PHILIPPINE NOSTALGIA AT THE PHILIPPINE CENTER
The Philippine Center New York will open a new exhibit on Philippine culture and traditions on October 13, 2017 at 6 pm. The three-man exhibition, Philippine Nostalgia, explores the fascinating aspects of Philippine life by looking back on the sentimental and iconic Filipino ways of life. Philippine Nostalgia features the new works of 3 Philippine-based artists: Carlito Amalla, Gari Apolonio and Denes Dasco. The three artists are all graduates of the UP College of Fine Arts in Diliman, Quezon City. Amalla holds a BFA Painting degree from Batch 2003 and an MA Art History (2012). Apolonio holds a BFA Major in Art History batch 2005 and Dasco is a BFA Painting degree holder batch 1996. It is curated by UP Fine Arts Professor Rubén DF Defeo.
Each artist explores the aspects of Philippine life that is closest to their heart. Amalla depicts the dance traditions of indigenous peoples from Luzon to Mindanao. He chose this theme as he is an Agusan Manobo himself. Growing up, he knows these dances instinctively and he feels the need to preserve and promote it at a time when Philippine society is modernizing rapidly. Apolonio explores the tradition of local komiks by giving tribute to the komiks creators and their creations. Komiks provided fun leisure time during its heyday with its engrossing stories and superior illustrations. His works reimagine komiks by bringing back some of the great illustrations from the 1940s to the 1990s. Dasco, on the other hand, explores the theme that is universally-experienced by every Filipino—street games. Street games such as patintero, taguan, tumbang preso and luksong tinik made Filipinos’ childhood a happy period worth remembering and retelling among family and friends.
The exhibit is supported by the De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts in Manila. It will open on October 10, Tuesday, and will run until October 20, 2017. The Exhibit Reception will be held on October 13, 6 pm with Consul General Ma. Theresa De Vega as Guest of Honor. On October 12, 2 – 4 pm, Amalla and Apolonio will give an Artist Talk to the Filipino-American community and students so that the new generation of Filipino-Americans will get a better understanding and appreciation of their culture. The Artist Talk will connect the audience to indigenous dances/costumes and traditional komiks. It will be followed by an open forum and art demonstrations. Everyone is invited to grace the Exhibit Reception (October 13, 6 pm) and the Artist Talks (October 12, 2 – 4 pm) for a celebration of a rich culture and friendships in art.