The reckoning. A review.

The premise of the exhibit is fondly called “Balat ng Mani”, which was coined in the formative years in The College Of Fine Arts during 1991 to 1994. It may seem trite the term using the peanut shell as analogy for the works produced by this group of students, considering that many embraced methodologies from post-modern, modernism, formalism and other isms acquired during this period as students.

To note a significant fact about this particular group of individuals, during this period the UP CFA just transferred to the new building, which to the writer’s opinion produced a psyche of being wholly independent from its former residence and finally a home to express who and what they are.

To expand on the “Balat ng mani”, it simply means a shell to clothe the artwork made, balat means skin that is the malleable layer of the thought and intent, to the final form presented by artist. If clichés are observed and interjected into the definition, it is normal for art to take such forms which is subject the plurality of “ART”.

Gilda Jimenez can be called a classic example of formalism, using lines and shapes that delineate forms within the image. The human form sitting is static but pulsing lines of color make the surface vibrate with motion.

Eric Guazon’s imaginary is composed of socio-political comment using embossed and raised forms to enhance the surface of the artwork. His artwork is colored by his perceptions and observations as an artist more concerned with expression of reality rather than a fancy.

Carousel Chua Mariano produced an image of A FLIGHT OF FANCY. There are elements like a spider, eyes, Chinese characters, patterns, and a woman in fetal position. The color is almost neutral that makes the elements go forward, making the elements noticeable and lets the viewer see many implications as they perceive the elements in the artwork.

Fernando Escora’s artwork is an example of both abstract and formalism. The premise of the artwork maybe that the viewer can see elements that vary depending on what the perceiver can see.

Bernando Balagtas  has a composition of bright reds and linear forms right underneath it. The artist tries purvey how he sees the effects of natural disasters as a inspirational source, that results in an abstraction that is clearly formalistic, it clings to the balance of elements amplify the overall effect on the viewer. Red simply means danger and mortal peril; this associative bent may be the strength of the artwork.

Candice Arellano’s artwork is composed of video art, using multiple images of herself as the topic. The Video artwork is a hybrid resulting from the marriage of art, another implication is impact of the technological revolution on how artists like her have found another means of expression, other than traditional arts like painting and sculpture.

Carlo Ahillion’s imaginary is that of a bike, using metal and other found bike parts and steel bars. The artwork borders on formalist sculpture and modernism, the elements are the color blue and some movable parts. Perhaps, the artist’s intent is to have it touch and manipulated because of a single rotating gear.

Pamela Yan’s artwork is a marriage of installation, video, and traditional art. The elements of video and a battery indicators is the allegory of narrative that needs to slowly sorted as you view the artwork, afterwards the viewer will come up with his own assumptions that may be akin or perhaps relative the artist.

Reg Yuson, the resident sculptor made a wall bond, essentially it is 3-D sculptural form that begs to be interacted with, because of the elements which depict extends painting qualities into non- two dimensional form.

Jay Virina, his work is an example strict formalism that uses muted colors from a photograph. He uses perspective to create a narrative of progression of color receding from the viewer. The work borders on formalist and post-modern tendencies as exhibited by his use of color and act of implied narrative.

Paul Infante, his artwork is that of tribal inspired motifs, and the colors are muted to make one aware of the muscled torso. Upon first glance you may be reminded of tribal people and how they look physically.

Ninel Constantino, her art is that of a girl sleeping on a bench. This can be a student resting after doing her plates. The composition and use of colors denote a use of formalism in it's strictest sense, the image of the girl can denote a narrative that is an important part of any composition.

We’ve gone through many aspects and isms of this particular group, each individual represents a particular aspect an influence that is definitive of who and what their visionary tendencies are. Art is a plethora of expressive “bombasticism” that is not defined by the “Balat ng Mani”, but it is the inner workings of the artists’ mind that formulates the images produced. There is no wrong or right way to package art, art is pluralism of thought and concepts that is not limited by the skin.

These artists are part of historicity when the shifting tides of formalisms, modernism, post-modernism, and other isms are in the constant tide artistic progression. Perhaps in their own time these works will speak for themselves, as seen through the eyes of others. Historicity is dynamic and it is evident in the many influences seen in the artistic imaginary presented by these individuals. Now, and years to come perhaps the members of batch 91’ will have their significance as expressed by this exhibition.