My Favorite: Arts Month

A review on Antoinette Jadaone's Alone/Together & a diary on Art Fair Philippines.

Alone/Together: The beginning of art education through film.

Alone/Together starring Enrique Gil & Liza Soberano, directed by Antoinette Jadaone. Photo courtesy of Black Sheep

While most film storylines establish the artist's skill and talent, Antoinette Jadaone shifts the focus to the academia side of art through the character of Christine.

Christine, an idealist Art Studies major, dreamt of making it to New York City through a scholarship program after graduation. Her plan was to accomplish further studies in the Arts, learn what she could from the University, and fly back to the Philippines to impart her knowledge. While applying for a scholarship, Christine decided to spend her time acquiring work experience. As the story progressed, conflict arises when Christine's scholarship application was rejected; at the same time she encountered a problem at her workplace where her current job and reputation was at stake. Because of this, Christine gave up on her dream and passion for the Arts and pursued something more realistic.

Particularly notable about Jadaone's storyline was introducing real world opportunities in the art scene to the audience. One need not be a skilled artist (painter, sculptor, sketch artist, or graphic designer) to have a career in the arts.

There were 3 scenes from the film which raise this point:

1. Christine working as a docent in the National Museum of Fine Arts. (remember when she was explaining the meaning of Juan Luna's Spoliarium painting to a group of students?)

2. Christine acquiring a brochure from the MET museum for possible starting jobs (e.g. mention of an archivist or administrative officer of the museum. Backtrack to when Christine was finally able to visit New York and go to the MET with Raf.)

3. Christine job searching and showing up in interviews in Philippine galleries and museums (e.g. Vargas. The part when she quit her assistant/PR/girlfriend (haha!) job and followed her passion.)

The art education continues when Christine mentions of a biennale and attends an art exhibition ( That scene towards the end of the film where she was at the National Museum of Fine Arts to support the girl (who was actually a thriving artist) she met in New York). Art events as mentioned further extracts career options and outlines sales and marketing activities in the Arts.

Conversations between Christine and Raf in the film where a dream of visiting international museums: Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum to witness works of artists Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, and Rodin in person serves as a component of that art education. Jadaone subtly broadens, imprints; and perhaps, influences the audience with such artistic and architectural wonders by incorporating it as an interest of the lead female character.

Art Fair Philippines: The next NYC underground art scene.

Arriving at the "The Link", I was directed by sky blue colored pillars and a similarly colored elevator, its façade mapping out four floors of categorized contemporary art and pop up stalls (food, beverage, and merchandise), towards the Art Fair. As it was inconspicuously situated within the building grounds, I only began to realize that the venue of Art Fair Philippines was a converted parking lot space with air-conditioning. Such a set up immediately reminded me of New York's underground art scene: alternative art spaces featuring emerging artists and their work(!)

Here are photos of some of the modern and contemporary works created by local and foreign artists showcased in Art Fair Philippines:

A deep sea anglerfish sculpture- installation by a Japanese artist.

Sanso.

Kim Oliveros.

Jerson Samson. "Tikim Sa Langit" (left) & "Multo ng Nakaraan II" (right)

In addition to this set up, a roof deck café was utilized as a communal space to drink, dine, and socialize and for a book launch (with post event cocktails) which I was invited to and that I attended. (I mean, how New York could this get!)

Toti Cerda written by: Laya Boquiren

Message from the author, Laya Boquiren.

My professor and mentor, Ms. Laya Boquiren, wrote an artistic biography celebrating the journey and achievements of Toti Cerda ("the grandmaster aquarelle") in Philippine Art.

It was definitely an "art first" for me to attend a book launch, have wine with and look at art with my mentor. :D

#art #philippines #film