IN THE age where creativity, hindsight and foresight is power—and let me clarify that the “knowledge is power” idea must be refined further because behind new knowledge lies the brewing of imagination and the ferment of wisdom—we should be more appreciative of those who do not toe the line with “established philosophes”.
I am referring to what some Boholanos and Manileños assert in the coming group art exhibit at Qube Gallery (Cebu) which will open on June 30, 2017. Being the writer of this show’s notes, let me share my own critique:
We can either be drawn to the vexation of the average: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them (Henry David Thoreau)”, or be a nonconformist. All art is based upon being iconoclastic and every great achievement in history has been brought either by blood or the reputation of the maverick. Without nonconformity, do not expect the emergence of a nation, a philosophy, a science, a Magna Carta and you find fewer religions.
The group show, “(Un)boxed”, underscores that to limn something in any field—especially one of prodigious quality—requires being a bohemian. That is why the artist is in constant friction with the present way of things or may simply wish to add his or her views to the existing system.
With this in mind, an artist usually has both a degree of detachment and involvement with his or her milieu. Detached because only the separated can perceive the qualities and properties of things. The artist sees how colors augment colors or how shapes stay with shapes—modifying, relating and mingling mutually. He or she sees the tensions between the contemptible and the much-loved, between the grotesque and the sad, tensions of such special character as to be almost imperceptible. In how these are juxtaposed lies the essence of life in any era. Whoever captures life should be isolated from the “box”.
But you will be surprised that the artist’s isolation should co-exist with his or her involvement. This is also a sine qua non of expression because he or she must never fail to experience humanity’s gratification, despair and fear for in them lies the source of feeling upon which the artwork is registered. The feeling must create its own speeches, unique from someone else’s.
Detached and involved at the same time, artists become critics of society and partisans in its burning causes: there seems to be no exact place where nonconformity can be fitted in.
Consider, however, that being oddballs or “rebels”, as people would label (artists), is the basic pre-condition of art and good thinking; and therefore, of growth and eminence. The degree of nonconformity in a society must be looked upon as a sign of health.
Strike out the critic, kill the maverick, but without them, any society of whatever level of advancement or perfection must decay.
In this group exhibit, the works of upcoming artists demonstrate their critiques to existing systems and structures. We reckon the eyes of seers.
(For comments, email lucelllarawan@gmail.com.)
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