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It’s tempting to reference the blog Humans of New York when speaking about artist Max Balatbat’s upcoming exhibit, his 9th, ‘Avenida Karnabal’. Much like the blog, Balatbat is also featuring everyday people — of Avenida, Manila, that is.
Balatbat takes a photo of these characters and then renders them as a mix-media art portrait. Twelve portraits comprise ‘Avenida Karnabal’ which opens on Saturday, Jul 11, at the ArtistSpace of Ayala Museum. We speak to the artist ahead of the opening.
When and how did this series of portraits come about?
This series was six years in the making. I started in 2009 while I was preparing for my first solo show, “Avenida.” I met these street characters as I walked Avenida starting from Monumento all the way to Carriedo. The people I encountered were always just there in the back of mind, and I thought that one day, they will reign as the lead stars of my story about his chaotic street.
And what was your intention for the series?
Personally, I really think that there’s nothing new or special with this project — it is something that everyone sees every day in that particular place. But that was what also struck me — they’re all over Avenida but nobody really minds them or gives them any attention. There suddenly was a sense of urgency. One day, they may not walk those streets anymore and that was the starting point for the series; to pay tribute to everyday people whom we all take for granted.
Was shaping the concept a difficult process, or did you have a tried-and-tested methodology?
I didn’t have a deliberate plan, or methodology, anything goes was my motto. I was more focused with the end result since I was also so familiar with the area and I felt comfortable navigating the street. I accustomed to their ways. I would just make small talk with them. When I told them that I would like to interview them because they will be the central characters of my art work, they all laughed. They really didn’t take me seriously, and they really knew me as just another “tambay,” and not as an artist. But most were game with my plans.
You’ve also chosen to go back to a familiar material, why is that so?
About five years ago, I started using fabrics for my mix-media work. And I just felt like slowly returning to that phase, maybe this time in a manner that feels more “right.” I also wanted to go back to telling stories, in this case, tales of everyday people.
There is whimsy about your series but at the same time, you’ve also discreetly depicted the harsh realities of your central characters’ lives.
I want the viewer to see the positive side to their existence. Most people look down on these people, but I felt the need to portray even just a tinge of positivity. And I didn’t want the viewer to feel the usual-that their existence is all about hardship. I want the viewer to feel that these people also are capable of expressing joy or happiness despite dire situations.
Manikurista Avenida
Why did you choose to elaborately frame the portraits?
I framed the portraits because I wanted it to be like a reflection from the viewer’s standpoint, and for them to empathize with the subject’s experience. What if the viewer was in the subject’s place?
Tell us a bit about the lead stars of your story.
Bertong Saklay, is a beggar plying the 5th Avenue area of Avenida. Sometimes he would use the money for food, and maybe sometimes for a few drinks. Boy Suse on Bluementritt makes key duplicates for a living. He might be earning just enough to get by, but he does manage to set aside some for a bit of pleasure, like drinking, and manages a bit of storytelling and lots of laughter.
Boy Suse
Yen the manicurist, cleans, files, colors nails to feed her family. When I see her, she still manages to laugh and smile, and sometimes I would chance upon her engaged in some leisurely chismis with a customer.
But instead of wallowing in self pity, all of them chose to be happy. They even find time to make others laugh, despite the situation. I also have portraits of a young Sampaguita vendor, and a prostitue past her prime, who I crowned as the Queen of this carnival. Whatever they do for a living, I see their positive attitude and I thought they somehow bring cheer to the frenzied circus that is Avenida- the clowns in the carnival of my mind.
Sampaguita vendor
We heard you also wrote a poem about your subjects. Can we reprint a few lines?
“AVENIDA KARNABAL”
Minsan ako nagtanong ng diretsuhan
Sa tanda mong yan bakit di mo pa itigil yan
Buti may bumabanat pa sayo sa ichura mong yan
Sabay sagot ng biglaan
Gago ka pala tignan mo nga madilim dyan
Di man lahat pero lasing na sa kabaret ang karamihan
hahatakin ko lng sila at lalandiin sa sulok ng bahay aliwan
Avenida Karnabal runs from July 11-26 at the ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, Makati.
Photos: Courtesy of Max Balatbat
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