SEE SAW, Various Visions of Balance

20 Somethings Seek ‘A Balanced Life’ Through Art

“Work-life balance” is the catchphrase of the 21st century workforce. They are ambitious and driven and ready to face their demanding careers, but many now recognize the importance of a holistic lifestyle. 

A diverse group of young professionals is staging an exhibit entitled "See, Saw: Various Visions of Balance" showcasing different works of art that aim to portray their own unique but very relatable struggles in their journey to lead happier and more fulfilled lives

"See, Saw" will feature paintings, photographs, installations, and digital and mixed media works by 11 different artists and individuals who are woven together by the common thread of passion in pursuing art, regardless of their day jobs and chosen fields. It will include contributions by Agnes Abesamis, Cess Abrahan, Trixie Banting, Christopher Esguerra, Kristel Ko, Gigi Lapid, Kristina Mendoza, Mikhail Quijano, Camille Quintos, Christine Salazar, and Margarita Tabag.

This undertaking is particularly relevant because of the modern Pinoy’s increasing inclination to engage in other life-enriching activities centered on general well-being. The exhibit’s focal point – life balance or sometimes the lack thereof – will prove to be an eye opener for anyone who has been challenged to achieve their own version of success, without compromising other valuable pursuits. 

The exhibit will be held at the Vinyl on Vinyl gallery at The Collective in 7274 Malugay Street, Makati City. The exhibit opens on May 5, 2012, Saturday, at 7pm and will run until May 24.  Visit the events page of  “See, Saw: Various Visions of Balance” on Facebook for more information about the event. 

PRETA INUX: Rommel Pastrana Celespara's one man show

“PRETA INUX – my fictitious jargon  of ETERNAL SUFFERING.”

featuring works of Rommel Pastrana Celespara

Influenced not just by painters but writers like Dante Allegeri and his interpretations of hell through the monumental epic "Divine Comedy," Irish novelist Bram Stoker and his undying tale about "Dracula," and English novelist Mary Shelley's renowned gothic novel "Frankenstein." Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary and her prolific serial killing throughout history have some contribution in his passion for art. Using surrealism and pop art as a medium, Rommel Pastrana Celespara's work is full of disturbing and highly depicting visual negativity. His artworks were a bit similar as those gothic/baroque Western-style paintings from the Dark Age period, horror movie posters, comics and Pop advertisement from the 50’s up to the early 90’s.

He was fascinated by the Church’s grotesque old paintings and religious relics, and finds it as a symbol of monstrosity and conspiracy in that certain era. At a young age, Rommel was raised as a Roman Catholic run by Dominican congregation but later turned skeptical when he became an acolyte and was exposed to the lies nd hoax created by the church, thus addressing those issues in his body of work. He is currently employed as an art director/marketing manager that fuels  his passion for art and allows him to explore other possibilities beyond his forte.

Catch Preta Inux, at Vinyl on Vinyl at The Collective, 7274 Malugay St. Makati.  

RECENTLY CONCLUDED:  ACID ASYLUM

When a nightmare catches you in its claws, you're thrown into a world where the bizarre feels chillingly real, where possibilities are ripped out from the very depths of your mind. Nightmares are the host of many things that shouldn't exist, you try to rationalize in your head, yet you remain entranced, haunted, and defenseless. Nightmares teach you that there's always something sinister beneath the floorboards, something monstrous lying in wait behind the closet, something vile confined within your soul.

It's not always a dark and stormy night.

The bright colors concocted by Mother Nature inspire both beauty and danger. Gaudy colors imprinted on territorial predators warn us of the lethal venom they possess. The blinding lights of the city bring to mind modern fears and thrills. Nightmares are not all visions of the macabre shrouded by gloom and doom. As mankind evolves and devolves, the room of the night terrors dutifully refurnishes itself for its unwitting guests. Here to take you on a tour around this sinister yet enchanting chamber are the young artists of SPIDERSILK PRODUCTIONS.

Dione D'Souza is a designer-in- training, caffeine junkie, Imp breeder and chaos-enthusiast born and raised in Manila. Thriving on a steady diet of Books, B-movies, Goth rock and South Indian prawn curry, she has recently developed an affinity towards watercolour, gouache, sculpting and pop surrealism.

Maku Felix is a freelance artist who loves doodling, painting, chugging down coffee, and playing console games more than socializing. Yet she captures everyone's attention when she takes the stage, with her powerful voice and her arresting stage presence. In truth she is much saner than everyone gives her credit for.

Isobel Francisco just recently got into the swing of illustrating for an audience and looking relatively presentable at art galleries. When she's not working as Copywriter and Creative Specialist for GMA Marketing & Productions, Inc., she spends her time painting, wearing torn clothes and dog collars, and drowning in music. 

Alex Lara is a photo editor by day and neurotic weirdo-artist by night, whilst obsessing over Milton, World War II, and paintings by great Renaissance artists. She is the most idiosyncratic among the Lady Arachnids, of which all blame should be put towards the little mice that take over her brain in the worst of situations and leave their host to derisions of the artistic kind.

Come in, and leave all pleasant dreams at the door. 

Tentaculum Deluge by Alex Lara

 Mute by Dione D' Souza

Grow Up by Isobel Francisco

Breathe by Maku Felix

Acid Asylum also features guest artists Marius Black and Gabriel Tiongson.   


To view the rest of the ACID ASYLUM artworks, click HERE .   Opening night photos can be viewed at the Spidersilk Productions page.   

Dead Leaves and Dirty Grounds

John Marin and Erick Villarruz muse on life’s impermanence in their two-man show, “Dead Leaves and Dirty Grounds,” a capsule of stories in 12 canvases.

Marin’s painted faces are arresting in their realism, with eyes that draw one in and a monochromatic visual narrative that makes one linger. Created in the likeness of others but self-portraits to the artist, Marin’s canvases capture his experience and perceptions about the stories of others. As storyteller, he uses single frames to define the utmost beauty of youth (Late Bloomer), portray the cyclic nature of intimacy (The Fire of Prince Vincent), and shape the density of grief (The Crusader).

Late Bloomer by John Marin

The Crusader by John Marin

The Fire of Prince Vincent by John Marin

Moving from social realism to the melancholia of personal history, Marin continues to challenge the ideal with interpretations of human vulnerabilities. In his pieces, time flows and ebbs, while we stand on the ever-shifting shore.

Eric Villarruz, on the other hand, dives into an ocean of introspection with vivid, phantasmic canvases.

Layering images and styles from hyperrealism to cartoons and graffiti, Villarruz’s subjects are not defined by physical space, but by the reality of psychological and experiential existence. In deconstructing experiences both personal and representational, complex narratives intertwine in his pulsating landscapes, resembling a dense forest or a deep, open wound. In his piece, How is your heart? the artist uses a wealth of symbolism to illustrate the duality of character, emotion, and ultimately, human motive. Transience, to Villarruz, is a stark reminder of our susceptibility to change.

How is Your Heart? by Eric Villaruz

The artists are undergraduates at the Technological University of the Philippines and have been painting professionally since 2009. Marin is a 2011 Shell National Art Competition award recipient, while Villarruz received recognition at the 2011 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Competition. “Dead Leaves and Dirty Grounds” is on exhibit until March 24 at Vinyl on Vinyl at The Collective, 7274 Malugay St Makati.