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Everything will not be alright at Hate Mail


Often found on a postcard is the message "Wish you were here" - a somewhat sweet thought. It would perhaps be sweeter for the sender to have brought the recipient along, but because it's the thought that counts, the recipient welcomes the postcard, maybe even pressing a kiss to the paper before settling down to write a response. But what if the message came on a tombstone?

Christina Quisimbing Ramilo's "Wish U Wer Here" is fit for the sort of hate that lasts forever.
Christina Quisimbing Ramilo's "Wish U Wer Here" is the sort of piece you will find at Hate Mail, the second in a trilogy of shows that looks at visual linguistics in relation to communicating fundamental human emotions. The show's focus on hate and how it is communicated may be considered in the context of contemporary society, where neither hate nor communication is easily found. "In religion to hate is a sin, in secular society to openly hate is taboo and unattractive," reads the exhibit notes. Just ask Yoda - hate leads to suffering. But, as you may have heard before, hate is not the opposite of love. (They say it's indifference... ) While hate is not celebrated the way love is, at least not openly, it is an emotion we've all experienced. "Hate mail is the reverse of a love letter but has a similar effect. It is an expression of intense emotion sent to destabilize and disrupt the reader. It can take the form of a childish smear campaign scrawled on bathroom walls or virtual words through emails, social networks and blogs," reads the exhibit notes. "Hate Mail" attempts to communicate the ferocities and quiet resentments through passionate and dispassionate work, and aims to create an uncomfortable reflection of humanity for pause and meditation on our contemporary condition. People expect art to move them, but more often than not the effect is positive. Hate Mail, as its title will tell you, is not the place to go for cheer.
Costantino Zicarelli assures you that "Everything is Not Going to be Alright."
Right by the entrance is a far from warm welcome, with Ramilo's piece making you wonder if anyone who's passed away is trying to tell you something. A few feet away, Kaloy Sanchez weighs you down with his work, "Flightless." You will feel heavy, and a bit sick, and then you will turn to see a picket fence in shards. You look into the broken pieces and see your face reflected on them. Don't worry, it's just Costantino Zicarelli telling you that "Everything is Not Going to be Alright." Heed the warning, because it gets worse. The next thing you will see is MM Yu's "Itch." A cat with its guts spilled on the pavement, small animals stuck on a piece of flypaper, a dog covered with pink, raw patches of furless skin, another cat who looks like it would rather be dead like the bird next to it. Take a deep breath. Move to the next piece in the exhibit. See Romeo Lee's "Mr. Lonelee" and feel lonely, yourself. Grab someone's hand and make your way to the other pieces in the exhibit. Rest assured that they will make you feel rejected, hurt, terrified, sick, nauseated, depressed, and angry. If you're lucky, the emotions will not wash over you all at the same time. Despite the exhibit's negative theme, there is something beautiful in all the hate surrounding you.
Ronald Caringal explores the love-hate relationship with "E of Contempt."
Ronald Caringal's "E of Contempt" is a poignant piece - an empty table for two, at first glance the center is faded, the way furniture gets after years of use. Come closer, and you will see that the table is covered with writing, two swirling streams of consciousness stemming from two thoughts - I love you, I hate you. Read the entire dizzying push-and-pull dialogue, then imagine yourself sitting in one of the chairs. Who is on the other chair? It's a question you probably won't want to think about, much less answer. But "Hate Mail" has no mercy, and the next piece is all about making you feel worthless. Nikki Luna's "Commemorative 1-25" is a series of insults, threats, and disappointments, all etched in gold. From "Loser! You'll never amount to anything good in the world" to "Don't hope for a relationship i don't love you," Luna's work is either a painful summary of everything that hurts or an excellent selection of ammunition to use against those you love to hate. At the center of the gallery is Christine Quisumbing Ramilo's "Mal Viaje," a wall covered with jeepney signboards that appear bound for hell. Robert Langenegger's "Dogspeed" is sharp and solid, and will make you feel bad like any good hate mail should.
Jucar Raquepo's "Orgy" screams colors and hate.
Jucar Raquepo's "Orgy" is a colorful take on the theme, with statements like "Contemporary Fart" and "My real self-expression is karaoke singing." One corner of the exhibit is deceptively cheerful, but the sunny objects come with piercing titles like Catalina Africa's "I Hate Hatemail" and Maria Jeona's "The Bizarre Writer with an iPad 2 Processing the Words."
Your nightmares come alive in Jose Legaspi's "Untitled."
On the other hand, Jose Legaspi's "Untitled" is a dark collection of stories told in three pieces, each consisting of drawings of sin, death, loneliness, and other demons that keep us up at night. Again, “Hate Mail" is not the sort of thing recommended for those looking to have fun. If you want something sunny, watch a nice romantic comedy, or send your sweetheart a note in 160 characters or less. But if you’re ready to feel everything everyone ever told you to avoid, then head right over to the main gallery of Manila Contemporary. - YA, GMA News The first exhibition in the series is Love Letters (12 February – 27 March). Hate Mail runs from July 2 to August 14. It will be followed by Confessions of A Sinner (17 September – 09 October). All photos courtesy of Manila Contemporary. Manila Contemporary is at Whitespace 2314, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. For more information, visit www.manilacontemporary.com
Tags: artexhibit
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