A lesson on “Artist Interaction”

Art, they say, is the expression of such diverse forms of imagination and reality. But art, as in a grounding color, can also be a unifier of opposites or things dissimilar. This is the focal point of this fascinating collaborative activity called Artist Interaction, wherein visual artists come together and execute a shared, large-scale work of art.

I had never heard of the term, let alone encountered such an activity, not until it was presented as a highlight in this year’s Art Link exhibit mounted by the Kaalyado ng Sining, a Cebu-based not-for-profit group of very low-key but highly-esteemed patrons of the art, at the Cebu Country Club. 

Seeing these painters, about 40 distinguished ones from Cebu as well as Manila (such as the internationally-renowned watercolorist Angel Cacnio and the Art Association of the Philippines president Fidel Sarmiento, to name a few), in their working outfits and all, was a privilege. It was inspiring to see the stalwarts eschewing their high-profile backgrounds, appreciating works of the younger ones, and accommodating questions on the side from “awestruck” spectators.

As they began working together or alternately on a single canvas, the atmosphere became charged with both energy and dynamism. Some turned playful, some subdued, some spontaneous, some went through prolonged contemplation as they approached the blank canvas. They were, however, one in saying that it was a huge challenge to do so, because they had to showcase their individuality but with utmost consideration to the overall aesthetics. The key word was “unify,” as the celebrated Carcar-born portrait artist Romulo “Ka Mulong” Galicano stressed.

“We introduce each of our distinctive styles, but we try to achieve, like a symphony orchestra, an effect of oneness,” explained Galicano.

During the Artist Interaction, three artworks were impressively produced in one day—one by Cebuano artists, another by Manila artists and the last one participated in by all. 

For the Cebuano artwork, they initially worked on a draft by Galicano that served only as guide and was open to each artist’s interpretation. The draft made sure though that it would magnify the artistic strengths and signature styles of Cebu’s leading artists—Celso Pepito’s solid, bright colors, Kimsoy Yap’s minute strokes, among others. (Cebuano artists are noted to be adept in the major movements—cubism, expressionism, and realism.)

Touted as one of the best figure painters around, Adeste Deguilmo, a former Fine Arts teacher at USC who has gone full-time on his craft following a very successful solo exhibit in Manila last year, said that the Artist Interaction is one activity that will help artists learn from each other, like in terms of technique and perception. “At the same time, it is a healthy activity for us because it develops camaraderie.”

As I witnessed the teamwork of top-notch talents unfolding, there’s no denying the vital creative exchange taking place. As strength comes in numbers, the Art Link’s Artist Interaction was monumental in meaning because it was the first event in the country to have these many important artists banding together for this “symbolic” show of solidarity. 

Galicano said, “Activities like this prove that the art scene in Cebu and in the whole country is alive. The artist community may rather be fragmented, but I hope it is through activities like this Artist Interaction that we finally get united.”

Here’s to more Artist Interactions to come.