For two of its exhibitions in its August slate, Art Anton Gallery allowed two artists space to meditate on our place in the universe. The artists sought to show their perspective on the world, and the art encourages its viewers to try and see it in a new way as well, beyond our own preconceptions.
Faye Manalo’s What I Am Not reconfigures found objects with colorful beads to create “abstract forms that resemble portals,” according to the exhibit write-up. She uses objects we see in our everyday lives—chairs, books, even eggshells—to show the possibilities that exist in every object in the world.
Meanwhile, Karl Lago’s Under The Shade Trees depict the “enchanting interplay of light and shadow” as they appear from the leaves of a tree. His work tries to relax the viewers, attempting to illustrate the sway of the trees and the sound of the breeze through a combination of colors and positioning within the works.
Manalo said that the works shown in Art Anton are her attempt to give viewers her perspective of the world. What we see as ordinary objects, she said, she finds bigger artistic possibilities within.
“It’s just showing that I see the same things but I see it differently,” she said. “So there’s like a different universe that exists aside from the one that we’re in. And that’s the power of imagination, of being an artist. I think that’s one of the things I’m most grateful for, being able to see things past what they really are.
She uses found objects in much of the exhibit to show this unique way of perceiving things. Many of them use a combination of dark hues and gold to create swirling portal-like worlds in front of us. Her intent was to create a magical aura in each object to represent their possibilities.
“Is This Seat Taken?”, her collaboration with furniture designer Vanessa Gaston, is the most interesting work in the exhibit. The piece shows a chair with a hole in the middle showing the portal. It forces viewers to question the purpose of objects beyond their perceived utility.
“If you take away its value to humans or what it’s made for, does it become more of an art object more than an actual object?” she said.
Expanding on this idea further, she continued: “I think it’s to show that things don’t have to be just one thing. Like how people can be more than one thing. So a chair, which is used for sitting down, can be more than a chair. So there are layers to it.”
Lago’s pieces use crownshaft cuttings from a palm tree to create the three-dimensional look of his exhibit. A furniture designer by trade, he explored the material during the pandemic and found that he could make art from them.
The multimedia works in this Art Anton exhibit show a collection of leaf-like objects jutting out from canvases with plain color backgrounds. Karl Lago uses different colors to show the interplay between the light and the leaves. At times, it looks like camouflage when combined with the background.
His inspiration for the theme came from the desire to create art from things that aren’t really noticed. He noticed a calamansi tree near his studio, and expanded on the concept to depict different trees from his life, including a mango tree that he grew up with.
“It feels like I am viewing the shade tree from up, and also, why not notice the shadows and all the colors that are under the shade tree. And then after that, why not relate my personal experiences of being just under the shade tree?” he said.
These two exhibits at Art Anton give viewers a perspective beyond their own. More than that, it gives them an opportunity to question whether the way we see the world is enough for us today. Art broadens our perspective of the world, and reminds us that there is more to our lives than what we see today.
“I think I just also want to encourage people to look at things more critically,” Faye Manalo said. “Like, not just see things, but really look at things, because I think there’s so much more if you keep digging. Us humans, we have the power to give things value and meaning, so everybody can do what I’m doing, just in a different sense.”
The exhibits are open to the public until August 21.
Related reading: Faye Pamintuan Revisits Home and Identity in “What I Owe to Each Line”
Contemporary design refers to the constantly evolving design trends of today. With the power to design our built environments, architects have been experimenting with various architectural approaches. Whether that is through unconventional forms or the integration of smart technologies, BluPrint lists down Filipino architects who are defining contemporary architecture. Deo Alam Architect Deo Alrashid Alam […]
In the Philippines, adaptive reuse gained traction during the 1970s with the rise of conservation and environmental preservation movements. It offered an architectural solution that reuses existing spaces to fit modern needs. Across the country, several projects demonstrate how this approach is being applied—transforming heritage structures into active spaces for culture, hospitality, and community life. […]
From residential spaces to civic structures, lighting dictates the mood of a space. It controls the visual dynamics of an interior, serving as a guiding tool that highlights key design elements, including materials and textures. Related Reading: Lampscaping: How to Light up Your Home like a Pro Regulating the Mood: Natural and Artificial Light in […]
More and more Filipinos are flocking to condominium communities. Often tucked within busy city centers, condo living acts as a small respite from urban chaos. Faced with the challenge of transforming a cramped condominium into a warm living space, BluPrint lists condo interior design ideas that can maximize each square foot of small spaces. Purposeful […]
Modern bathrooms are no longer purely functional spaces. Increasingly, they are being designed as environments that support cleanliness, ease, and quiet restoration within the home. As daily life becomes more demanding and health awareness continues to rise, homeowners are beginning to expect more from the spaces where daily rituals begin and end. For architects and […]
From the moment a diner steps through the door, each detail shapes how a meal is experienced. Restaurant design has evolved, with architects and culinary professionals collaborating to create built spaces that are as intentional as the menu itself. The spatial atmosphere acts as an additional ingredient that can define the culinary experience. Taupe and […]
