CLOUDS AND WINGS

An optic-aural landing in Manila Contemporary

The collaborative partnership previously know as Reamillo + Juliet takes another shot at reviving itself in Clouds & Wings. Departing from a relationship that continues to art making, Alwin Reamillo, who was based in Perth for over a decade, and British-Australian Juliet show the lines crossed culturally in their respective series that take into consideration the socio-political climates of both the Philippines and Australia.

In “Colorblind disasters”, Lea reflects social concern regarding the particular issue of non-poliferation of nuclear arms – Australia being a major producer of uranium and consequently holding the responsibility in the way it will be traded and disposed of. On the other hand, Reamillo utilizes a play of images and ideas of the country's past, present and future, on an object bound to his family's heritage – the piano. This specific interest and activity of restoring and deconstructing a particular root in turn transforms into looking at a bigger historical picture, with the piano and its wings (constructed in a similar process as with the production of a piano) serving as Reamillo's “landing point” after a long flight.

Clouds & Wings likewise draw a mutual compatibility to Reamillo and Lea's use and appropriation and engagement of the biological functions – optical and aural – as means to aesthetic encounter. As an effect of a color blind test is present in a majority of Lea's works, she likewise makes use of books – a universal subject that is referent of sight. A referent of sound, Reamillo's pianos will be functioning more than a display of skillful and beautiful piano construction – they are to be played. In this light, Clouds & Wings will open on Saturday, 19 June 2010 at 6pm with a classical and jazz program on Reamillo's three art case pianos. Performers are Popo San Pascual (Arabesque by Claude Debussy), Joudann Petalver (Intermezzo in A Major Opus 118 No.2 by Brahms), Chance Elan Israel (Grandes Etudes de Paganini in A minor No.6 by Franz Lizst), Marvin Tamayo (La Cathedral Engloutie by Claude Debussy) and Khavn dela Cruz.

Clouds and Wings opens on Saturday, 19 June 2010 at 6pm in Manila Contemporary. The exhibition will run until 11 July 2010. 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