THE recently concluded Conference on Southeast Asian Crafts and Folk Art (ICSEACFA) gathered the best of the academe, artists and artisans for talks and exhibitions which champion’s art, heritage and culture.
Led by the University of the Philippines - Baguio (UPB), ICSEACFA highlighted focusing presentation of papers on Baguio as a creative city as well as other industries while the bazar focused on sustainable crafts by a select group of entrepreneurs.
The Apunan [a place where people gather] exhibit gathered young and up and coming artisans, artists and entrepreneurs based in Baguio or those who have ties with the city and select Asean countries aiming to provide examples of sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible endeavors.
Liza Ann Acevedo–Ilagan, curator for the art exhibit related the selection exudes the Cordilleran culture in contemporary art forms highlighting traditional practices from promising to veteran artists with over 25 pieces on display.
Artists for the exhibit were Leonard Aguinaldo, Ged Alangui, Kora Dandan Albano, Clinton Aniversario, Roland Bay-an Bruno, Marlyn Bulayo de Lazo, Hermie Carvajal, Joseph Andrew Sirk Deuda, Liza Ann Ilagan Acevedo, Jordan Mang-osan, Jojet Mondares, Reglos Lamberto, Tara Lalaine Natividad, Patric Palasi, Virgilio Paterno, Kelly Ramos with sculpture pieces by Roberto “Bob” Acosta, Gilbert Alberto, Ernesto Dul-ang and Fara Nolasco Manuel.
Installation art were executed by Kigao Rosimo dubbed as “Pagapunan” while a collaborative piece by artist Ged Alangui, Dindo Llana, Kelly Ramos and Kigao Rosimo was done on site “The Blooming-Bamboo-TriangleBoat-CollaborativeInstant-Lation-Art.”
The collaborative piece was described “From a pile of one hundred bamboos, four artists collaborated to spontaneously create this installation. This triangle bamboo boat is a stand-alone installation piece on the round that is held together by itself. The artists built this structure without tools and with the minimum amount of time and manpower. It stands on the strength of the interweaving warp and weft of bamboo, of bayanihan, of the intrinsic fairness of the triangle, of the idea of balance.”
Victoria Lourdes Diaz, curator for the bazar said the group is a mix of local and international entrepreneurs guided with the theme of sustainability and creative economies.
Handpicked for best standards in the production process, preservation of arts and heritage the social entrepreneurs were asked to display products that resonated the entire theme of the conference.
Bazar exhibitors included; Accents and petals crafts and accessories, Asean handicraft promotion and development association, Butatow Artists collective, Easter Weaving Room Inc., Edaya, Everything is Pine, Habi, The Philippine Textile Council, Jher and Jhai’s Furniture and Handicraft, Mayat – an Handicrafts, Museo Kordilyera Bookshop, Narda’s Handwoven arts and crafts, Pilak silver crafts and gift shop and Topskill handicrafts.