IL ARTE VARIZIONE

IL Arte Variazione
By University of the East Fine Arts
November 5-27, 2010
NCCA Gallery

Complexity in art brings together students and teachers in an exhibit

The one thing that unites artists is their differences. They differ in opinion, medium, and how they see art as a whole. But this diversity is what makes their works interesting, much more when pooled together in an exhibition.

The University of Caloocan College of Fine Arts is mounting an exhibit titled “Il Arte de Variazone (Complexity in Art)” which will feature multimedia works of students and faculty on November 5 at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery, Intramuros, Manila.

Artist and College of Fine Arts faculty Lito de Guzman said the exhibit will see artists’ different expressions of different kinds with students in third and fourth years participating. A number of faculty will also showcase their works.

The decision to display different media is to illustrate the freedom artists in the school have. About 95 percent of the students in all levels are major in painting while the rest major in advertising.

“What we teach the students are not only the basics of drawing, painting, or creating their own masterpiece,” De Guzman said, “We, as teachers, also keep them grounded and let them stay in the real world and express themselves.” Keeping grounded may mean also teaching them how to put a price in their artworks.

De Guzman himself will display a digital output in abstraction using Adobe Photoshop he did for only a few hours. “I can see freedom with computer art,” he explained, “I can do many things here and the results are amazing.”

His daughter, Deborah Chloe de Guzman, is into abstract like her father. “I want people to see beneath my artwork,” she said, “I’d like people to be more intrigued as to what my perspective is. I want them to ask questions and think.”

The younger De Guzman, advertising major, is mounting three artworks: “Metaphor of Nautilus,” “Flamenco Dances,” and “Screaming Sorrow.” These are all abstract which she confessed is her comfort zone or where she best expresses her emotions.

Jommer Louie Bolesa, painting major, has a penchant for clowns or more aptly for drawing his portrait. “Lungkot sa Likod ng Komedya” is a take-off from the theme song of the movie “Payaso” displays a sad face of a clown. Looking beyond the painting, one can see the real life clowns live. Some of them are not always happy but some do. His two other works are “Ruined Clown” which was inspired by the works of American singer, poet, and lyricist, Jim Morrison. “Jack en Poy” is well, Bolesa doing the finger game all by himself.

Chikoy Domingo, another painting major, decided to create three different but connected artworks that will illustrate the life of an artist. “Ang Paglabas Mula sa Tipikal na Mundo” sees a flower where he says means the life artists know before they become artists. “Ang Paghanap sa Sarili” simply means looking beyond what is typical or normal in the real world. “Ang Pagpasok sa Mundo ng Sining” is the artist’s way of finding the highway to art world and learning about himself in the process.

Unlike the young De Guzman who always bats for perfection which is the reason she shies away from Realism, Domingo wants his work to be not perfectly done. “Because nothing is perfect in the real world,” he said, “And I want to reiterate that in my works. Being imperfect is also beautiful.”

Teacher Leandro Uy who has been teaching at UE Caloocan for 17 years and is now also teaching at the College of Saint Benilde will be showcasing a Realistic artwork. He has several works that tackle Abstract and Cubism but decided to mount Modern Realism because he wants to show diversity in the collection. “Even if artists specializes in one medium, they should learn the different styles too so they can do whatever they clients ask them to do.”

Ron Macasio gets more historical with a mural of the Malabon Church (San Bartolome Parish) and Meycauayan City Hall. “I intend to let people see the treasure that is the Malabon Church,” he said, “Its design and architecture has not been properly recognized and this is my chance to make it known to people.” He said that people will get to appreciate it when they see it that is why he sticks with Realism for this particular exhibit.

While some of the students and faculty have participated in various exhibitions in the past, the elder De Guzman said, they are specially happy to be holding it at the NCCA Gallery. “They are excited because having their works displayed and viewed by other artists, seasoned especially, is an honor for them and for us.”

The NCCA Gallery was created to provide a venue for contemporary artists’, students’, and schools’ artworks. This also creates a harmonious exchange of ideas that cultivates mutual respect.

“Il Arte de Variazone (Complexity in Art)” is on view from November 5-27 2010, with Lito de Guzman as curator, other participating artists includes, Leonardo Uy, Don Amorsolo, Romano Macaisa, Fernando Antimano, Chikoy Domingo, Joanne Gopita, Jho BEsa, Jommer Bolesa, Floyd Alcantara, Chloe De Guzman, Joeme de Leon, Biboy Mendoza. NCCA Gallery located at 633 Gen. Luna St. Intramuros Manila (back of San Agustin Church), Gallery Hours is Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5PM. For inquiries please contact Ethel Buluran or Mimi Santos at (632) 527-2192 local 505 or email ncca_gallery@yahoo.com or visit www.ncca.gov.ph