a bachelor pad.

The exhibition continues until 15th of July at 530 United Nations Avenue, Ermita.

An Interview with Henry Bateman

2009-06-20T06:39:00.003+08:00

Dennis Rito, the man behind the Philippine Photography Scene blog put me though a third degree after the Pixel Perfect exhibition opening. The result of his interrogation can be seen here.

Got Time for a Read?

2009-06-18T07:59:00.005+08:00

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Two new books that concentrate on the “how to” side of the business of art are, if not actually on the books stands, soon to make an appearance. One looks at the subject from the Artist’s perspective the other from the Gallerist’s.

In Jackie Battenfield’s (exhibiting artist, lecturer and teacher, and gallery director) The Artist's Guide: How To Make A Living Doing What You Love the art world is explained and she and offers clear and useful steps to setting goals and achieving them. And it’s on Amazon already.

Edward Winkleman’s (gallerist and long time arts blogger) How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery hits the books stands on the 14th July. Ed has been blogging about life as a New York Gallerist at his well trafficked site edward winkleman (art | politics | gossip | tough love) since April 2005. His words of wisdom are now packaged within these covers.

From The Artist’s Guide comes this arts definition attributed to Boston’s Samson Projects’ Camilo Alvarez "A gallerist will send a collector the artist's bio, whereas a dealer sends them the invoice." Whereas Leigh Conner from Conner Contemporary Art says "Ed Winkleman's book is a comprehensive reference for any gallery owner. Whether you are new to the business or seasoned gallerist, it is always wise to remember the essentials".

Perhaps artists should read Winkleman and gallerist's Battenfield.

The Spirit Endures

2009-06-13T12:29:00.008+08:00

First published in The Expat Travel & Lifestyle Magazine June 2005.

"Science and art belong to the whole world, and before them vanish the barriers of nationality," so said one of Germany’s greatest sons, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. A poet, dramatist, philosopher, scientist and theologian, who from the 18th century onward has influenced some of the world’s foremost artists, scientists and dream makers.

Goethe’s creation of the literary archetype Doctor Faustus, the man who sold his soul to the devil, has inspired musical masterpieces from Mozart to Mahler. His work on color theory inspired the British painter William J M Turner. Goethe’s ideas on evolution helped frame the question central to Charles Darwin’s “Origin of the Species”. Even the popular culture of the 20th Century is in his debt as the author of the poem Der Zauberlehrling upon which Walt Disney based his “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” animation.

Consequently, it is fitting that the German Government’s outreach to the world should bear Goethe’s name. For over 50 years the Goethe-Institut has been presenting a contemporary portrait of Germany through language studies and cultural exchanges. With 134 institutes in 82 countries the Goethe name has become synonymous with brand Germany.

Operating under an organizational structure that encourages delegation, the Goethe Institutes are able to respond to the aspirations of the communities in which they live.

Such as earlier this year, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra approached the German Embassy for assistance with their world music concert season, Transymphonia. The seventh concert in the series, “Pillars of German Music” celebrated Felix Mendelssohn’s 200th anniversary with The Hebrides Overture, op. 26 and the Violin Concerto in E Minor, op.64 along with Beethoven’s third Symphony, “Eroica”. The Embassy passed the request over to the Goethe-Institut who arranged for the German solo violinist Annette von Hehn, (pictured on the right) who resides in Berlin, to come to the Philippines to perform the violin concerto with the orchestra.

But the Goethe Institutes not only respond to requests, they also tap into the Zeitgeist of their communities. The increased interest in photography in the Philippines, most noticeably heralded by the successes of the photography dedicated Silverlens Gallery, prompted the Goethe-Institut Manila to stage successive photographic events.

In 2008 they ensured that the 2005 World Press Photo Awarded, Peter Bialobrzeski included the Philippines in his six month South East Asian artist in residence program and workshops. Whilst in the Philippines, Bialobrzeski worked with 10 young Filipino photographers for four weeks exploring and interrupting urban Manila. This was followed by the exhibition “Mapping Invisible Cities” at the Shangri-la Plaza featuring, not only Bialobrzeski photographs, but also the work of the workshop participants from Manila, Hanoi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

This year the Goethe-Institut in conjunction with the Yuchengco Museum and Rogue Magazine brought the highly acclaimed “Zeitgeist Becomes Form: German Fashion Photography 1945-1995” exhibition to Manila. Commissioned by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen it featured the work of some of Germany’s best know photographers including Helmut Newton, Jürgen Tillers and Wolfgang Tillmans. This exhibition was the logical follow up to the 2007 photographic exhibition “Deutschlandbilder - Images of Germany”.

Since 2007 Goethe-Institut Manila has been under the direction of Richard Künzel. (pictured on the left) A multi-linguist proficient in German, English, French, Serbo-Croatian and Russian, Künzel is man to whom borders are just lines on a map. He started his working life as a sleeping car attendant on the Orient Express, then moved on to become a trekking tour guide in Nepal during which time he first set eyes upon his wife, Ricarda, at the southern base camp of Mount Everest. In his 30 years with the Goethe-Institut Künzel has, apart from the Philippines, flown the flag in Kazakhstan, Turkey and Egypt.

It was whilst he was in Egypt, as that institute’s cultural officer, Künzel became the vice president of the Friends of the Railways of Egypt and the Arab World. Who, in 2002, organized the Peace Ambassadors train, a 2000 kilometer rail journey through the war ravaged Middle East. Starting in the Egyptian capital of Cairo the train was shipped to the sea port of Latakia in Syria and from there it traveled by rail to Mosul in Iraq.

But this 61 year old German National is more than a Deutschland impresario, although in the coming months he will bring to the Philippines “Contemporary Picture Book Illustration in Germany”, “Come-in: Interior Design as a Contemporary Art Medium in Germany” and the “Alexander Kluge Film Series”. Künzel the pedagogue is a man in love with his mother tongue.

This passion has held him in good stead with the day to day activity of the Goethe-Institut, the teaching of the German language. With the German Government’s decision that immigrants must be proficient in basic German to be eligible for a residents visa the Institute’s work load has increased significantly. Filipina brides of German Nationals are knocking on the Institute’s door seeking the assistance needed to be with their husbands.

And with many coming from “the provinces”, where the instruction in grammar is rudimentary at best, Künzel and his team of language instructors have developed an innovative program that meets the needs of both the prospective immigrant and the German Government’s directive. Such is the strength of this program that tertiary institutions across the Philippines are sending Filipino teachers of the German language to learn the program. These include the German language departments of the Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines in Manila, the San Carlos University in Cebu and the University of Mindanao’s faculty of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

It is this type of interaction that fosters the Institute’s ability to gauge the pulse of the Philippine community and cross borders both regional and cultural. Which for Richard Künzel, a man of many parts from many places, means he can, with the Goethe-Institut’s encouragement, promote a world where the best of his country’s endeavors can be shared without fear or favour.

Generous Co mpany

2009-06-11T16:23:00.004+08:00

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Charcoal has long been used by artist’s for sketching out ideas and drawing layouts to be painted over. It isn’t often that finished works are presented in this medium and rarer still for an exhibition to be devoted entirely to it. But Charlie Co’s latest exhibition, “Balana”, at Slab Gallery does just that.

His eighteen large (4’ x4’) charcoal drawings stand out in stark relief on the gallery’s white walls, a powerful and dramatic onslaught to the visual senses as you walk through the door. With their dark gray mattes and black frames these black and white images with their small splashes of color, which heightens the limited palette, confront the audience not only through the rendering but with the subject matter. For Co is uncompromising in his depiction humanities follies with his cast of self-indulgent characters.

From the business man looking through a key hole in “Here Comes Mr Smiley” with its pedophilic over tones to the un-repentant survivor in “Bail Out” that recalls the allegory of the ship of fools, Co tackles the issues of the day with insight and candor. But his work is more than current events as he turns to gaze through the proscenium upon issues that have occupied the human consciousness from the time of Medieval Morality plays in works like “St Michael Duels The Devil”. And more often than not his tongue is firmly in his cheek with a satirical sense humor that lightens the messenger’s tale, this aspect of his work is especially prevalent in “Crow Monger” and “Message From An Angel”.

Although bordering on the macabre from time to time, see "Masquerade" and "Halloween Chair", Co is a generous artist who has created images for this exhibition that keep on giving. "Balana" will be on view until 4th of July at Slab Gallery 2/F YMC Building 2, 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.

A Master of Modern Photography

2009-06-11T08:07:00.003+08:00

Andreas Gursky F1 Pit Stop I, 2007, © Andreas Gursky / SODRAC (2009)

German photographer Andreas Gursky is having a retrospective of his work at the Vancouver Art Gallery. And as part of the publicity for the event FOTO8 have published Guy Lane’s interview with him.

Read the interview and see more Gursky pics here.

Bacon on Show

2009-06-06T08:28:00.003+08:00

Francis Bacon, "Painting" 1946

The Irish artist with the reputation as a chronicler of the grotesque, Francis Bacon’s major centenary retrospective has opened at the Museum of Modern Art. After sojourns at the Tate Britain and the Prado Gallery in Madrid the 60 works have found their way to New York.

And “A Sky Filled with Shooting Stars” author, Robert Ayers says it’s “The best exhibition I have ever seen, anywhere, in my life”. You can read the why of his claim here and best of all you can see some decent sized pics of some of the artists seminal works.

Is Art Self Abuse?

2009-05-31T08:13:00.002+08:00

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The Guardian on line has a review of British artist Tracy Emin’s latest show at the White Cube Gallery, “Those Who Suffer Love”. Peter Conrad does the honours, you can read "Confessions of a saucy seamstress" here, and although snarky from time to time he does raise an this idea at the end of his piece.

“Perhaps Emin is at last admitting that art, at least for her, is a species of self-abuse.” Thinking about the nature of art as opposed to picture making it could be strongly contended that Emin is not alone. Even when the work is not as graphically sexual as Emin’s the process of the artist bearing their inner most thoughts and feelings is said to be the hallmark of great art. (Consider Bacon, consider Goodwin)

In the words of Ed Winkleman, “consider this an open thread” and add your two bob’s worth.

A Good Day to be an Aussie in the Philippines

2009-05-25T07:44:00.003+08:00

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It’s a good day to be an Aussie/Filipino, my home country and my adopted country both picked up gongs at Cannes.

First time director Warwick Thornton got the Palme d’Or for best first film for his love story “Samson and Delilah” and Brillante Mendoza picked up the directors Palme d’Or for his crime movie “Kinatay”.

The Filipino’s grisly tale of a kidnap-rape victim who is beaten up before being murdered and hacked to pieces in “Kinatay” nudged out heavy weight directors like Quentin Tarantino and Jane Campion to get the nod from the International Film Festival’s judges. These same judges said that the slow, shy courtship of the young petrol sniffing boy and the girl caring for her aged grandmother in “Samson and Delilah” was the best love story they had seen in many years.

Now the tricky bit will be to find a cinema that will show these films in preference to the standard Hollywood fare.

To find out about all the Cannes winners go here

Manila and Me

2009-05-22T08:09:00.005+08:00

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First impressions are not always to be trusted. Such was the case when I first laid eyes upon the the 51 black and white photographs, under glass, at Briccio Santos’ “Inner Spaces” exhibition at the Silverlens Gallery. There were some interesting compositions but the works were mute.

A closer examination, literally with my nose inches from the glass, and I was drawn into the works. These 20 x 24 inch and 16 x 20 inch Manila cityscapes demand this intimacy and the viewer’s reflection in the glass, which is usually an annoyance, becomes an integral part of the experience. The viewer becomes a part of the scene and as their focus shifts so too does the relationship with the scene presented.

This idea of reflection is carried over to Santos’ installation, the 52nd work in the exhibition, “Tunnel of knowledge”. A circular library with a mirrored ceiling and a mirrored floor. This hall of mirrors extends above and below to become a book lovers wishing well. Constructed to exclude the casual viewer's reflection the more intrepid can become involved at the risk of suffering from vertigo.

The majority of the books in this library are stacked upon the shelves with their spines hidden from prying eyes. And those with their titles on view are, for the most part, technical manuals and self help tombs. A couple of fiction titles make the cut but the only literary title on show is Mark Twain’s, Huckleberry Finn. Interestingly, considering its setting, books about art are conspicuous by their absence along with poetry, but who reads them today?

Inner Spaces continues at Silverlens until 20th June with a talk by Briccio Santos scheduled for Saturday 6th of June.

Great Abstract Photography

2009-05-20T06:31:00.003+08:00

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Miu Kiuchi is a Japanese photographer who produces some lovely images. Can't tell you a lot more as my command of the Japanese language is on a par with my Greek. But be that as it may, Kiuchi's photographs speak volumes. You can see more of her work here (it's a bit slow to load but well worth the wait).

And Baby Makes 3

2009-05-18T07:35:00.004+08:00

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Back in the days when the world was young I got to motor around in one of these. It was officially “the wife’s car” but it was such fun to drive that I would nick it whenever the opportunity arose.
Now according to the WSJ, Fiat is set to become number 3 in the world car maker stakes. Vai, vai bambino.

"A brush, like a computer, is merely a tool."

2009-05-16T07:32:00.005+08:00

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So says one of England’s most influential artists, David Hockney . For his latest exhibition “DAVID HOCKNEY: DRAWING IN A PRINTING MACHINE” at Annely Juda Fine Art, London, Hockney has abandoned his brushes in favor of Photoshop and a Graphics Tablet.

Paul Hockney I

Wednesday 25 February 2009
inkjet printed computer drawing on paper,
edition of 12, 140 x 95 cm

In a Sunday Times article he was quick to ridicule the misconception that this work was some sort of computer art, in which the computer rather than the artist dominates. “Most people thought they knew what ‘computer art’ looked like, but of course that is like saying they know what ‘brush art’ looks like. It is daft.”

You can see a selection of Hockney’s latest work here.

A Stay of Execution

2009-05-12T07:50:00.004+08:00

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Today was scheduled as the last day of my current exhibition at Sining Kamalig. But gallerist Simoun Balboa, in his wisdom, has given the works a reprieve and they will remain on show until Thursday the 24th of May.

So if you haven't got to see "Pixel Perfect - The Exhibition" yet, or are desirous of a second look you have another 12 days to satisfy your curiosity. I shall be popping in from time to time as I continue working on my new project based on the Gateway Mall, which is home to the Gallery.

On You Tube

2009-05-05T15:48:00.002+08:00

A reworked version of this video.

A selection of triptychs created this year.

A Week and 2 Days

2009-05-03T18:36:00.005+08:00

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My exhibition at Sining Kamalig (Art Granary) Gallery is on until 12 May. Below are some shots from the gallery.

We Shoot Bottles

2009-05-03T09:15:00.001+08:00

A pretty boring subject but a great web site, simple, clean and tells you what you need to know. Interested in web site design, this is a must see. Click here to go there.

Have an Interest in Copyright

2009-04-29T17:58:00.005+08:00

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I discovered Artbabble a week or so ago (see post here) and trolling through its pages came across this discussion “Remix: Lawrence Lessig and Shepard Fairey (LIVE from the NYPL) 2/26/09”

Shep Fairey is the creator of the Obama poster who is getting his ass sued for copyright infringement for this same poster. But it’s Larry Lessig who makes this video interesting, 16 and a half minutes in and his spiel is were the synapses start to fire. Lessig is the author of Remix, founder of Creative Commons, and one of the leading legal scholars on intellectual property issues in the Internet age. (And he can dance, well verbally at least.)

Involved with the internet and art? Ignore this at your peril.

Back in the Studio II

2009-04-26T08:09:00.005+08:00

Almost Red & Pretty Big
(A visual critique of Pixel Perfect - The Exhibition)

5 archival inkjet prints - Dimensions variable - edition of 5 + 1 AP

Domestic Chaos

2009-04-26T08:01:00.002+08:00

Front Porch by Julie Blackmon

If domestic chaos is your thing check out the delightful vignettes over at Julie Blackmon's web site. She has 3 series of works "Mind Games", "Domestic Vacations" and "New Work". Front Porch is from the Domestic vacations series.

Back in the Studio

2009-04-23T07:30:00.006+08:00

Reception (2009)

It's good to find some time and space to work on pics after the hurley burly of the last week.

Up & Running

2009-04-22T08:27:00.003+08:00

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Posts have been a bit thin on the ground over the past few days as it’s been kinda hectic getting the exhibition up and running. But with many thanks to Simoun, Kristine, Muffet, Rica and Coro for all their hard work, we got the pics on the walls and the video working. I would also like to thank Bing and Raul who braved the elements (Want it to rain? Schedule an exhibition opening for me and watch the heavens open) to officiate and cut the ribbon.

Sining Kamalig Gallery

The works are now on display until Tuesday 12 May at Sining Kamalig on the 4th level of Gateway Mall in down town Cubao next to the Araneta Coliseum.

A New Link

2009-04-15T09:57:00.002+08:00

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Thanks to the guardian blog for the heads up to artbabble. A “you tube” sort of place but with the subject matter related to the visual arts. And the navigation is good, with “series”= production house (the arts organization), “channels”= generic art forms and “artists”= well artists.

If you have only a passing interest in the arts you could loose a few hours there and they have only started out, (not a lot of content yet). Click on the link above or on the side bar to see for yourself.

Happy Birthday Matilda

2009-04-07T08:20:00.002+08:00

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Yesterday (April 6) was the 114th anniversary of the first performance of Australia’s best known song and unofficial national anthem, “Waltzing Matilda”.

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three,
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?",
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive", said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me."
"Oh, You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me."

This is the modern day version of this song, the original which was first performed for the Queensland Premier of the day at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton, Queensland can be seen here.

If You Say So Mr Winkleman

2009-04-04T12:39:00.004+08:00

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Times are tough in prestigious art burb that is New York’s Chelsea district if the latest exhibition at the Winkleman Gallery (April 3 to May 9) is anything to go by. Entitled "The Reappraisal", artist Jennifer Dalton has, if you believe the press release, catalogued all the stuff in her place and offered it for sale.

“From graduate student paintings to the cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink to the planter in the back yard” everything has a price, and not just one price but three. What the artist thinks its worth, what Christie’s Auction house reckon it’s worth and “your price” i.e. how much you will have to pay to own it. A porcelain vase has been valued at $100 by the artist, $15 by Christies, but “your price” is $1500.00. One can’t help but wonder if this was the motivation for the blog post Three Grumpy Thoughts on the Salander Case a few days earlier?

Prices range from half a million for a trinket of the kitsch variety to the artist paying you $5 to take stuff off her hands. But one still has to pay the rent as the blogging gallerist often alludes too. Hence “The Reappraisal is a meditation on materialism, growing up, and the extent to which we can properly judge ourselves and each other by the contents of our bookshelves, refrigerators and medicine cabinets.”

Come on, no matter how you dress it up, a garage sale is a garage sale.

Memories

2009-04-03T09:18:00.007+08:00

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My friends and long time collectors Pat and Tony Stroud sent some pics (Tony is the shutterbug) of my earlier (circa 1984/85) works from a time before the camera and Photoshop.

Tree
Oil on canvas

No Standing Anytime
Oil on Canvas

Somerville Theatre
Pencil & gouache on paper

A quarter of a century (which is kinda scary) and still going strong (which is kinda encouraging).

For the Early Birds

2009-04-01T07:27:00.001+08:00

Want to know more? Click here.

Connecting the Notes

2009-03-31T20:25:00.002+08:00

The Karaoke Party (2009)
3 archival inkjet on canvas prints 48" x 60.5"

Is it Art?

2009-03-30T20:20:00.002+08:00

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The best definition I have come across for art comes the Hungarian/Australian painter Desiderius Orban which goes along the lines of “If when viewing a work of art for the first time you don’t change your mind about something, either you are a very stubborn person or it isn’t a very good work of art.”

This definition applies to photography just as well and I have just discovered Colin Pantall's blog and his current series “How Not to Photograph” which hammers the point home.

Don’t go there unless you want to know why your pics suck.

Pixel Perfect – The Exhibition (Fact File)

2009-03-28T18:59:00.021+08:00

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Gallery: Sining Kamalig
Address: 4th Level, Gateway Mall, Araneta Centre,
Cubao, Quezon City
Duration: 21 April to 12 May (Open 11am to 9pm Daily)
Opening Reception: 6pm to 9pm Tuesday 21 April
Artist: Henry Bateman
Email: bateman(dot)henry(at)gmail(dot)com
Gallerist: Simoun Balboa
Email: siningkamalig(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book

Pixel Perfect
A print on demand publication printed in the USA.
Signed copies can be ordered through the gallery.
Softback Php3500.00, Hardback Php4500.00

The Art Works

Seasons Greetings
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 48”
Edition of 1 plus 2 AP
Digital files created between December 2005
and December 2006
Printed February 2009

Remembering Batangas
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 48”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created between September 2006
and June 2007
Printed February 2009

Kalbaryo
9 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 144.5”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created between April 2006 and April 2007
Printed February 2009

Broken Spaces
12 archival inkjet on canvas panels 80.75” x 144.5”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created between December 2007
and July 2008
Printed February 2009

At an Exhibition
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 48”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created between January
and June 2008
Printed February 2009

2 416 329X
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 48”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created in July 2008
Printed February 2009

The Sign Says 1
9 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 144.5”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created between August and November 2008
Printed February 2009

The Sign Says 2
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 60.5” x 48”
Edition of 1 plus 1 AP
Digital files created in November 2008
Printed February 2009

How to get there

The Urban Jungle

2009-03-22T09:23:00.001+08:00

Manila 9 to 5 (2009)
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 48" x 60"

Getting Connected

2009-03-20T08:00:00.005+08:00

First published in The Expat Travel & Lifestyle Magazine March 2009

What do an Irishman, a Scotsman, an Englishman, a Swede, an Indian, an Australian, a Norwegian, an American, a Chinaman, a Filipino, a German, a Spaniard and an Austrian all have in common?

Apart from seeming like a chapter of the United Nations, they are some of the nationalities of a group of people who meet each month at one of Manila’s many watering holes to swap tales of their Philippine adventures. They are also members of www.internations.org, the international online community for people who live and work abroad.

Canadian John Mihalo and Irishman Tom Kershaw share a drink at the bar of Murphy's Irish pub during the January InterNations get together.

InterNations is the brain child of three Germans, Christian Leifeld, Philipp von Plato and Malte Zeeck. Between them, in the preceding thirteen years, they had lived and studied and/or worked in fifteen countries that ranged from India in the east to the Americas in the west. The impetus to start InterNations was their shared discovery, common amongst expatriates, of the often difficult process of finding like minded people who could show them the ropes in their new country. So in September of 2007, utilizing their skills in international management and media, they founded InterNations, an organization dedicated to making life easier for people living abroad.

In the eighteen months from its inception, InterNations has grown to 100,000 members from 230 local communities across the globe. Members range from diplomats, members of IGOs and NGOs, foreign correspondents, expatriates employed by multinational companies, their family members and the diverse range of individuals living abroad along with locals with ties to the expatriate community.

Via the internet, InterNations provides a network that enables its members to interact with other people in a similar situation. From New York to New Delhi, from Amsterdam to Addis Ababa, it allows members with comparable interests to share insights and ideas through the site’s forums; to exchange reliable information on expat-specific topics; and to keep in touch with friends and business contacts. From across the world or around the corner, these globally minded people pool their knowledge and their experiences.

With topics that range from the meaty like, “How to bring peace to the middle east?” or “Who will be the next superpower?” to the frivolous such as “what frequently tickles your feet” or “ROSITA'S CANTINA - with the cook, the thief, his wife and her lover - SORRY WE'RE OPEN” and its 21979 replies, the forums are at the heart of the web site. With six broad categories, that includes an Expat Q&A, there is a plethora of information as well as opinion just waiting discovery. And if the forum can’t help, the members’ directory with its display of country affiliations means an answer is just an email away, pretty much wherever in the world your concern lies.

More than a Web Site

But this ever expanding network is more than a web site, members are encouraged to get out from behind their computers and interact in the real world. Each of the 203 local communities has an ambassador. A dedicated individual who organizes activities within his or her local community that brings the membership out of the house, out of the work place.

From bowling in Budapest to pub nights in Paris, the InterNations’ ambassadors organize get-togethers for their multi cultural throng. With, of course, the recent festive season being an excuse for serious party going from Melbourne to Moscow, from Miami to Manila.

Here in the Philippines the pre Christmas get-together was organized by the local InterNations’ ambassador, Pat Hawkins. An Australian and a serial expatriate, he has lived and worked in 48 cities in 39 countries mostly in the Middle East and Asia. Hawkins, although currently employed in real estate here in Manila, utilizes his past experience as a team leader in information technology start ups to organize the local events. He has grown the Manila get-togethers from an initial seven people from four countries to 25 people from 20 countries in just a handful of months. Based around the principle of eat, drink and be merry, these gatherings foster a bonhomie conducive to making friends and business contacts.

The Dane and the Filipina

The Dane and The Filipina take a break whilst Malling

Lone Nielsen is a marketing post graduate from Denmark, who came to Manila upon the completion of her degree to work as an intern with the Filtra group of companies. After her one year stint with Filtra, she will return to Denmark to pursue a Masters degree in her chosen field of Marketing and Management Communications. This year off from study has given her the chance to gain some valuable work experience whilst indulging her passion for foreign travel. Joining InterNations seemed like the obvious thing to do when she arrived in the Philippines.

Monelli Ponce de Leon is a Filipina in her mid twenties. An avid reader and part time computer geek, she is also multi-lingual, speaking English, Tagalog, Spanish, Japanese and French. For this language instructor joining InterNations was a “no brainer”, not only for the networking associated with her employment but for the opportunity to practice and maintain her language skills.

They met at the InterNations gathering held at Murphy’s Irish Pub in down town Makati a couple of months ago. They have since got together several times outside of the InterNations meetings to swap notes on their cultural differences while Ponce de Leon introduces Nielsen to the intricacies of the Philippines unofficial sport, malling. No doubt the true test of this budding friendship will come when the Filipina introduces the Dane to her favorite local delicacy, balut.

Beam me up Scotty

Currently, basic membership of InterNations is free but only through invitation, which can be obtained from the front page of www.internations.org. Answer the half a dozen questions and you could find yourself on the invitation list for the next get-together, which in Manila tend to be held on the third Wednesday of the month.

Street Art

2009-03-18T09:32:00.003+08:00

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Road closures are part of the deal as this year's crop of Easter Shrines start to take shape over the Poblacion barangay. These folk art installations must be ready by Wednesday 8th of April, just 3 weeks away, to celebrate Christ Pasyon. It is also the second day of The Great Filipino Easter Photo Tour, click here for more info.

Triptych

2009-03-16T18:32:00.002+08:00

Remembering Heath Robinson (2009)
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 48" x 60"

The Circus is Back in Town

2009-03-16T08:53:00.004+08:00

Artist Cesar Caballero with a bevy of beauties at
the opening of his latest exhibition

Pinocchio has given way to the three ring spectacular. Views of both the arena and the bleachers are on view and explore the nature of the beast. The internet’s “WTF” transposes to the canvas with a cartoon aesthetic that links the transition. Anime with a Spanish twist, perhaps?

It is the blurring of the perspective, from performer to perceiver that intrigues in Cesar Caballero’s latest offering "Silence and Whispers" at Artina Gallery Café. The linking device of the 3 dots in a speech balloon cements the sense of wonder of both and raises the eternal question even if the roles are stereotypical.

“Silence & Whispers” is on show at Artina Gallery Café, A Venue, Makati Ave until 13 April.

Spreading the Word

2009-03-12T10:27:00.007+08:00

First published in The Expat travel & Lifestyle Magazine March 2009
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In May last year, when the hammer fell on Emmanual Santos’ angel series of photographs “Passing of Light” at Christie’s Hong Kong auction, a record price for Philippine and Asian contemporary photograph was set.

Hill of 1,000,000 Crosses by Emmanuel Santos, part of the series that created the Philippine & Asian record at Christy's Hong Kong Auction © Emmanual Santos

The woman who instigated this historic moment was Isa Lorenzo, the Artistic Director of the Silverlens Photography Gallery. For this doctor cum photographer cum gallerist, whilst acknowledging the importance of the economic capital of photography, the development of the cultural capital of the medium is her driving force.

Silverlens' Artistic Director, Isa Lorenzo
photograph by Rachel Rillo

After completing her medical degree, Lorenzo realised her passion was elsewhere and headed off to the US to study photography at the Parsons School of Design in New York. There she gained her masters in Photography and Media Studies. Whilst in the Big Apple she also exhibited her work at the International Center for Photography and the Thomas Wenrer Gallery. To say, Lorenzo was under whelmed by Manila’s scatter gun approach to exhibiting art in general and photography in particular that she found upon her return to the Philippines would be an understatement.

“Making the work is half the journey, and the easy part in comparison, to finding a gallerist who really believes in an artists’ work, much less photography”, she says. “The lack of support for photography as collected art plus being forced to work in a vacuum takes its toll on the creative process,” Lorenzo adds. Consequently, taking the recognized international gallery practice of nurturing a stable of artists through their careers as her model, she created Silverlens Gallery in September of 2005 specializing in fine art photography.

Through the careful planning of their exhibition schedule of international and local photographers, the gallery has grown to be one of the most highly respected players in the Philippine art scene. And in October of 2008 Silverlens expanded their local operation opening on two new galleries, the SLab Gallery and the 20Square Gallery. Adjacent to and interconnected with the original Silverlens gallery, these spaces exhibit a wider range of contemporary art including painting, sculpture and prints. With the same curatorial team as the main gallery, these new additions are fast becoming, likewise, respect venues in the local art scene.

International Expansion

As a logical extension of these local successes, the Silverlens’ curatorial team, with Lorenzo at its head, has been making inroads into the international art scene. And it is here that Lorenzo’s focus on developing the gallery’s cultural capital, rather than the economic, has started to pay dividends.

Firstly by targeting top draw art fairs in the Asian region like HK08 in Hong Kong and Art Singapore. And then placing gallery artists in some of the regions biennales such as Korea’s Busan Biennale and the Singapore Biennale, Silverlens is promoting the world class nature of their program. It is these events that attract the glitterati of the international arts world, the serious, well heeled collectors and more importantly the top flight museum curators.

Whilst sales are an economic imperative and a record setting auction price will generate headlines, the works go into private hands for the enjoyment of the few and the headlines will be wrapping tomorrow’s fish and chips. Whereas placing a work in a museum’s and /or institutional gallery’s permanent collection ensures the work will be displayed for generations to come. And with museum and gallery attendances trumping sporting events world wide, year after year, means the placed work will be seen by very many pairs of eyes. It is also an indication of a work’s cultural significance, as these public collections are the historic record of the world’s cultural capital.

Pulse

In March each year galleries from around the world descend upon New York City. For the city that bills itself as the art capital of the world, from the 5th to 8th of the ‘Ides’ month, the boast becomes a fact. Seven art fairs opened their doors over these four days and an expected quarter of a million visitors flowed through them. From Zurich to Amsterdam, from Montreal to Manila, the crème de la crème of the art world wormed their way though the Big Apple.

And Silverlens was there. Lorenzo and her team dove into this particular pressure cooker of long days at their art fair booth and nights spent networking with colleagues. “It is hard work, and you never really know who is walking in to see the show. It’s a thrill and a half”, Lorenzo muses.

For Lorenzo, getting Silverlens into the Pulse Contemporary Art Fair is a feather in her cap. Their 2008 application was rejected by the highly selective Pulse curatorial committee. Silverlens was advised they were showing too many artists, the Pulse selection committee expects participating galleries to be as selective as them. Over the successive nine months the Pulse curators kept an eye on Silverlens’ other fair appearances and the gallery program and for the 2009 fair gave them the nod.

After The Fawn by Bea Valdes

When Lorenzo and her team flew out to New York, they had six artist’s works in their bags. Steve Tirona, Gary Ross Pastrana, Bea Valdes, Isa Lorenzo, Mariano Ching and Patricia Eustaquio all strutted their stuff at the Pulse Contemporary Art Fair under the Silverlens banner, rubbing shoulders with some of the art world’s heavy hitters. And for Steve Tirona, Pulse was his New York debut.

Nos. 61-97 by Gary-Ross Pastrana

A Silverlens exhibition is fast becoming a high point in a photographer’s career, adding a culturally significant entry to their resume. To be accepted for representation will see the photographer thrust into the international spot light as the Silverlens’ star continues to glow, with increasing brightness, in the international art firmament.

Side Bar Update

2009-03-08T09:07:00.003+08:00

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You may have noticed that I have added a handful of links to art related sites to the side bar of the same name, then again you may not.

Top of the list is “A Night Filled with Shooting Stars”, regular posts that discuss art in an intelligent way. Yes it is New York centric, but it does have a somewhat broader approach than many others (sic Hrat Vartanian, also a new addition, but seems to think the world stops outside the city limits). The Shooting Stars post, On the fingers of one hand: Pool’s Thierry Alet reminds us that “there is no recession for independent artists”, hits the nail on the head.

I have been reading Ed Winkleman’s blog for some time now which gives a take on the art scene, again New York centric, from a gallerist’s POV. With a large and vocal following his, at times, agent provocateur approach does get the comments section humming. In fact, often it is the comments that shed the greatest illumination.

“Snippets from the Manila Arts Scene” is a relatively new blog that looks at the local, well for me, state of artistic endeavor. A bit on the touchy feely side it is still a welcome change from the mostly PR related posts elsewhere.

On the photography side of things there is Ch’ng Yaohong’s discovery, discussion and exploration of Asian photography at the Asian Photography Blog. He trolls the internet looking for photography, mostly of a conservative nature, to bring to his readers attention.

And then there is Jorg Colbergs “Conscientious”. I keep going back even though I think he is wrong more often than not and his boredom threshold is a lot higher than mine. It’s a bit like the fascination of a train wreck but that said he does hit it from time to time.

So when you have had you fill here try some of the above just to vary the diet.

Free Piss, Perhaps

2009-03-02T19:02:00.002+08:00

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Irish budget airline Ryanair is considering charging their passengers one pound (US$2.20, 105 pesos) to take a slash. Obviously to make the most of this proposal the Guinness/beer will be free. I mean it would be a bit much to charge for it both going in and out. And as everyone knows the offer of free piss always draws a crowd.

Now, have you heard the one about........

Another Triptych

2009-02-28T09:47:00.004+08:00

Film Clip (2009)
3 archival inkjet on canvas panels 48"x 60"

A Shopping List to Die For

2009-02-24T19:34:00.001+08:00

Billed as “The Sale of the Century” the hype seems not to be displaced as one of the world’s greatest private art collections goes under the hammer. Monday was the first day of a 3 day auction and contained a who’s who of nineteenth and twentieth century art.

Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Cezanne, Seurat, Toulouse Lautrec, Klimt, Mondrian, Munch, Rousseau, Braque, Picasso, Matisse, Leger, Duchamp, Modigliani and Klee graced the block.

The Yves Saint Laurent collection is being broken up, sold to the highest bidder and from the prices being obtained it makes one wonder if the news reports of the credit crunch are just a ploy to sell more soap powder.

New Work

2009-02-23T16:37:00.006+08:00

Crossroad

Oh My

2009-02-17T08:24:00.002+08:00

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As part of The Philippines International Visual Arts Fest 09 (PIVAF09) there is a series of free lectures covering a range of subjects of interest to those involved and appreciative of the visual arts. Covering photography, conservation, advertising and media they are presented by some well known figures in the Philippines art scene including George Tapan, Lyn Yusi, Emily Abrera, Ross Capili and Jay Alonzo.

After each of the lectures an Open Forum is planned in which questions raised in the lecture and other concerns can be discussed. And your humble scribe is a panelist along with Ross Capili for the forum following Jay Alonzo’s “Photography for Everyone” lecture. This will be at Robinson’s Forum in Mandaluyong on Sunday 22 February with Jay kicking off the proceedings at 2pm.

New Work

2009-02-15T09:58:00.002+08:00

234

Messengers in Monochrome

2009-02-14T10:04:00.001+08:00

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The winged messenger of the Gods is a common motive of religions world wide throughout the ages. In his second offering of photographic constructions “The Passing of Light II: Book of Illumination”, Emmanuel Santos presents a cavalcade of earthly manifestations of these celestial visitations.

Through careful darkroom manipulations Santos combines studio and location shots to create intriguing parables that resonate in a 21st Century world. His choice of monochromatic presentation give these works a timeless feel, at times almost like found objects from another age. For each of the 30 works is an object in its own right, the hallmark of good art, rather than the recording of an object. And, although a particular piece may speak specifically to you, the overwhelming power of this suite of photographs comes from the sum of its individual parts.

With its multitude of references both mythological and from the history of art, viewing Santos’ art is a journey from the Renaissance to the modern day. From the light that illuminates from within via the exploration of multicultural references to the confrontation of the personal, these photographs require multiple viewings to discover all of their revelations. That Santos’ angels narrate an optimistic message that underpins this widely traveled artist’s world view is an added incentive.

“The Passing of Light II: Book of Illumination” is at Silverlens main gallery until the 14th March at 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City, for more information go to www.silverlensphoto.com.

Another New Work

2009-02-11T15:59:00.004+08:00

Totem 2009

3 archival injet prints
Dimensions variable
Edition of 5

The Philippine International Visual Arts Fest 2009

2009-02-11T15:56:00.003+08:00

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An integral part of the month long Philippine International Arts Festival is the Visual Arts Fest that showcases all facets of visual arts at Robinsons’ Midtown Manila & Pioneer Mandaluyong malls. From the 19th to the 22nd of this month at Midtown painting and sculpture from all over the Philippines will be exhibited whilst at Pioneer digital photography and art from the NCR will be shown.

An impressive list of artists are participating including: Aaron Bautista, Ambet Lugtu, Salvador Ching, Patrick Chong , Anton Isip, Edillardo Paras, Nunelucio Alvarado, Danilo Celum, Charlie Co, Dulz Cuna, Adeste Deguilmo, Kitty Taniguchi, Dennis Ascalon, Gary Carabio, Wenceslao Cuevas Jr., Joe Geraldo, Paulina Constancia-Lee, Nomar Miano, Ramon Porcare, Noel Sagayap, Susanito Samate, Armando Toleza, Javy Villacin Jr., Al Nezzar Ali, Errol Balcos, Rogelito Cayas Jr., Edwin Jumalon, Jun Porlares, Kelly Ramos-Palaganas, Blugto Necosia Jr., Ambie Abaño, Pandy Aviado, Joe Datuin, Raul Isidro, Ramon Orlina, Buds Convocar, Arnel Borja, Jesus Genotiva, Jay Alonzo,
Henry Bateman, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, Dopy Doplon, Tommy Hafalla, Luis Martin Harder, Rick Hernandez, Nap Jamir, Amiel Lapuebla, Miguel Nacianceno, JP Sarmenta, George Tapan, Lilen Uy, Romy Vitug, Egai Talusan Fernandez, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Bada Torralba, Manny Montelibano, Danny Pangan, Don Gurrea, Nemiranda, Nonoy Francisco, Rosscapili, Yuan Mor' Ocampo, Valente Villanueva and Sio Montera.

As you can see I’m in some good company and my triptych “At an Exhibition no 2” will be hung at Robinsons Pioneer, Mandaluyong.

A New Work

2009-02-10T18:58:00.002+08:00

Continuing my exploration of the signs that direct, influence, advise.

They Can Dance

2009-02-09T07:53:00.003+08:00

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I had the good fortune over the weekend to catch “Turning… Turning 40”; a showcase of Filipino dance. It was also my first time to see a CCP (Cultural Centre of the Philippines) main stage production with all the bells and whistles. The 4 main dance Companies resident in Manila, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ballet Philippines and Ballet Manila, all strutted their stuff.

The ballet recital format is a tough ask for any company to show their goods, but Ballet Philippines managed to come through with all colours flying; they stood head and shoulders above the rest. Their first offering, “The Hurt We Embrace”, was a par de deux, choreographed by the company’s Artistic Director, Max Luna III. A stylized investigation of the boy/girl interaction which had some exquisite moments like the girl’s fluttering hand and the boy’s rigid chair extension which underscored the repressed sensuality prevalent in the work as in life here in these Islands.

Ballet Philippines’ second offering was “Night Creature”, originally choreographed by the master of defining space balletically, American Dance Theatre’s Alvin Ailey. Danced to the music of Duke Ellington and restaged by Elizabeth Roxes-Dobrish this was dance at its very best. First conceived for African American dances the Filipino dances of Ballet Philippines made it their own. The notes were hit, the extensions true, the corps de ballet danced as one. And Katsch SJ Catoy’s realization of Chenault Spence’s original lighting design provided the punctuation. It was a joyous, riveting, invigorating piece of theatre, modern dance just doesn’t get much better than this.

Picasso's Genius

2009-02-07T09:35:00.003+08:00

Brick Factory at Tortosa

Jonathan Jones the Cuardian’s art critic has written an interesting review of Picasso that touches the tip of his genius as a prologue as The (English) National Gallery prepares for its first Pablo Picasso exhibition. If you are a fan, like me, you can read it here.

Some Comfort in the Train Wreck

2009-02-06T19:25:00.001+08:00

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If Bloomberg.com is to be believed the centre of the arts universe is imploding. In New York galleries are closing, exhibitions are being extended to reduce overheads and $100K discounts are not being laughed out the door. The doom and gloom of the financial crisis is hitting the top end of town hard.

Meanwhile in the City of Churches, the “I spent a week there one afternoon” (but that was back in the 70’s and things may have changed) town of Adelaide’s Paul Greenaway is beating the emerging artist market drum. Director of the self named Greenaway’s Gallery and founder of South Australia's Living Artists Festival (mmmm OK) says and I quote "In the past where you might have thought of buying a painting for up to $5,000 you might look more towards the emerging artists and sort of go around the $2,000 mark. ... I think ultimately this is going to be a positive thing for the art world."

And Marcus Westbury from “Not Quite Art” chimes in “The downsides are dire and self evident - dwindling arts budgets pale beside the damaged wrought in lives destroyed and certanties upended. Yet recessions can be great times for low budget cultural initiatives. Space - the almost impossible to find holy grail of artists in the boom times - becomes relatively cheap and available. Higher levels of unemployment means that talent has more time to experiment and innovate and less temptation (or opportunity) to chase big bucks elsewhere. Large scale cultural production - with it’s expensive overheads and high costs - becomes relatively more difficult. Small scale production - which works best when there is a very high ratio of initiative and labour to expenses and overheads - benefits immensely from the rapidly falling costs.”

Who can tell in these “interesting times” maybe the Aussie pundits are on to something that the Gucci suits are missing.

The Irony of it All

2009-02-03T20:06:00.001+08:00

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The land of my birth, Australia, suffers from a dysfunctional identity crisis. It is too big to be and island and too small to be a continent. Just don’t fit conveniently into a pre-determined box. Bugger!

And here I am on the horns of a similar dilemma

I have been invited to exhibit my work at the Florence Biennale. Under usual circumstances the poverty stricken artists trots off to their government funded art’s support agency, cap in hand. Fills in the 27 page application (black ink or typed only), submits it in triplicate and with a bit of luck gets to wave their country’s flag on the government payroll.

As an expat with 4 years up my sleeve, I am not long enough in my adopted country to qualify as a citizen, too long away from my home country to be considered a resident. Bugger!

I guess private sponsorship is my only option, ‘cos I am still a poverty stricken artist, tally ho.

What’s Arts Criticism

2009-02-02T10:29:00.002+08:00

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The Ithacajournal.com has an interesting interview with the New York Times’ film critic A.O. Scott, if you’re into talking about the Arts. Although a film critic a lot of what he says about writing and consuming critical reviews play out across all genres.

“I learned that often the most valuable reviews are those we don't agree with. Ones that prompt us to ask How does this connect with what I think? The best criticism always enriches the experience of seeing or reading a work. A critic just offers a more formal or systematic version of what you and your friends do after you've seen a movie.”

If you want to read all that he has to say go here.

Accommodation

2009-01-30T07:32:00.003+08:00

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Rooms have been put on hold at the Artina Suites Hotel for participants in the The Great Filipino Easter Photo Tour. Situated in the heart of Makati City’s Poblacion Barangay (suburb) within easy walking distance of the Folk Art Shrines and the 2 Holy Week processions will pass the door. The closest shrine is literally a minute’s walk from the hotel’s front door.

Having stayed there myself, I can attest to the quality of the rooms and the service. And when in Manila, my friends have also stayed there and all have reported positively on their stay. Click here for more info about Artina Suites Hotel and remember your breakfast each morning (Filipino or continental) is included in the room tariff.

The Great Filipino Easter Photo Tour is for 6 days and nights with 10 photographically interesting locations that have been discovered by your tour guide, a professional photographer/artist, in his 4 years of living and working in the Philippines. To find out more about the tour click here.

It Pays to Have Balls

2009-01-29T18:42:00.001+08:00

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Preferably three. As banks head south and the credit crunch starts to bite, it seems that pawnbrokers are becoming the winners. In Britain the tightening of credit has seen the clientele for the local hock shop move decidedly upmarket.

Their shop windows glitter with Rolex watches, diamond rings and gold bracelets, making them look more like a jewelers'. And second hand is becoming the new chic, a Rolex is a Rolex whether you paid full retail or 50% off.

My problem is that a Picasso at 50% off still has way to many zeros for my wallet, sigh.

Gus Albor

2009-01-23T15:44:00.002+08:00

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I have finally had the good fortune to catch up with Gus Albor’s work over the past few days. I had seen his work on my computer via his web site, but invariably the small screen cannot do the justice to an art work that the meeting with it in person provides.

Albor currently has two exhibitions showing around town and a third that closed a couple of days ago.

“Art After 40” is a group exhibition at the Sining Kamalig Gallery in Cabao’s Gateway Mall. Details are a little hazy as the visit was the culmination of a very enjoyable and decidedly long lunch with arty friends and, would you believe, pen and paper were not to hand. From memory, he has five works on display, mostly large acrylic on canvas paintings whose neighbours intruded upon the conversation. That being said a smaller of his works remains vivid in my memory, its clarity of vision and the artist’s ability to step back from the every day is most impressive. Its title escapes me, but it is on the right behind the gallerist’s desk.

“Found and Lost Objects” is at Silverlens’ 20Square gallery which is small even by Manila standards, more of a walk in wardrobe than a tradition gallery. But Albor’s 11 pieces work well in the space. They are intimate works with a surface whimsicality that fortunately doesn’t obscure their often biting and/or satirical inspiration. For me the stand out piece was “Mother and Child” which in its Duchampian simplicity gave me a “wish I had thought of that” moment as together we explored this most fundamental of human relationships.

I missed his Alliance Française exhibition as Alliance Française is one of my least favourite exhibition venues. The restaurant exhibition combination always makes me feel conspicuous, as a stranger stares at my crotch as I stare at the picture above their head. And I am pretty sure it does little for the dining experience.

To catch the Sining Kamalig exhibition on the upper level of the Gatway Mall in Cubao you will need to pretty quick on your toes. “Found and Lost Objects” exhibition at 20Square gallery 2/F YMC Building, 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City is on until February 7. Whilst at 20Square you can also take in “Library Bookworks” in the SLab gallery. There are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

New Gallery

2009-01-22T15:58:00.001+08:00

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Marc Nader teaches photography at the American University in Beirut and when not imparting his knowledge he makes fine art photographs. Many of which he displays on his web site www.marcnader.com.

He has recently expanded his site to include guest galleries and yours truly is amongst the first to be featured there. Follow this link to see which images from my portfolio made the cut.

Titles Matter

2009-01-19T12:14:00.003+08:00

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The two current exhibitions at Silverlens, Stella Kalaw’s “Family Spaces” in the main gallery and Renato Orara’s “Library Bookworks” in the SLab gallery investigate the importance of titles and their relationship with the associated image.

In “Family Spaces” Kalaw presents “a series of photographs of her immediate family members' homes all over the world.” In the main these are well composed and technically excellent photographs which admirable display Kalaw’s skills with her camera and in the dark/light room.

But without their titles and the associated artist’s statement their significance is greatly diminished. These interiors could have been taken anywhere and, where this is in part the author’s intention, without her drawing the viewers notice to the fact they could have been taken in my home in Australia before I immigrated to the Philippines. There is little that a non-Filipino would identify as being Filipino. And when viewed with this stateless persona they become nice photos of which many examples can be found on Flickr. In fact this exhibition could well be an example of what Tom Wolfe lampoons in his book “The Painted Word”.

Over the bridge in the SLab gallery Renato Orara presents “Library Bookworks,” an exhibition of a hidden installation. Orara has defaced 15 books with the rendering of a human ear on one page in each book. The books have been placed in 15 Libraries throughout the Philippines, one book in each library. The SLab exhibition is a series of photographs of the defaced page from each book along with clues to the locations of the originals with their pen and ink drawings.

By the placement of the rendering over a section of text from a book, that text becomes the de facto title of the work, the significance of which the artist invites the viewer to ponder. And with some of these titles being several sentences long there is plenty of food for thought, especially with the selected text being taken out of the Hurley Burley of the story’s narrative.

That the chosen rendering is of a human ear, whilst encouraging the viewer to use more than one sense to experience the works, underscores the oral tradition of the medium. The choice of books for these renderings also emphasizes that tradition, from a written record of an oral history in the Odyssey to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. With the latter being a book my parents read out loud to me as a child and which I in turn read, in a like manner, to my children.

Then there is the treasure hunt, searching out the originals from the clues provided at the exhibition. Like a search for that perfect gift for a loved one or for the art work that speaks to the heart, the journey is half the fun. This is a project that will keep on giving whilst one scours the nation’s libraries. And being the lackadaisical tourist that I am, I now have an incentive to visit Baguio which has been on my “to do” list for some time.

“Library Bookworks” is highly recommended, especially if you are a fan of the written word as well as the visual arts. In these few words about it I have only skimmed the surface. The defacing of the books and the associated concept that the act of creation is an act of destruction, I will leave you to ponder at your leisure.

Stella Kalaw’s “Family Spaces” exhibition is at the Silverlens main gallery until the 7th of February and Renato Orara’s “Library Bookworks” is at the SLab gallery until the 14th of February. Both galleries can be found at 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City and more info can be found online at www.silverlensphoto.com .

Rework of Airline Sign No 1

2009-01-15T09:19:00.001+08:00

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A friend in the States suggested this rework and she was right. Many thanks Barb.

The Power of the Internet

2009-01-13T07:17:00.001+08:00

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The www is a wonderful place that can and does interconnect people from all corners of the globe. We can strut their stuff, like this blog, and a wealth of information is at our finger tips. But it can also be a monster for the unwary.

Take the case of artist Joanne Mattera and her self named art blog. Fed up with the ageism in the arts that favors the under thirties she decided to curate an exhibition for the over fifties. Called “50 over 50” she was going to show 50 works of art created by professional artists aged fifty or more. Her big mistake was to make it an open submission.

In her own words, “There were almost 100 submissions in my inbox this morning! When I posted this project here on the blog, I was thinking of it as something to involve my readers. Apparently the full text of this post was distributed by several arts organizations to their electronic bulletin boards and list serves.”

And the upshot? Again in her own words, “I cannot imagine processing 100 entries every day, or even half that, for the next two months. I am a working artist who maintains this blog as a labor of love. So with deep regrets I'm canceling this project.”

It’s a shame, it could have been an interesting exhibition. But I can sympathize with her, although part of me says mmmmm “Shoulda seen that one coming”.

On a positive note, through internet activity by friends and supporters of JPG Magazine, it has been given a new lease of life, 200,000 fans cannot be ignored. Seems the noise they were able to make has seen some viable life lines being thrown. As reported in their latest blog post “we have multiple credible buyers interested in giving JPG a home.”