Friday, July 13, 2007 Serna: Art alert By Roger Serna Sounds and Images
AT this time of advance technology, cybernetics, transformers (who knows the person next to you is one?) and everything, perhaps nobody gives a hoot anymore about Friday the 13th and the like. Or are there still a lot out there who believes about these things?
Anyway, today’s one of those rare occurrences within the year, but we have our own lives to live and activities to attend to. What shall we do then? We have to move on as usual, of course!
Besides, what has happened to our belief in the Almighty? So, on we go, Friday the 13th notwithstanding.
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Last weekend, I came face to face with two types of works of art that practically swept me off my feet and left my mouth agape with awe, amazement and appreciation. This could also hold true to those who have seen them at one time or another.
For others, however, wonderment and confusion could possibly result from viewing such artworks. Who knows?
The first assemblage was that called Large 8, an exhibit of photo-abstractions by eight of the country’s top art photographers, namely: Bien Bautista, Ben Cabrera, Quincy Castillo, Emil Davocol, Pancho Escaler, Jojo Guingona, Wig Tysmans and Jaime Zobel de Ayala printed with the latest Epson technology.
Not only were the artworks splendid, their names were equally poetic. Take for example Escaler’s Harmonious Chaos, Guingona’s Waxing Prolific and Ayala’s Red Exuberance, easily the ones that stuck in my memory.
Adding to my amazement were the way eight respected Cebu designers (Albert Arriba, Jun Escario, Arcy Gayatin, Oj Hofer, Ditas Rodriguez, Philip Rodriguez, Felix Yu and Minnie Yuvienco) designed gowns taking inspiration from the said artworks.
Overwhelming!
Needless to say, Cebu’s beauty queens and top female models gave due justice to the creations (with the help of three dashing male models as escorts).
***
Hearing that the 13th anniversary exhibit of the Cebu Artists Inc. (dubbed Cai 3C Na!) was closing the next day, I immediately proceeded to the SM Art Hall to view the works of Celso Pepito, Pronnie de la Cerna (could be a relative, who knows?), Sonia Yrastorza, Fe M. Pepito, Benjie Goyha, Jun Impas, Ritchie Quijano (familiar name, he-he!), Antonio Vidal, Dong Secuya, Lurline Rodriguez and Minit Carredo.
Their works left me dumbfounded. Whew! Furthermore, they somehow stirred a long-dormant desire to finally free the artistic side of me. O-ha! One of these days, folks! Ha-ha!
In addition, Celso volunteered to do a sketch if I can stay longer, just like what he just did to Ritchie and Minit. I joked that since I’m catching up for another appointment, I’ll gladly pose next time, even naked if forced. Only from the waist up, huh!
I still have to muster enough courage and confidence to go all the way. And earn the ire of the moral guardians and the convent-breds in the process? Ha-haaa! No waaay!
