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Opening at CCP’s Bulwagang Fernando Amorsolo today is In Transit, a group exhibition that aims to showcase how different mediums can affect each other. It features various artists and musicians including Up Dharma Down’s Armi Millare, Ryan Villamael, Outerhope, Caliph8, Geloy Concepcion, Geric Cruz, Catalina Africa, Coke Bolipata, and ‘returning ‘90s rockstar Melody Del Mundo of Sugar Hiccup.
The premise is interesting: In Transit tries to look into the creative process of artists. “Kung ang musika at nakikita, ano kaya hitsura niya?” Jazel Kristin, one of the two curators, as well as a participating artist, shares with Coconuts Manila. “Kung nakikinig ng music ang isang artist habang lumilikha, nakaka-apekto ba ito sa kanyang obra?”
She and co-curator Rica Estrada set about a game of pass the message among the participating musicians and artists. The starting pointing point was Jazel’s video, which she calls In-Trance-It, BTW, of her Tokyo trip last year.
First, they showed the video to the musicians, who then made music based on it. Then that piece of music was passed on to the musician’s visual artist partner for him or her to make something out, about or based on it. “Like a pass-the-message game,” Jazel says. Each of the artist got a month to work on their pieces.
The selection of participating artist and musician was based on variety. “We wanted diverse styles using different mediums.” So there are those from the ‘90s alternative scene (Melody Del Mundo of Sugar Hiccup who is making a comeback in August, BTW), a hiphop guy (Caliph8), someone representing the present indie scene (Outerhope), someone a classical background (Plet Bolipata), a movie composer (Erwin Fajardo).
The same with the visual artists: Eugenia Alcaide works with thread, Robert Alejandro for his watercolor illustrations, Geric Cruz for his photography, Geloy Concepcion for his photographry and street art, Kabunyan de Guia for his mosaic, Mia Cassal for her pottery, among others.
Deciding which musician paired with which artist was a little bit more nebulous, but once it was finalized, they were introduced via email. Of course the curators encouraged them to communicate, but there were artists who wanted to not know the musician they’re working with. “There were pairs who chose to limit or totally avoid contact with their partner,” shares Rica. There were musicians who had to literally record while in transit, and so on and so forth. So the final product should be pretty interesting.
A huge projection of the original video will welcome the viewer inside the gallery, and on both sides are works of the musician-artist pairs. And because half of the works on exhibit are audio in nature, earphones become necessary. “So people can take their time and listen to each track and ponder on the artwork. It’s interesting kasi makikita mo kung paano nag-react at nag-i-interact ang bawat obra” says Jazel.
Until Sep 30. 4/F Bulwagang Fernando Amorsolo, CCP Main Building, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay.
