Superheroes and goddesses star in 'Komiks in Real 3D'

When I was asked to write about Komiks in Real 3D, my initial thought was, "uh oh." I've never really learned to like comics. I could chalk it up to my poor eyesight and a tendency to get dizzy easily, or maybe I preferred to imagine things for myself without any illustrations. Also because I get dizzy easily, I never quite learned to appreciate watching movies in 3D. Knowing better than to judge an exhibit by its title, I went to Arts in the City in Taguig to see the group show of comics - inspired works by sculptors and mixed-media artists. The exhibit was one of the pre-events leading to the 2nd Philippine International Comics, Cartoons and Animation Festival that runs from October 22 to 25.

Although I arrived at 2 pm, well within the exhibit hours of 8 am - 5 pm, the gallery was closed. It took a bit of time finding the keeper of the keys, but eventually, I was allowed to go inside. By the way the guard stood by the door, however, I felt that I was to be given a specific amount of time to view the exhibit, after which an alarm would go off and I would have to scramble out of the building. Fortunately, there was no such stipulation, and I was left to gaze at the different pieces at leisure. Perhaps the guard was simply there to make sure I didn't touch any of the sculptures, which I must admit I was somewhat tempted to run my fingers over. There were a couple of milky, flowing cast marble pieces by Kylo Chua, with titles equally delicious on the tongue. Had the guard not been watching me, I just might have touched "The Eve of Lyric Melodium" and "Luna Andromeda" - just to feel the curves with my eyes closed, as if blind. Right beside the guard was Pete Jimenez's "Made in Japan," and I imagined the scrap metal creation coming to life to intimidate him. Jimenez's other piece "Walkman ni Batman" was in another corner of the room, docile and innocent-looking despite the sharp ears. His no-nonsense "Mickey Mouse" occupied a large portion of another wall, and on the floor at the opposite end of the room was "Goodbye America," also made from recycled steel. In a glass case like those used for snow globes was "Ang Virina ng Magdalo at Magdiwang," an acrylic on sawdust and wood piece made by Roberto B. Feleo in 2010. At the opposite end of the room was his 1987 piece "Darna's Fortress of Solitude," made with the same medium. Seb Chua's dynamic "Piloy" and "Pilak" were the only pieces accompanied by words. Created by Chua, the character Piloy is a scrap metal scavenger. After Piloy saved children from a fire, the earth's amains bestowed him with a silver amulet. The amulet transforms Piloy into Pilak, a near-invulnerable hero gifted with speed, grace and strength. Ferdie Cacnio's "Pinoy's Superwoman" and "Mutya ng Dagat" of bronze and raw marble might have been overlooked in their corner of the room, but their delicate form and irresistible, subtle sheen were impossible to miss. In the middle of the room is Paul AR Quiano's "Bertong Bayawak" of oil stained marine epoxy, while Junyee's "Ayoko" and "Hanap ay Langit" pieces of wood, paint and ink occupy separate corners, in danger of being tripped over by distracted viewers. On the wall was a mysteriously unlabeled diptych of women with fruit and flowers, and next to Merlito Gepte's "Maria Makiling," an equally mysterious sculpture of a breastfeeding mother, "Mother's Love" by Seb Chua. A little online research revealed that the piece really has nothing to do with comics superheroes, but was a special request to go with UNICEF'S breastfeeding theme for women artists, whose exhibit "Kakaiba ka, Kababaihan" is being shown simultaneously in the same gallery. The back-to-back exhibit has its advantages: visitors get to see two shows at the same time. But it also has its disadvantages: visitors have to see two shows at the same time. While the gallery is neither tiny nor vast, it doesn't seem like such a great idea to mix two shows, especially when both display pieces need a certain amount of focus from the viewer. The sculptures seemed a bit cramped in their spaces, and it was difficult to view the pieces from every angle. On the other hand, the colorful cartoons of "Kakaiba ka, Kababaihan" became a confusing backdrop to the "Komiks in Real 3D" exhibit, instead of being the focus of their own exhibit. Once you get past the clutter and confusion though, you can appreciate the clever and sometimes irreverent humor of Pinay cartoonists and illustrators Beth Chionglo, Steph Bravo, Hazel Manzano, Sherry Baet, Mimi Romualdez, Aileen Casis, Armida Francisco and Raquel Molata. - GMANews.TV "Komiks in Real 3D" and "Kakaiba ka, Kababaihan" run from October 14 to October 29, 2010 at Arts in the City, Taguig. The 2nd Philippine International Comics, Cartoons and Animation Festival schedule of events can be seen here: http://piccafest.com/xpicca2010.html