KAL-ANG

Kal-ang

Exhibition Notes

The search for contemporary art reflecting a locale has proven to be elusive. Especially in a place like Cebu where rich historical and cultural narratives, monuments, and architecture abound, it is just difficult to reconcile the old and the new, the classic and the modern, and the traditional method and the avant-garde practice. Many have tried and have proved to end as a disaster.

Of course, there are a selected few who succeed creating a perfect blend of the paradox. One of them is Josua Cabrera, artist, illustrator, and poet. For his solo exhibition, Kal-ang, iconic landscapes are presented with the use of tuba (Visayan coconut wine), local tabloid clippings, and his signature medium of ink. Starting from his house, Cabrera takes his audience on a tour around Cebu. Iconic landmarks like the Capitol and Magellan’s Cross are revisited while quotidian life around the city are captured. His carefully crafted pieces display a strong sense of local color without sacrificing new methods in depicting cityscapes.

Cabrera provides a glimpse of Cebuano everyday life with tabloid clippings that also banks quotidian events from the mundane to the extraordinary. The artist in his endless wandering around Cebu encounters these stories. He colors them with coconut wine, the very thing that bridges the space between his memory and his roots.

The artist’s past time includes walking around the city to contemplate, think, and find inspiration for his art. Kal-ang provides its audience the similar experience.

JV Castro

ACAS Curator

CEBU CONTEMPORARY at CEBU CITY MUSEUM

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio together with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation and Rockwell Land Corporation opens one important exhibition of contemporary Cebuano art at the Cebu City Museum in January 2012. More than just a display of contemporary regional art, it is a celebration of modernism exemplified by the region’s leading and up-and-coming artists: Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, The Junks Collective, Russ Ligtas, Karl Roque, Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, Vidal Alcoseba, Jr, and Tito Cuevas.

Contemporary Cebu is part of a national effort to promote the art of the Queen City of the South. By holding this exhibition at Cebu City Museum, exposure and appreciation of Cebuano art is given to local artists. The one month-long exhibition allows the public to witness the beauty of modern-day Cebu. The exhibition is co-presented by Casa Gorordo Museum, Gothong Southern, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and supported by the National Committee on Visual Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The exhibition runs from 4-31 January 2012 and is part of Cebu's grand fiesta celebration in honor of its patron Santo Niño de Cebu. For more information, please e-mail johnvincentcastro@yahoo.com or call +63 917 831 8353.

IN LOVING MEMORY III

IN LOVING MEMORY III REMEMBERS THE DEPARTED THROUGH ART AND RELIGION AT ALTERNATIVE CONTEMPORARY ART STUDIO

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio pays tribute to the faithfully departed with bottles, prayers, and souvenirs of the dead this November. An art project of Jason K. Dy, S.J., the exhibition In Loving Memory III will run from November 5, 2011 to November 27, 2011 at the Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Sacred Heart, Parish, Cebu City.

The interactive exhibition between local artists and non-artists showcases a communal installation that pays homage to the dead. Prayers and living objects of the lifeless are displayed in the gallery together with a few pieces from Fr. Dy’s Madrid exhibition Arte+Fe for the World Youth Day last August. Handwritten prayers of the living from five continents are present in Fr. Dy’s installations. Photographed tombstones of Jesuits who founded and run the Sacred Heart Church are also highlighted in the exhibition. Curated by JV Castro, In Loving Memory III testifies to the union of art and religion in contemporary times.

For more information, please contact Fr. Jason K. Dy, S. J. at +63 915 591 4217. E-mail inquiries can be sent to dyjask@yahoo.com.

B/W MEDIUM

B/W MEDIUM

23rd One-Man Show of Boy Kiamko

8 October 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio

Sacred Heart Parish

242 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City

Artist's Statement:

I was once asked about the difference of a neophyte in art and a master. To this I answered: A neophyte is young and learning, paints with his hands and mind, while a master paints with his hands, mind and heart and is seasoned enough to be a genius.

In this 23rd one-man show of my recent works, my first attempt for my first black and white solo show, I chose to probe why black is beautiful. With these various subjects I enjoyed creating, there is proof that black can't stand alone without light. Black is the structure and white is the highlight.

Intermingling is the keyword to the creation of some of my works. A singular subject may be presented in different angles...of different shapes...with different shades.

Interspersing is another method I employ to compose my subjects. I break the continuity of lines by crossing lines with it. Even shades can be overshadowed with another shade.

Of course there are countless ways to create a work of art, as there are many ways to fill our lives with art... to instill life to our world of art.

Nations are at war because of politics...nations are at peace because of art. Art is the only language the world can speak. So, let the artist speak to the world!

WISE MAN FROM THE WEST

Wise Man from the West

An exhibition celebrating the 4th Centenary
of the death of P. Matteo Ricci, SJ,
a wise man from the West.
an apostle to the East
bridging science and evangelization,
Christian religion and Chinese culture
in friendship, humility, service and faith,
for God's greater glory.

29 July to 29 October 2010
SHP Alternative Contemporary Art Studio,
Sacred Heart Parish,
242 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City

The work of evangelization, of making Christians, should be carried on both in Peking and in the provinces… following the methods of pacific penetration and cultural adaptation. Europeanism is to be shunned. Contact with Europeans, specifically with the Portugese in Maca, should be reduced to a minimum. Strive to make good Christians rather than multitudes of indifferent Christians… Eventually when we have a goodly number of Christians, then perhaps it would not be impossible to present some memorial to the Emperor asking that the right of Christians to practice their religion be accorded, inasmuch as is not contrary to the laws of China. Our Lord will make known and discover to us little by little the appropriate means for bringing about in this matter His holy will.

-Matteo Ricci, in his diary regarding his explicit missionary directives.