The Mirage Event at Qube

Again, the Qube Gallery was the setting of a unique exhibit "Mirage: A League Front Runner Series," an open-theme exhibit participated in by the country's premier visual artists, showcasing their different styles. Of course, present were the artists themselves: Red Mansueto, Raul Isidro, Florence Cinco, Maxine Syjuco, JavyVillacin, Roli Manlulu, Jeanmarie Syjuco, and Edwin Jumalon. Also present were art enthusiasts and friends from the media.

A mirage is an image or a set of images created by a play of lights. These images are uncertain and dubbed unreal at times. Nonetheless, mirages aren't just figments of a thought or collective thoughts. They are perceived and are scrutinized, processed, and justified by the naked eyes. The mind controls the reality of its imaginations.

Mirage comes from the Latin word "Mirari," which means to "look at" or to "wonder at." Mirage serves as an open ground for artists to express, discuss, and even play with the illusions that light and intellect bring about. Ultimately, there is truth to what art aficionados claim about depth in the arts. Significant societal occurrences are responded to and cerebral images are interpreted by the exhibiting artists that also include SioMontera and Randy Ordonez.

Mirage is a travelling show. The same setup and lineup - but different artworks - was previously exhibited as "MATA" in Gallerie Astra. The featured group of artists has been doing group shows in Phuket in Thailand, Iloilo, Boracay, Cebu, and Manila. They have all been friends despite the distance and their schedules. The nucleus of the group sprang forth from the friendship of Red Mansueto and Florence Cinco that bloomed after the exhibition in SM Cebu half a decade ago.

After their exhibition in Phuket, Thailand a couple of years back, they started bringing in Thai talent. They had also staged a Haiyan International fundraising exhibition in Galleria Duemila in Makati that ignited the participation of many international artists.

The League Front Runner series at Qube is a gathering of established artists in a group show.