The A-R-S Known As Surrounded By Water
November 19, 1999
The earlier eighties and nineties had a definite overwhelming support for the art culture of the Philippines. There was awareness in most parts of the art scene for change and novelties alongside the more accepted art forms seem to strike apace for even the most hardened critic. The proof is that most sought to be part of the art scene. Most were supportive of what should earn distinctions and admiration for good works, better artists, simple venues and professional people behind great and memorable shows. It could be said that it was an era of well-informed audiences and a critical and discerning public.
The dawn of a new millennium prove to be anti-climatic, for few raved out the chance to break their monotonous existence and apathy which helped give birth to the newest baby culture: the A-R-S functions. It promised the most of what creative thinkers dreamed of : the dark head of youthful idealism in reality. With the right foundations, better artists to run, solid credentials not really based on being in their teens it would have been successful to be of credit to metamorphosing the lagging art culture. But it was a bit untimely that it only left a bigger void in direction, a distaste for what young artists could produce, a trend in mass exhibitions, selective memory for “already exhibited” (AE) and “I’ve have seen these before!?” works and a perception of a hopeless carousel existence in this millennium sub art culture. Add much to the idealism a resource very much overrun by non-professionalism, irreverence to example, bluff and bravura to envision and failings of the people involved to organize and accomplish endeavors. Well…
Complementing what is great with the age, to established venues, to do a greater lead and to open eyes of audiences to opportunities with what is promised. The times are hard but optimism should prevail. Each generation brings a challenge that the next take to the morass or to the great heights and lengths… (We are at the forefront now. ..Sigh…)
Most interesting and quite singular was the series, by artist Louie Cordero, that include works like “Attack Of the Killer Pancit Canton” & “Godzilla vs. Mickey Mouse” shown at Surrounded By Water, Angono Rizal. It opened the very aim and ideals. When venue and lead were offered for minimal or usually free help, there was a great interest among exhibiting young students and artists. Other noted shows by these A-R-S galleries are Anino, Pasa at Pasanin, Philippine Underground Illustration, Perfect Conditions and Pass further lent credence to the aim and support of Surrounded By Water as it opened again at Edsa, Mandaluyong City .
The Big Sky Mind Bar cum art space, I had no expectations yet so I would not discuss its aim beyond its watering hole premise. The Junkshop offered by Sps. Eng & Russ Chan, as one could summize have in part influenced the ideologies and crowd of art student to empower themselves that opened easily the acceptance for also same crowd of SBW A-R-S.
One could expect the regular annual shows like Sound Art and Dog Show to be much bigger and better than ever with the simultaneous openings boasting in two Surrounded By Water artist run spaces in Angono and now in Edsa, Mandaluyong City (until funds would allow that is.) It fueled much enthusiasm I guess and revelations.
Openings are usually accompanied by nightly happenings that are free of booze and admission and that for many is still a revelation. Established galleries with their misplaced snobbishness and AB clientele would rather close doors than allow brazen audiences or students to attend. What you can’t see exhibits and artist also offered another spite. The SBW A-R-S thrust was very different from the closed-door-viewing of other galleries that needs invitations at openings. It offered the extremes, too naively.
The artist run space or A-R-S was fast becoming places notable with young and established artists. When one accustom the night openings or the afternoon art talks over coffee or beer, one could enjoy the placid scenery and the cool air of the evenings and maybe even become veterans in braving and battling the Sunday to and fro travel even to as far away as Angono Rizal.
The shows and exhibitions spiced up the rustic ambiance of Angono, Rizal as one occasionally hear from an established artist who frequents the place and might I add, stressed the residents to no end . A boost to the ever dynamic locale.
The artist run space or A-R-S receive quiet support from the resident artists and its municipality in its projects for the community artists and grudging benediction as local government interceded in most of them. With the rich heritage and traditions that one grows up in, one could marvel at the future of Angono, Rizal or for other provinces as premiers of art community. Long have the people of the province seen the need to encourage and support its artists for a better foundation for the community.
The different ideologies, concepts and the varied art works achieved diverse reactions for the shows, highlighting its aim to support the more talented people. Hardly described as nationwide-noted, the exhibitions still establish grounds that nurture, discipline and sustain potentials, if not, the artists’ self-worth. It is a stage few artists could say they started with youthful exuberance and could have done without.
The occasion opened our learning and hunger to test concepts, ideas, and introduce peers in preparing exhibits, relationships with their audience and professionalism. The artist place tried to encourage co-active relations and dynamism that are hardly established in the fine art academe---points that are firmly grounded in observations and actual practice.
The gallery was never conceived as a means to an end but a simple venue for exploration and immersion for both starting and young artists that hopefully would lead to a stronger sense of purpose for the art scene. The artist space has nurtured these goals, quite reflective with some of the exhibits shown the past year. More than this, it has touched-base with local groups, community immersion, and initiated activities that involve its young talents in collaborations with other groups.
Its location among the Province of Rizal might have put off viewers from venturing out of their comfy homes but it grudgingly impressed a number of people who now frequent the exhibition and now, even offered support in kind. Its quite sad that most do not transcend the inconveniences and ends the battle-lost. Yet, the gallery known as Surrounded By Water, flourishes with its active brand of people. Time and the best shows still need to prove its vision in this year of 1999.
The Philippine art scene seems never to be more vibrant than this. An aspect of idealism and practicality that one would rather have along with in the contemporary artist scene, today. Feeding a spirit borne from sincerity, passion and vision embodied in the young that the Surrounded By Water the artist venue has moved.
* * *
Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
*** visit me at
http://www.facebook.com/miel.roldan
at my blogs:
www.amielroldan.wordpress.com
www.amielroldan.blogspot.com
www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/a-g-roldan.html
www.myspace.com/amiel_roldan
www.amiel_roldan.multiply.com
www.face-pic.com/amiel_roldan
please comment and tag if you like my compilations.
amiel_roldan@yahoo.com
amiel.roldan@gmail.com
P.S. A friend posted this disclosure. I am willing to try it out.
Warning: Any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or... the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile. You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee, agent, student or any personnel under your direction or control the contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
The earlier eighties and nineties had a definite overwhelming support for the art culture of the Philippines. There was awareness in most parts of the art scene for change and novelties alongside the more accepted art forms seem to strike apace for even the most hardened critic. The proof is that most sought to be part of the art scene. Most were supportive of what should earn distinctions and admiration for good works, better artists, simple venues and professional people behind great and memorable shows. It could be said that it was an era of well-informed audiences and a critical and discerning public.
The dawn of a new millennium prove to be anti-climatic, for few raved out the chance to break their monotonous existence and apathy which helped give birth to the newest baby culture: the A-R-S functions. It promised the most of what creative thinkers dreamed of : the dark head of youthful idealism in reality. With the right foundations, better artists to run, solid credentials not really based on being in their teens it would have been successful to be of credit to metamorphosing the lagging art culture. But it was a bit untimely that it only left a bigger void in direction, a distaste for what young artists could produce, a trend in mass exhibitions, selective memory for “already exhibited” (AE) and “I’ve have seen these before!?” works and a perception of a hopeless carousel existence in this millennium sub art culture. Add much to the idealism a resource very much overrun by non-professionalism, irreverence to example, bluff and bravura to envision and failings of the people involved to organize and accomplish endeavors. Well…
Complementing what is great with the age, to established venues, to do a greater lead and to open eyes of audiences to opportunities with what is promised. The times are hard but optimism should prevail. Each generation brings a challenge that the next take to the morass or to the great heights and lengths… (We are at the forefront now. ..Sigh…)
Most interesting and quite singular was the series, by artist Louie Cordero, that include works like “Attack Of the Killer Pancit Canton” & “Godzilla vs. Mickey Mouse” shown at Surrounded By Water, Angono Rizal. It opened the very aim and ideals. When venue and lead were offered for minimal or usually free help, there was a great interest among exhibiting young students and artists. Other noted shows by these A-R-S galleries are Anino, Pasa at Pasanin, Philippine Underground Illustration, Perfect Conditions and Pass further lent credence to the aim and support of Surrounded By Water as it opened again at Edsa, Mandaluyong City .
The Big Sky Mind Bar cum art space, I had no expectations yet so I would not discuss its aim beyond its watering hole premise. The Junkshop offered by Sps. Eng & Russ Chan, as one could summize have in part influenced the ideologies and crowd of art student to empower themselves that opened easily the acceptance for also same crowd of SBW A-R-S.
One could expect the regular annual shows like Sound Art and Dog Show to be much bigger and better than ever with the simultaneous openings boasting in two Surrounded By Water artist run spaces in Angono and now in Edsa, Mandaluyong City (until funds would allow that is.) It fueled much enthusiasm I guess and revelations.
Openings are usually accompanied by nightly happenings that are free of booze and admission and that for many is still a revelation. Established galleries with their misplaced snobbishness and AB clientele would rather close doors than allow brazen audiences or students to attend. What you can’t see exhibits and artist also offered another spite. The SBW A-R-S thrust was very different from the closed-door-viewing of other galleries that needs invitations at openings. It offered the extremes, too naively.
The artist run space or A-R-S was fast becoming places notable with young and established artists. When one accustom the night openings or the afternoon art talks over coffee or beer, one could enjoy the placid scenery and the cool air of the evenings and maybe even become veterans in braving and battling the Sunday to and fro travel even to as far away as Angono Rizal.
The shows and exhibitions spiced up the rustic ambiance of Angono, Rizal as one occasionally hear from an established artist who frequents the place and might I add, stressed the residents to no end . A boost to the ever dynamic locale.
The artist run space or A-R-S receive quiet support from the resident artists and its municipality in its projects for the community artists and grudging benediction as local government interceded in most of them. With the rich heritage and traditions that one grows up in, one could marvel at the future of Angono, Rizal or for other provinces as premiers of art community. Long have the people of the province seen the need to encourage and support its artists for a better foundation for the community.
The different ideologies, concepts and the varied art works achieved diverse reactions for the shows, highlighting its aim to support the more talented people. Hardly described as nationwide-noted, the exhibitions still establish grounds that nurture, discipline and sustain potentials, if not, the artists’ self-worth. It is a stage few artists could say they started with youthful exuberance and could have done without.
The occasion opened our learning and hunger to test concepts, ideas, and introduce peers in preparing exhibits, relationships with their audience and professionalism. The artist place tried to encourage co-active relations and dynamism that are hardly established in the fine art academe---points that are firmly grounded in observations and actual practice.
The gallery was never conceived as a means to an end but a simple venue for exploration and immersion for both starting and young artists that hopefully would lead to a stronger sense of purpose for the art scene. The artist space has nurtured these goals, quite reflective with some of the exhibits shown the past year. More than this, it has touched-base with local groups, community immersion, and initiated activities that involve its young talents in collaborations with other groups.
Its location among the Province of Rizal might have put off viewers from venturing out of their comfy homes but it grudgingly impressed a number of people who now frequent the exhibition and now, even offered support in kind. Its quite sad that most do not transcend the inconveniences and ends the battle-lost. Yet, the gallery known as Surrounded By Water, flourishes with its active brand of people. Time and the best shows still need to prove its vision in this year of 1999.
The Philippine art scene seems never to be more vibrant than this. An aspect of idealism and practicality that one would rather have along with in the contemporary artist scene, today. Feeding a spirit borne from sincerity, passion and vision embodied in the young that the Surrounded By Water the artist venue has moved.
* * *
Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
*** visit me at
http://www.facebook.com/miel.roldan
at my blogs:
www.amielroldan.wordpress.com
www.amielroldan.blogspot.com
www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/a-g-roldan.html
www.myspace.com/amiel_roldan
www.amiel_roldan.multiply.com
www.face-pic.com/amiel_roldan
please comment and tag if you like my compilations.
amiel_roldan@yahoo.com
amiel.roldan@gmail.com
P.S. A friend posted this disclosure. I am willing to try it out.
Warning: Any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or... the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile. You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee, agent, student or any personnel under your direction or control the contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
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