(by Nilo Ilarde.)

Roberto Chabet is one of my favorite Filipino artists. I grew up around his work, with his name ringing and clanging along so very clearly in my head. Sometimes, I forget that not everyone was brought up in the same environment as I was, so I forget that not everyone is really acquainted with artists that came after the Amorsolos of the Philippines.

2011 marks the fiftieth year of Chabet’s career as an artist, so many galleries decided to mount shows in his honor. It’s a little more than halfway through the year, and so far, I’ve seen so many wonderful exhibits that celebrate Chabet’s contribution and talent, but one of my favorites is the latest one held by Manila Contemporary. It’s a group show entitled I Miss the 20th Century.

While a lot of the pieces are strong in themselves, I think that the strength of this group show also lies on the brilliance of its curation. A lot of people throw that word around these days, but I think that, to call yourself a curator, you must know and understand how works of art communicate with the space they inhabit. It doesn’t merely concern the selection of pieces, which I think is how it is being used right now.

Chabet has been (informally?) introduced as the father of conceptual art in the Philippines. I think it’s because he really tests ideas and pushes boundaries with his work. I think that the body of work presented in this show is truly strong in this respect. It is such an odd but delightful mix of ideas and experiments by people who had been inspired by the man.

This piece by Felix Bacolor, for example, is currently an unassuming black pool. The intention of the piece is to create an environment for mold to randomly grow, recreating constellations.

Yolanda Perez-Johnson’s “Pick and Throw Up” is an interactive piece, where one is invited to pick up sticks—possibly a throw-back to the children’s game—and throw it up into the netting, turning it into an almost collaborative effort between the artist and the viewer. Gerardo Tan’s “Self-Portrait” is a projected loop of his angiogram.

Lara de los Reyes’ piece is one of the most interactive ones, where everyone is invited to “set free” the balloon heads that resemble Mr. Chabet. The balloon bodies are filled with air, while the heads are filled with helium, and cutting the string causes the heads to flow up towards the ceiling.

Juan Alcazaren’s “The Guillotine Perspective” is one of my favorite pieces. It is so beautiful, and intriguing. I just love how you can look at it and keep on finding new things to be fascinated by.

(Roberto Chabet, left)

(Yolanda Perez-Johnson, above. Bernardo Pacquing, detail.)

(Soler.)

I’m so excited to see the last remaining shows. I wish I could have gone to all of them, but I’m really glad I went to this one. Try to catch it if you can. I think you’ll know what I mean about space and objects (and their relationship with one another) when you immerse yourself in the space.

I Miss the 20th Century will run from August 20-September 11, 2011.

Manila Contemporary
Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm
Closed on Mondays and public holidays

Whitespace 2314, Chino Roces Avenue
Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City, Philippines
+63 2 8447328