Bjorn Calleja's The Color Bringer @ Secret Fresh Gallery

Bjorn Calleja’s The Color Bringer opening this Sunday June 26 at Secret Fresh Gallery features paintings that despite the upbeat positivist attitude the exhibit title may invoke, the central figure – a wide-eyed, fat-lipped tubby figure gazes melancholic towards the viewer, as though the offering of a rainbow to a gray monochrome world entailed a great sacrifice for this otherworldly gnome-like creature.

These are painted as portraits color-keyed to their ornate frames and to the wall where they hang. Their singular use of color are so intended as to amplify colors’ emotive response to one’s environment, each “portrait” a spectrum fractal of its maker, the artist, if we are to subscribe to the supposition that each picture an artist makes is essentially a self-portrait.

What Calleja seemingly reveals in this exhibit is that the end of a rainbow is not a pot of gold but rather these gnome-like creatures smirking in their reluctance to bring radiance, to be the color bringers to a world made dreary by routine, and where imagination and wonder are vastly becoming more precious than gold.

Calleja earned his fine arts degree from the Far Eastern University and has been exhibited in several notable galleries in Manila. He had his first solo exhibit at Lost Projects. This is his 2nd solo exhibit.

The launch of The Color Bringer toy, a resin cast figure based on one of Calleja’s paintings in the show, will also coincide with the exhibit. The toy has a limited release of 20 pieces worldwide. Each piece is signed and numbered by the artist.

The Color Bringer exhibit is on view until July 19, 2011.

For further queries email secretfresh.gallery@gmail.com or by calling Secret Fresh at 570-9815 local 7. Updates can also be tracked through Secret Fresh on Facebook, http://www.freshmanila.blogspot.com/ and http://www.twitter.com/freshmanila

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WET by Neil Oshima @ Silverlens Gallery

WET by Neil Oshima

A Roundtable Discussion on Digital vs. Film with Neal Oshima · Sat , June 25, 4-6pm , Silverlens Gallery

Working in photography for the good part of three decades, respected photographer Neal Oshima has witnessed the transition from analog film to digital technology. He now invites you to sit in and join a discussion on DIGITAL vs. FILM. Express what you think and ask what you want to know. Along with Neal, several artists and personalities will be part of the roundtable. Join us at Silverlens Gallery on Saturday, June 25, 4-6pm.

This event is free of charge. RSVP call 8160044 or email manage@silverlensphoto.com.

WET by Neal Oshima runs simultaneously with Postlocal, 2011 curated by Isa Lorenzo featuring Gaston Damag, Pow Martinez and Lynyrd Paras at SLab and Assemblage: Project 3 by Julius Clar at 20SQUARE. All shows will run until June 25.

Words: Jel Tordesillas; Image: Neal Oshima, La Mesa Dam, 2008

For more Museum Foundation events and activities please visit our website at http://museumfoundationph.org/news/

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Museum Foundation Annual General Assembly

Museum Foundation
Annual General Assembly

Save the Date!

Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.
Annual General Assembly

July 28, 2011, Thursday, 3:00 pm
Room 217 National Art Gallery (Old Legislative Building)
National Museum of the Philippines, P. Burgos Street, Manila

Agenda will include elections of the Board of Trustees for 2011-2014 and the inauguration of the newly-renovated Room 217 of the National Art Gallery to be named Museum Foundation of the Philippines Hall.

For more Museum Foundation events and activities please visit our website at http://museumfoundationph.org/news/

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UPFI Film Center this June 2011

School is back and the UP Film Institute is all set for an entire academic year of UPFI Film Center screenings beginning with a distinct selection of films for June 2011.

Reminisce the golden age of Philippine movies in the 1970s as Ishmael Bernal's Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae (1978) is screened on June 15, Wednesday, at 5 pm.

Commemorate Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary with a pair of titles based on the immortal character created by the national hero as Gerardo de Leon's Sisa (1951) is presented back-to-back with Mario O'Hara's Sisa (1999) from June 16, Thursday to June 18, Saturday.

Savor the best of French cinema as this year's French Film Festival courtesy of the Embassy of France in the Philippines holds a special engagement for the premiere state university from June 29, Wednesday to July 2, Saturday.

Currently on view at the Ishmael Bernal Gallery are photo and video works from the recent graduates of the UPFI Summer Workshops under the helm of Kiri Dalena, Frankie Callaghan, Gari Buenavista, Daemon Becker, Milo Paz and Estan Cabigas.

LGBT artists and supporters gather together on June 24, Friday for The Pink Manifesto, which aims to foster a sense of community and pride while also valuing individuality through art, music and ideas.

Outdoor photo installation features young conceptual artist Catalina Africa's Broken Pleases. Her work contemplates the origin of perceived tragedies, how moments so small and secret can deceive us with an almost elementary mockery.

CINE ADARNA:

French Film Festival 2011
June 29 - July 2

VIDEOTHEQUE:

*Back to Classics:

Ishmael Bernal’s Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae
June 15 Wed / 5pm

*Rizal's 150th Birth Anniversary

June 16 Thu & 17 Fri
5pm - Gerardo de Leon's Sisa (1951)
7pm - Mario O'Hara's Sisa (1999)

June 18 Sat
230pm - Mario O'Hara's Sisa (1999)
5pm - Gerardo de Leon's Sisa (1951)
*Admission Fee : P 35

ISHMAEL BERNAL GALLERY:

*UPFI Workshops Exhibition
runs until June 17

*The Pink Manifesto
A Celebration of Life, Music and Diversity
June 24 Fri / 6pm

*Outdoor Installation:
Broken Pleases by Catalina Africa
June 23 - July 23

*ADMISSION IS FREE TO ALL SCREENINGS AND EVENTS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED*

FORTHCOMING THIS JULY:

*Kano
July 5 Tue / 5 & 7pm

*Taiwan Film Festival
July 20-22

*Cinemalaya 7
July 26 - 29
Aug 2 - 5

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Toots Magsino at ArtistSpace for "Between Episodes"

To friends and family of Toots Magsino, naming her tenth solo show “Between Episodes” is self-explanatory. But to any stranger, the mixed media collage artist shares no hints of struggling with bipolar disorder.

“The arsenal I choose to combat this with is art,” claims Magsino. “I owe a great deal of my sanity and survival to it.”

“Between Episodes” will show at Ayala Museum ArtistSpace, running from June 15 to 28, 2011. An autobiographical talk will be held on June 18 at 3:30PM, also at ArtistSpace in line with the exhibition.

The works were created in between two major bipolar episodes. “Though I do suffer from the condition, it does not define me,” Magsino confesses. “My experiences are chronicled in the mixed media collages I have created. They are quiet, introspective, personal reflections.”

During her talk, Magsino will recount her non-traditional beginnings, the serendipitous journey that led her to spend thirteen years in New York, and the unusual circumstances that brought her back to Manila.

Magsino adds, “My art has evolved into an intimate dialogue between myself and the viewer. It’s like a special communication between two minds who seek to understand the other deeply.”

Toots Magsino has studied, lived, and worked in New York City since 1997. She completed two 4-year programs at the Art Students League of New York: Fine Arts Painting and Fine Arts Printmaking. In 2007, Carnegie Hall chose her abstract piece, “Unveil”, over 800 entries in a national art competition and used the artwork on their June playbill’s front cover. The following year, she was awarded an O-1B artist visa, granted by the United States government to “individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts”. She has participated in over 30 group shows in the United States, Italy, Japan, Canada and the Philippines.

ArtistSpace is located at the 2F Glass Lane of Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street Greenbelt Park, Makati City, accessible via Greenbelt 4 walkway. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information, call 757-7117 to 21 local 24 or 35.

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"DIALOGO" at Verve Gallery, One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites

DIALOGO
Opening on June 19, 2011
with an artists talk at 2pm
Verve Gallery, One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites
Tagaytay City
Exhibit runs till August 31, 2011

In celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, Verve Gallery at One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites will be mounting an exhibit entitled "DIALOGO" on June 19, 2011 (Sunday). An artists talk by the DIALOGO artists will be held at 2pm, which is open to the public.

The exhibit will feature works that deal with different concepts on heroism by the following artists:
Paul Acena, Carlo Aranton, Jason de Ocampo, P. Luis Francisco, Neil Jason Grantoza, Michael Vincent Manalo, Mike Manansala, Richard Montero, Ioannis Sicuya, and Adeodatus Sta. Juana.

In partnership with hotelwithheart.com, part of the proceeds from the exhibition will go to Dynamic Teen Company – Efren Penaflorida's (2009 CNN hero of the Year) organization for teaching street children.

For further details, please visit www.onetagaytayplace.com or e-mail vervegallery@ymail.com.

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Artists in Conversation at Lopez Museum on July 16

Featured in About Face are four artists whose portraits are renderings of some of the works in the collection of the Lopez Memorial Museum and Library. Vermont Coronel, Renan Ortiz, Louie Talents and Alvin Zafra lent their old works and worked on new ones as well to create non-traditional portraitures with the use of new and unconventional media. Their works present images that ask the viewers to re-examine their idea of portraiture in light of today's celebrity culture, identity thefts, avatars, etc. On July 16, Saturday, 2-4 pm, these artists will discuss their processes and inspirations, aided by questions raised by one another and the audience.

 About Face explores the idea that the face represents the persona with which one confronts the world and how penetrable these public facades can be, the featured artists will use and incorporate portraits from the museum and the library archives of Lopez Museum. These include works by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Macario Vitalis, Fabian de la Rosa, Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala, Juvenal Sanso, Fernando Amorsolo, Benedicto Cabrera, Fernando Zobel , and the extensive Rizaliana holdings in light of the 150th birth commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal. It runs until August 27.

 The Lopez Memorial Museum is at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Museum days and hours are Mondays-Saturdays, 8am-5pm, except Sundays and holidays. Call 6312417 or email admin@lopez-museum.org for details.

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Four Folds: An Exhibition of Tam-awan Village Artists at NOVA Gallery Manila

Baguio based artists Leonardo Aguinaldo, Edwin Macadaeg, Jordan Mang-osan and John Frank Sabado present works representative of Cordillera culture in their new show “Four Folds”.

Their works of various media brings to the audience the different facets of the Cordillera culture with respect to its socio-political situation, environmental issues and shamanic/spiritual beliefs.

The exhibit runs from 17 June to 8 July 2011 at NOVA Gallery, Warehouse 12A, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

For more information call 392-7797 or send an electronic mail to gallerynova@gmail.com or visit www.novagallerymanila.com

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Celebrate Pride Month with Care Divas

Task Force Pride Philippines (TFP) presents "June 2011 Pride Pilipinas Calendar of Events". TFP once again gathered the major events that will happen in Manila during the month-long celebration and events by different organizations and groups from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Part of the TFPP calendar includes the evening performances of Philippine Educational Theater Association’s hit comedy musical “Care Divas” on June 17-19, 8:00 P.M. at the PETA Theater Center.

“Care Divas” is a disarmingly funny and candid musical drama about five transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers in the morning and come night fall, transform into glamorous drag queen performers. While desperate to make ends meet in another country, the ‘divas’ also struggle to search for freedom and acceptance.

Written by Liza Magtoto and directed by Maribel Legarda, this highly physical, visually exciting and wickedly funny play stars Melvin Lee, Vincent De Jesus, Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat, Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial, Nor Domingo, Ron Alfonso, Eric dela Cruz, PETA President Cecilia Garrucho, guest performer Paul Holme, Ricci Chan, Jerald Napoles, Myke Salomon, Angeli Bayani, Miguel Hidalgo Gio Respall and Dominic Miclat-Janssen. The original music and lyrics are by Vince De Jesus.

Tickets are Php600 for regular seats and Php800 for VIP rows. PETA’s evening performances on June 17-19, 8:00 P.M. are sponsored by multi-awarded Filipino singer, actress and TV host Sharon Cuneta.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 7256244, 4100821-22 or 0917-5642433.

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British Council hosts Sotheby's Institute of Art Presentation on Career Pathways

The British Council will host a presentation by Mr. Phil Whitakker at 6pm on Thursday, June 9 at their office, 10th Floor, Taipan Place, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig CIty.

Entitled “Your Pathway to a Career in the International Art World,” the presentation will include an overview of the international art markets and a presentation on potential career opportunities in the global visual arts market. This one hour presentation will be followed by a Q & A session. This presentation will be especially useful for: art history majors, anyone interested or working in the art industry, graduating students, career changers interested in the arts and others interested in the visual art markets.

Mr. Whitakker joined Sotheby’s Institute of Art in February 2007. He was recruited specifically to be the Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art Singapore. He redesigned Sotheby’s programmes for delivery in Asia and set up the initial programme which ran in Sep 2007. His key areas of interest are cultural economics and art valuation.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is the pre-eminent graduate and postgraduate educational institute for students seeking a career in the international art world, and it offers world class art education from the Institute's study centers in London, and New York. The Institute has over 350 students a year exploring both the scholarly and business sides of the art world to gain the skills and professional networks necessary for a successful career.

The institutes' faculty includes scholars and renowned practitioners in the art world and is further enhanced by experts in the field including artists, scholars, auction house specialists, restorers, critics, curators, writers, museum executives and gallery owners. Learning from and working with such scholars and professionals help students to enhance their skills as well as to establish professional relationships.

Sotheby's Institute of Art has more than 6,000 alumni worldwide. Master's degrees are awarded in collaboration with the University of Manchester in the UK.

The British Council promotes studying in the UK, UK qualifications and partnership between local and UK higher education institutions. The presentation is FREE of charge but slots are limited. To reserve a seat or for more details please email educationuk@britishcouncil.org.ph

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