Galerie Stephanie

Synthesis of Affinities

23 Mar to 1 Apr 2022

Coming from different generations and working in various styles, this ensemble portrays different approaches in art and image-making.

Synthesis of Affinities looks into the linked affinities of an individual with the self and the world beyond. The Iranian philosopher Reza Negarestani writes in Cyclonopedia (2008) that “Each particle of dust carries with it a unique vision of matter, movement, collectivity, interaction, affect, differentiation, composition, and infinite darkness.” In essence, these particles insert themselves inside the multiplicities of oneself as we participate in forming relationships with ourselves and others. The exhibition will feature works by Emman Acasio, Renz Baluyot, Katrina Cuenca, Genavee Lazaro, Aileen Lanuza, Hae Ryun, Ramon Orlina, Nunzio Paci, Gabby Prado, Mark Santos, Vincent de Pio, Reybert Ramos, and Jomike Tejido. Coming from different generations and working in various styles and formats, Synthesis of Affinities arranges an ensemble where identities are portrayed using different approaches in art and image-making. The symbolic amalgamation of particles in the materials and objects that are found among the works in the presentations marks the individual’s longing for relationships and inclusions in the matters of the universe.

Metro Gallery

SOLACE

23 Mar to 1 Apr 2022

Copino’s exhibition, Solace, reveals how the artist has found safety, comfort, and intimacy within the confines of the domestic space. In the brass sculptures that share the title of the exhibition, a person fully inhabits the interior of a home, with only their legs jutting out. Flames emerge from the rooftops, perhaps an association of the warmth—physical or otherwise—that is said to be tended within the home. The sculptural pieces show how the house is not merely an extension of life but life itself.

Solace Mark “Elias Kidat” Copino

When Odette devastated Cebu in December of last year, Mark “Elias Kidat” Copino, along with his family, retreated to Madridejos, a fishing village in Bantayan Island north of the province. While the artist already had a budding idea of what he wanted to present for Art Fair Philippines under Metro Gallery, it was the simplicity of small-town life and the distance from the commotion of urban life that nurtured his concept into fruition.

Copino’s exhibition, Solace, reveals how the artist has found safety, comfort, and intimacy within the confines of the domestic space. In the brass sculptures that share the title of the exhibition, a person fully inhabits the interior of a home, with only their legs jutting out. Flames emerge from the rooftops, perhaps an association of the warmth—physical or otherwise—that is said to be tended within the home. The sculptural pieces show how the house is not merely an extension of life but life itself.

In his paintings, Copino situates the figure Elias that functions as a stand-in for the artist. Shown against the flat and bold colors of a home (which achieves a graphic quality), the protagonist contends with its multiple meanings and associations. Copino’s background as a street artist is evinced by how Elias, for instance, is rendered as a stencil impression. The method allows the artist to decide on how transparent or opaque he wants the images to be, depending on the pressure he applies on the roller or the squeegee as it makes a passage on the canvas as he plays around with juxtapositions.

Solace—using a visual language that is spare, distilled, and highly metaphorical—ultimately contemplates what the artist calls as his “archive of experiences.” In translating his insight into the select corners of his life, Copino hopes that the viewer will see themselves reflected back by his works. “I’m just using my experiences for them to connect to their own experiences,” the artist states. Through this dialogic relationship, a bolt of understanding may occur, such as the fire that crowns the rooftops of Copino’s works.

-Carlomar Arcangel Daoana

CANVAS Gallery and Garden

I AM THE STORYTELLER

23 Mar to 1 Apr 2022

Wordless storytelling are images that speaks of great stories.

We believe that art can enable meaningful storytelling. We have seen this in how visual narratives inspire imagination, especially among young viewers. Art, after all, does not exist in a vacuum. It can shape minds and influence opinions. It can provide legacies and lessons for future generations.

Each artwork in this show contains the seeds for countless stories. It is up to the viewer to unlock what is most relevant and genuine for him or her. In this sense, Each artwork is also an invitation to find inspiration and become storytellers themselves.

An idea that started here: https://www.instagram.com/iamthestoryteller.art/

Metro Gallery

Someday

23 Mar to 1 Apr 2022

Into the World of Carlos

24-27 March 2022

The onsite exhibition will run from 24 - 27 March at the R1 Lifestyle Hallway of Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

“I wish I could step into your world.”

For decades, Carlos has used his brushes and paints to create a poetic world full of beauty, vivid colors, and music—prompting his collectors to say, “I wish I could step into your world.” This sentiment has informed the artist's exhibition, “Into My World,” a collection of recent works as well as paintings selected from the archives.

As an extension of his art, the artist has added a new medium to his oeuvre: NFTs. For the first time in his career, Carlos is producing seven NFTs in collaboration with motion designer IJ Cacnio. “Stepping into his world” has guided the thematic concept of the NFTs, translating seven pieces into works of animation. The NFTs have been dropped simultaneously with this exhibition on https://foundation.app/@artbycarlos as a grant from First Mint Fund.

“It is quite the adventure to embark,” says Carlos. “While NFTs are a new medium for me, it is an exciting and organic progression for my work, one that transcends physical and temporal limitations and holds so many possibilities.”

“His work is timeless and relatable,” says Cacnio. “It was a tedious but rewarding process, because I would discover meaningful details that I didn’t notice before editing it.”

“I’m glad that IJ has translated my paintings into a work of animation,” says Carlos. “As an artist, I have always used intense colors, kinetic compositions, and of course, poetic subjects to simulate movement. To see it come alive like this is to create the ‘world’ I’ve tried to build through my career as a painter, and I hope my collectors see, in these NFTs, their dreams come true, thanks to the animation skills of IJ."

“I create the paintings with the intention that, in the mind of the viewer, the scene moves and one can almost hear the music. They can follow how the paintings move them; I tell a story by painting scenes, making them very poetic. IJ included music—which was his own idea—and for me, that proves that the paintings do have music in them.”

Breaking into the NFT space at 72 is a refreshing indication of the artist's enthusiasm to explore new media in his artistic journey. “I really respect Carlos for trying out new things with his art,” says IJ Cacnio, himself a creator and collector of NFTs with experience as tech lead in international immersive exhibits. Carlos’ career has included various on-site exhibitions here and abroad, and now, on the metaverse as well.

“The plan is to continue creating NFTs, collaborating, continuing to build this world into a coherent space on the metaverse. It is exciting to see how our team and I will build it, and especially how other artists might do their own takes on it,” says Carlos.

For more information, please visit the artist’s website at www.artbycarlos.com, message +639178225673, or email contact@artbycarlos.com.

Ibagiw Art Fest x Gallery 2600

Coded: Queue R. Here: Is No Contact Good Contact?

23 Mar to 1 Apr 2022

An intermedia exhibition featuring the works of Oliver Olivete. Exhibition dates: October 14, 2021 to January 10, 2022 at Gallery 2600

Coded: Queue R. Here: Is No Contact Good Contact? An intermedia exhibition featuring the works of Oliver Olivete

"Coded: Queue R. Here: Is No Contact Good Contact?" featuring the works of Oliver Olivete, aims to show life after a year of the pandemic and how it affects the community, the artists and residents of Baguio City.

Has Covid 19 robbed us of humanity? QR CODED attempts to show life after the onset of the pandemic and how the forced disconnect with society affected the way of life.

Is humanity lessened in the new contactless world? COVID 19 has pushed the emergence of contactless interactions and with the use of QR code, a technology in use in developed, 1st world countries but is now being prematurely pushed in 3rd world countries like the Philippines. The exhibit intends to show the result of the premature use of this technology in a largely poor society.

Is no contact, good contact? QR CODED aims to show how small & micro businesses with artists and artisans cope as it demonstrates how the Filipino has adjusted to contactless service and how extended confinement affected humanity creatively, physically, mentally and professionally. The show highlights work crafted from wood, tile and found objects to complete an interweaved story of the times through Oliver Olivete’s own experience, opinion and point of view.

Olivete said “The outbreak of COVID 19 brought major changes in our way of life, and one of this is the emphasis on contactless interaction bringing the urgent push on the use of technology because it reduces face to face interaction.”

The show also aims to show how the majority of Filipinos and the small & micro businesses are coping.