Freedom seen through a metal framework

“What is freedom to you?”

This is what artist Leeroy New, a rising star in the art world, wants the audience viewing his 30-foot art installation to contemplate and answer.

“We wanted to make it about others’ idea of freedom and heroism,” he also said in a press briefing.

New's installation, launched on Independence Day, stands near the monument of Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila.

The structure's design mirrors the heroic monument, even if its elements do not promise the same permanence—a basic scaffolding made of metal poles, draped in colored plastic behind which television sets displayed different people answering the question, “Paano ka naging Malaya?”

“We had to make use of materials that we were able to source, what is available to us,” Leeroy said.

A performance by the Sipat Lawin dance group was also showcased as part of the installation—for Leeroy, important to better convey the message to the audience.

“We wanted to create a structure that allowed the audience and participants to contemplate this idea of freedom, with the help of the performers, the video, the structure itself—which is a direct reference to the Rizal monument—and the location itself,” he said.


“Our version of the monument is actually inhabitable; people can pass through it and experience it as a temple, wherein we contemplate ideas being presented by each person projected on the screens—their own versions of freedom,” he explained.

The installation, which only took Leeroy and his team a day to complete, will only be showcased at the Rizal Park until Friday.

Site factor

Leeroy, who was commissioned by satellite-television provider Cignal Digital TV to create the installation as part of the company's celebration for passing the 500,000-subscriber mark, said he was given artistic freedom in terms of the concept of the installation.

He said the company was able to convince Rizal Park officials to let them build the installation in the area.

“The site is very crucial to an installation work. The fact that it is site specific, you have to take in consideration the contest of the site,” said Leeroy.

“We consider this place as a historical site, in reference to Rizal and the monument, never neutral,” he said.

A new art concept

Leeroy said he was pleased that the Rizal Park authorities allowed the team to build the structure.

“It’s hard to get locations that allow installations. For artists, there are only galleries, which only a few people go to since we are not really a culture of gallery-goers,” he said.

“I think it is important for more public art projects like this. No site is neutral; there is always concept involved, that is why artists do installation work because they would like to utilize the concept of the site for their works,” he added.

“There are very recent art elements that artists have come to use. Before, they just used like paint and canvas—but now the site, the day of the show are all part of the show.” — BM, GMA News