'Poleteismo' work of 'immature' artist
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
August 16, 2011, 6:43pm
MANILA, Philippines — If anything, officials of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) are guilty of including the work of a “juvenile, immature” artist in the controversial “Kulo” exhibit, according to National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose.
The celebrated author spoke at Tuesday’s hearing conducted by the Senate committee on education, arts, and culture on clamor for legislation to regulate exhibits and performances to avoid the controversies like the one sparked by the “blasphemous” mixed media collage of Mideo Cruz entitled “Poleteismo.”
F. Sionil Jose said the CCP officials should have been more perceptive in determining what kind of art should be put on public view.
“All art is propaganda, but not all propaganda is an art,” he said.
Still, F. Sionil Jose said, “Pinag-isipan ko ginawa ko, mahirap maging artista. I hope the CCP would be more sensitive to the disposition of the artists. Art is a very demanding mistress,” Jose said.
Following the three-hour discussion among national artists, constitutional experts, and CCP officials, Senator Edgardo Angara, chairman of the committee, said there is no need for legislation but only for an review of the policies employed by the CCP in the selection of exhibits and performances to prevent another “art mishap.”
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