Beyond the Beauty

We invite those in Basco for an event this June to experience "Vuya Ku Vuya Mu?" (I Saw. Did You?), an annual art exhibit in celebration of 232nd Batanes Foundation Anniversary by 15 local artists. On view at the Yaru Gallery & art shop. Saturday, June 27, 4pm - 7pm.

Ours to Realize. Ours to Really See. Currently Batanes.

Poster Credit: Rhodelyn Come 

Tam-awan International Arts Festival

Many of you know that I am a strong advocate of arts and culture.

Three months ago, I received an unexpected message in my inbox. I was invited by Xavier Abelador, the chief local artist and one of the founders of Yaru Nu Artes Ivatan Gallery and Art Center, to be part of the Ivatan delegation attending this year's Tam-awan International Arts Festival (TIAF).

I haven't attended a legit cultural convention, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that it's a week-long event consisting of art exhibits, performances, artists's talks and cultural shows.

And on that note, thank you Kuya Awe and Yaru, for this wonderful opportunity.

Pinto Art Museum Sitting Pretty in Antipolo

My boyfriend and I have a common aversion for extravagant celebrations or cheesy surprises on a day like Valentine's Day. While we're not fans of candle-lit dinners, flower arrangements or heart-shaped chocolate gifts, we don't wait for once a year occasions to go the extra mile. Mostly because, we made up on the 364 days of the year. 

Speaking of year, four years ago, I remember succumbing to make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. (There goes that phase in life, haha.) So, during that adjustment period as couple, I recall booking a dinner reservation at Bellini's for our first February 14 together. Then, the succeeding February 14s were treated as, uhm, normal as our after-class dates way back college. 

But today, the idea of quality time has changed (matured) quite a bit. (Blame almost two years of far-flung relationship!) Let's recall one recent experience, shall we? 

This Valentines, we went to go see the Pinto Art Museum. I love art. He loves art. I can't think of a better way to channel this love than spending an afternoon in a museum.  

Tucked into the Grand Heights Subdivision in Antipolo, it's an art enclave that's definitely worth a visit. 

A few artistic scenes from Pinto Art. 

Upon registering, we were met with a lot of people due to the occasion's doing. I'm not complaining, though. Like I said in a past post, going to galleries is to build a community of like-minded artists. Ahem.

Anyway, Pinto Art is a great exploration of space, color, shape and nature. 

A beautiful spread of Elmer Borlongan's paintings grace the first three spaces and here are some photos. 

While in the upstairs gallery... 

Get a peek at some of my favourite pieces...

If you know me or if you've been reading this blog, you'll know that indigenous arts is something close to my heart. So you can imagine how happy I was when I discover this quaint museum. It's the right finale for a welcome visit. 

Photos snapped with an iPhone 5. 

Art Fair in February

On the first Friday of February, Beth and I managed to swing by The Link for the Art Fair. Here are some of my favourite pieces. We crammed as much as we can in less than an hour, so I only have a few photos. 

"The purpose of art is to give the traveling human race an improved map that shows the way to itself. If art isn't for *that*, what is it for?" William Saroyan

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - 

things I had no words for." Georgia O'Keeffe

"Love has one purpose, that is to create art." Julianne O'Connor

"The job of art is not to store moments of experience but to explore environments 

that are otherwise invisible. Art is not a retrieval system of precious moments of past cultures. 

Art has a live, ongoing function." Marshall McLuhan

"Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is 

recognition of the pattern." Alfred North Whitehead

"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." Cesar A. Cruz

"I want to overhear passionate arguments about what we are and 

what are we doing and what we ought to do." Marilyn Robinson

"An artist's work is one long conservation with life." Marty Rubin

"Art-making is not about telling the truth but making the truth felt." Christian Boltanski

"Art is why I get up in the morning, but my definition ends there." Ani DiFranco

"I think that is what film and art and music do; they can work as 

a map of sorts for your feelings." Bruce Springsteen

"They always say time changes things, 

but you actually have to change them yourself." Andy Warhol

Photos by Me