VETERAN artist Willy Magtibay is calling for cultural sensitivity in the midst of an art festival.
Magtibay made public observations he had during the weekend launch of the first Baguio Creative Festival dubbed “EntaCool” saying issues on cultural appropriation and exploitation must be addressed.
Without pointing the accusing finger on anybody, Magtibay said “all is to blame for perpetuating these practices but wearing both the artist’s and the organizer’s hat -- I call on accountability for those concerned. We are a community of artists elevated into ‘Creative City’ status. That title will hold no meaning if the pride of becoming one will again be corrupted by misplaced cultural education, an overzealous economic agenda and the bureaucrat’s obsession with visitor statistics. There is a better way to do this if we are indeed a city of creatives that we claim to be.”
Magtibay, who stands as curator of the event said. His observations were made despite being part of the festivities.
“I say this with the hat of an old artist tired of seeing this year in and year out, and the humility of knowing I was part of the establishment that -- although unaware these were to be done, did nothing when these acts were committed in my presence. I say this without blame nor contempt, but with hopes that the concerned people can reflect and stop these practices perpetuated in the name of marketing and tourism,” Magtibay added.
Magtibay lashed at the act of giving the Secretary General of the Philippine National Commission to Unesco, Lila Shahani, a bul-ul tissue holder as a gift, saying bul-ol is sacred to the Cordillerans and there is no sanctity nor pride in associating it to something as utilitarian and trivial.
“Cultural Appropriation - I’ll leave the definition to the academics and I will understand (albeit saddened and helpless) if the perpetrator is an uninformed vendor merely responding to market forces but it is especially disappointing when persons of authority commit this. At last night’s Kulay ng Siglo opening, no less than Baguio’s tourism officers gifted the Secretary General of the Philippine National Commission to UNESCO, my friend Lila Shahani, with a bul-ol made into a toilet tissue holder,” the local artist added.
A heavier observation was made by Magtibay on the use of live mannequins wearing traditional attire during the event, as well as the use of traditional music and dance.
“Exploitation - no Cordilleran celebration is complete without music and dance and as what has become common practice, organizers get performers from schools and universities to execute this part of the celebrations. These indigenous music and dances have their own cultural context and without the explicit explanation on these contexts the performances may also be construed as cultural appropriation. That’s a long and outstanding debate on its own but last night the organizers did something further - the student dancers were made to stand and pose in their traditional attires inside the rooms where the art installations were. They were made to ‘perform’ as promodizers, like mannequins smiling and showcasing their wares to the buying public. This was completely out of the dances’ cultural context and replete of value juxtaposed to the concept and meaning of the art installations where they were made to pose. It was unnecessary, distasteful, and offensive to the Cordilleran culture, the young dancers and the artists. It reeks of exploitation reminiscent of the St. Louis World Fair of 1904 where Igorot’s were displayed like animals in a zoo in the name of education, entertainment and propaganda,” he added.
Dancers were from the University of the Cordilleras.
Over the weekend, the creative festival was launched at the historic Diplomat Hotel.