PHL Pavilion at Venice Biennale to be mounted at UP’s Vargas Museum

Part of Jose Tence Ruiz' installation art "Shoal," an interpretation of BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal. Photo: Trisha Macas

Art enthusiasts will soon be able to see and experience the Philippine Pavilion from the Venice Biennale, as announced during the finissage of the prestigious art exhibition.

Senator Loren Legarda, who pushed for the country's return to Venice Biennale after a five-decade absence, said during the ceremony, "This finissage is not seen as a conclusion, but as a way to move forward with our aim—to bring this exhibit back home where everyone can  enjoy and reflect on its meaning."

The end of the run in Venice, Italy marks the start of the Philippine Pavilion's mounting in key local galleries, beginning at the University of the Philippines Jorge Vargas Museum in Diliman, Quezon City.

 

"Blood spills at the Philippine Pavilion at the Biennale Arte 2015, the 56th edition of the renowned international art exposition in Venice, Italy." - AA Patawaran. The Philippine Pavilion at the Venice Biennale runs from May 9 - November 22, 2015.

A photo posted by Philippine Art Venice Biennale (@philartvenice) on

Sep 3, 2015 at 8:39pm PDT

 

The Philippine Pavilion held a finissage last November 22, which was both a closing ceremony for the exhibit and a celebration with the Filipino community in Italy. Tie A String Around The World will be mounted at the UP Vargas Museum in 2016 after the artworks have been shipped back to the Philippines from Venice. We will see you at the Vargas Museum!

A photo posted by Philippine Art Venice Biennale (@philartvenice) on

Nov 22, 2015 at 6:17pm PST

 

Palazzo Mora in Venice, Italy- Jose Tence Ruiz's Shoal has been disassembled and it will be shipped back to Manila. An official announcement was made during the Philippine Pavilion finissage regarding the exhibit being mounted at the University of the Philippines Jorge Vargas Museum in Diliman, Quezon City. We're excited for everyone to see Tie A String Around the World in the Philippines. #venicebiennale #bogieruiz #artph

A photo posted by Philippine Art Venice Biennale (@philartvenice) on

Dec 3, 2015 at 3:19pm PST

Patrick Flores, the curator for the featured exhibit, "Tie A String Around the World,"  said that the artworks "should not be a singular spectacle in Venice. It should mutate beyond the Venice Biennale; otherwise it becomes export art that merely caters to the expectations of the international audience."

"Tie A String Around the World" links the artworks of four Filipino artists: Manuel Conde and Carlos Francisco for "Genghis Khan," Manny Montelibano for "A Dashed State", and Jose Tence Ruiz for "Shoal." Flores explains that the exhibit means to explore the grander themes found in the territorial disputes between China and the Philippines—melancholia, migration, and what makes a common sea.

Flores consciously curated "Tie A String Around the World" to be relevant to the Philippine context and it seems only fitting to bring it back to our shores after being on a global stage. — AT/BM, GMA News.