CCP Art Exhibitions celebrate Rizal's Birthday

Young artists converge at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on June 17, 2011 to coincide with the CCP’s celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Jose P. Rizal. Featured to open the art exhibitions at 3pm are Ronald Jeresano's "Manhid," J. Pacena II's "Kulo" and a mural exhibit by the Pilipinas Street Plan. The CCP has chosen to observe the day by honoring deserving young leaders who epitomize the National Hero’s dedication and idealism.  

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Prize-winning artist Ronald Jeresano presents his first solo exhibition “MANHID” at the Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino (Third Floor Hallway).  The exhibit marks an important passage for Jeresano, notwithstanding the recognitions he has received. “Manhid” collects the artist’s detailed figuration in paintings that counter the grounded certainty of the pose with the fleeting ethereality of the bubble; thus shaping the threshold of what constitutes numbness, or else a suspension of feeling or emotion.  One such work pays tribute to Rizal as a figure of fragile hope in a child’s future.

Most notable among Jeresano’s awards was to twice garner the Grand Prize of the Art Petron in 2008 and 2007.  He was also the Grand Prize winner for painting in the 2008 Metrobank Art and Design Competition. “Manhid” is presented in cooperation with Nineveh Art Space.  The exhibit is on view until August 21, 2011.

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At the Bulwagang Juna Luna (Main Gallery), J. Pacena II has curated “KULÔ,” an exhibit gathering artists who were invited to reflect on Jose Rizal’s complexity as educator, ideologue and revolutionary.  The exhibit is also meant as a fringe extension of the celebration of 400 years of the University of Santo Tomas, featuring artists who as Thomasians, relive scenarios of the toss-up between submission and rebellion; indeed, a boiling amalgam of raging heat that also serves to cleanse or make things clear.  The exhibit will go on till August 21, 2011.

J Pacena II is a recent fellow of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth (JENESYS) Programme for Creators. Pacena was chosen through the curatorial development workshop organized by the UP Vargas Museum and Archives and the Japan Foundation in 2009.  Joining him as co-curator is Jocelyn Tullao-Calubayan, a UST Fine Arts professor who has worked with the university’s museum and publishing house.

Painted directly on the wall of the Pasilyo Fernando Amorsolo (Second Floor Hallway) is a mural by the Pilipinas Street Plan (PSP), a group of graffiti artists who have worked their way from the streets, to museums, and to expositions around the world.  Contributing to this ephemeral tribute to Rizal and the youth are artists Boy Agimat, Epjey, Egg, Exld, Whoop, Kookoo, Tawnie, Nemo, Ver, Tripp, Ungga, Wesndestroy and Jood.

The opening exhibitions will be part of the program preceding the CCP’s program JP: Ang Gig ni Rizal to be performed at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) starting at 4:00pm.

For more info, call CCP Visual Arts and Museo at Telephone #s: (632) 832-3702 and 832-1125 locals 1504/1505 from Tuesdays to Fridays 9:00am-6:00pm.  
Museum hours: 10:00am-6:00pm daily