2VIEW Exhibition

http://www.mb.com.ph/encountering-the-face/

Encountering the Face

by Hannah Jo Uy
November 11, 2013

According to the ethics of French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, the face is central to responsibility. We encounter others, through the face. Their lips, their nose, their eyes, these are the words that make up the story of their lives. The face of the Other “orders and ordains” us to serve them. When we encounter the face, we are immediately meant to claim the responsibility of that encounter, the responsibility of the Other. However, our apathy has turned us away from the Other and our responsibility to it, and the result are the faceless statistics of the underprivileged and the overlooked. It is by this very philosophy that artist, Pinggot Zulueta and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario have collaborated to put together a captivating and intriguing show that will bring us face to face with the Other.

Aptly titled, “Makatulog Ka Pa Kaya?” two artists come together to present us with a visual and literary presentation that aims to move our hearts and our minds to a greater awareness of the people who suffer under the urban decay of our time, artfully encouraging us to remove the shackles that limits our view of the world we live in.

Everyday, society goes about its daily routine, and in the midst of the morning rush hour traffic, and the cigarette breaks are men, women and children who are dressed in the grime of the city remain invisible to the very world they inhabit. Through the collection of mixed media works that will showcase Pinggot Zulueta’ aesthetic sensibilities and highlight the handwritten poetry of the literary gem that is Virgilio S. Almario, this exhibit aims to bring about a certain sense of consciousness to the world around, a call to self awareness and reflection.

The show is composed of black and white portraits of the poverty stricken individuals whose homes were demolished in Taguig, Metro Manila in 2008. As a photographer for a major newspaper, Zulueta was moved with this encounter, realizing that a factor in their suffering is the lack of their acknowledgment. Therefore, he brings about this acknowledgment and call to social and personal movement in the only way he knows how: Art.

“The person in the portrait is a real human being whose life can be transformed. In reality, it is our own prejudices and inaction that make the homeless invisible,” explains Zulueta.

To create more of an impact, Zulueta employed his artistic composition and included bright and arresting geometric lines in the photographs that are transferred to the canvas with emulsion transfer process. And on the products are the ever powerful poetry of Almario, thoughts made more sincere as it fills up the white spaces and the crevices of the images with his own handwriting.

Together they bring us stunning words and images to help us awaken to reality. The cause to give the homeless and marginalized a face runs deep within the artists, who, through the show, champion the possibility of art as a tool to effect change; and this change begins with one question, “Makatulog Ka Pa Kaya?”


“Makatulog Ka Pa Kaya?” exhibition is supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and is now ongoing at the Crucible Gallery, 4th Level, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City with cocktail reception on November 13, 2013,6pm, Wednesday. For inquiries, please call Chari Elinzano at (632) 635- 6061.