Designer Art
By Eva McGovern
Where do we draw the line between Art and Design? The two are often grouped together but clear differentiations are confusing to articulate. When both are sources of inspiration for the other these delineations are based almost purely on nuanced emotional intuition whether approached by informed or uninformed audiences. Nevertheless, if necessary, such niche distinctions normally lie within value systems based around quality. Design praises form and functionality, impeccable finish durability and its ability to fulfil its intended purpose. Style and innovation perpetuate its evolution, visual sophistication and beauty. Aesthetic and practical signifiers therefore determine quality. Contemporary Fine Art, although concerned with such principles has expanded its reach to revere conceptual ideas even at the expense of the perfect finish. Ironically visual Art now has a very complicated relationship with Beauty. As such the purpose of art is also much more abstract. Its reason for existence is not for physical interaction but something more complex that incorporates the pleasure of looking with intellectual questioning and self-reflexivity. Manila Contemporary takes these interwoven ideas as a departure point for a dynamic presentation of work by two contemporary artists, Poklong Anading, Louie Cordero and Broke, the unique design strand of well known fabrication company Bespoke based in Manila. The result is an experimental mix of functional and conceptual Fine Art objects that take an integrated approach to art, design and life revealing interconnectivities, convergence points and new sites of play and consideration.
When Art is taken out of the gallery/museum environment and placed within another interior such as a home or office its intellectual aura, as emphasised by white cube dynamics, diminishes. Furniture, lighting, family mementos, books, flowers, office furniture, and people shifts Art’s function to become a specially created or designed object incorporated into interior design. It is something to be enjoyed aesthetically, in the way it fits into a living social space as well as its conceptual underpinning. Concurrently, many functional high and low design objects have been admired for their innovation and level of craftsmanship that excite and inspire audiences similar to the experiences of Fine Art. Broke + Louie Cordero and Poklong Anading explores these dynamics to expand our understanding of the possibilities of Art and Design. By creating an alternative social space within the gallery they attempt to destabilise conventional notions of art objects that are fragile and not to be touched. This new temporary site encourages interaction through the accessibility of function. Curious and challenging sitting structures and a sculptural lamps allow viewers the freedom to relax, enjoy and consider how we live and engage with creative objects. Art can be functional and Design can go beyond simple utility.
The exhibition embraces the attitude of the practitioners in the show, that anything is possible if you have the skills and commitment to idea, regardless of size or ambition. As the Director of Bespoke Jeremy Guiab has helped to create many of the complex objects produced by Poklong Anading and Louie Cordero. Working behind the scenes with his colleague and artist/curator of the show Gary Ross Pastrana they now create new work that represent Broke the unique design strand of the company which forms part of the exhibition at Manila Contemporary. This sense of shared experience is important. All of the works were produced in the same workshop and the participants have been long standing colleagues, friends and co-conspirators in each others practice. Presenting the findings of this creative laboratory of ideas each work reveals the curiosities and concerns of each individual as well as their shared goals of integrating Art and Design.
Broke+Poklong Anading+Louie Cordero will likely be traveling to Seoul, proclaimed design capital of the world and Milan's Salon Di Mobile in 2011.
Broke+Poklong Anading+Louie Cordero opens on Saturday, 17 July 2010 at
6pm in Manila Contemporary. Manila Contemporary is located at Whitespace, 2314 Pasong Tamo Extension, Brgy. Magallanes, Makati City. For inquiries about the exhibition, please contact Sidd at 844 7328 or email to
s.perez@manilacontemporary.com
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