Launch of Our "Salit Sining I" Art Exhibit

Mar. 20, 2010: One of the coolest days ever. Not really because my works were included in this group exhibit, but because the night was just rollickin' fun.

"Salit Sining I" was the first of what would turn out to be a series of three group art exhibits (as of January 2011) by the poets of LIRA. It was my 1st time to exhibit my photos. In contrast, this was Ynna's 3rd time (after SARMING and LAV).

From our press release:

Salit Sining: Wordsmiths Turned Visual Artists



Opening on 20 March 2010, 6:00 PM, TaUmbayan Restaurant
40 T. Gener cor. K-1 Streets (near Kamuning Road), Quezon City
Exhibit lasts until 8 April 2010

Featuring the works of:

Gian Abrahan
Mariane A.R.T. Abuan
Rommel Chester Boquiren
Jeremiah Faustino
Mikael Gallego
Phillip Kimpo Jr.
Vivian N. Limpin
Maria Pamela Maranca
Carla Payongayong
Beverly W. Siy

Poets paint scenes, capture snapshots, and weave worlds with words—most of the time, that is. When they rest their pens for actual brushes and cameras, some of them can cross over from the art of letters to the visual arts.

In Salit Sining, several of these poets demonstrate their talent (or at least, their passion) for their “other arts.” They are all members of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), the premier organization of poets in Filipino celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These young men and women have proven their mettle in taming the salita in one way or another; in Salit Sining, they humbly present their capabilities as painters and photographers.

To adapt what we wrote in a previous exhibit of two poet-painters, the works at Salit Sining might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes and wayward camera clicks, or whatever you call it—drop by anyway. Visual art will be the main course and poetry readings the appetizers.

Read the artists profiles here.

I borrowed some pics from Ynna's cam, Brendan Goco, and TAuMBAYAN.

This day had a tight schedule: morning meeting with National Artist Virgilio S. Almario at Technohub for our April 2 Balagtas Day rally. Lunch at Jollibee East Ave.-V. Luna before picking up our framed works at Mang Joe's. Then, taking the cab to the exhibit venue, the TAuMBAYAN Restaurant near Kamuning, for a whole afternoon of setting up the works. After the ingress, I had to go home to print the artists' profiles. Then, before the sun went out, I had to rush back to TAuMBAYAN for the exhibit opening. Sakto ang dating ko.

Napuno namin ang resto, at maraming salamat sa suporta ng mga kaibigan, kamag-anak, at kasamang makata sa LIRA. Salit Sining, saksesssssss.


P.S. Hanapin si aydol Eugene Domingo sa piks :P