Art as surfacing

Out of the void emerged the Word. From the Word emerged flesh. Out of being and nothingness emerged art. From four Filipino artists there emerged the will to merge the aesthetic and the functional, as well as the urge to do their part in educating the youth of our nation.

Such is the theme of "Emergence," which features the fine-art photographs of artist Jaime Zobel de Ayala and the artworks of conceptual sculptor Reg Yuson and figurative sculptor Jordan Mendoza brought together in living spaces designed by Wilmer Lopez. The exhibit opens on Nov. 10, 6 p.m. at the ground floor gallery of the Ayala Museum. "Emergence" is open to the public from Nov. 11 until Dec. 8.

As in all things, Zobel says sagely, "It began with a seed." When Ayala Foundation president Vicky Garchitorena talked to Zobel about the need to raise funds for GILAS (or Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students), a multi-sectoral initiative to connect all Philippine public high schools to the Internet by 2010, Zobel saw it as an opportunity to pursue two worthy causes: improving educational resources and promoting Filipino artists.

Thus, the emergence of "Emergence."

"In my mind, there has always been this great desire to share art, communicate art to others, and with others," says Zobel. "I like collaborating with other artists, because each one always brings to the table a new perspective, a new insight, and we learn from each other."

For "Emergence," Zobel invited three young artists to participate in a convergence of art and altruism.

He says, "I have always admired Reg Yuson for his absolute attention to detail and quality in his sculptures. Wilmer Lopez, who usually borrows my artworks to illustrate his interior designs, comes up with works that are sheer perfection. Jordan Mendoza is the Benjamin of them all. I knew Jordan’s father Joe Mendoza, who has done most of the sculptures here in Makati. When I attended Jordan’s exhibit (at The Crucible Gallery), I became fascinated with his attention to detail and perfection of the human figure, something that is very difficult to find (in the art scene) these days. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to interact (with these young artists)."

Zobel adds that the exhibit is proof that four people in the art world can come together and do something positive.

The role of Wilmer Flores was to create a concept that would house four different artworks by four different artists. "The idea for ‘Emergence’ was to simulate a modern tropical house," Flores explains. "We set out to create a series of ‘rooms’ with distinct personalities (which are) defined and enhanced by all the artists’ creations."

The goal of the exhibition, according to Zobel, is to show how art can be integrated into everyday life, and to dispel the notion that artworks should only be housed in the ivory tower of the aesthete, built to collect nothing but dust and years.

We want our artworks to connect with ordinary people, adds Flores.

Reg Yuson says, "Like in any other group exhibition, I had to understand the sensibilities of the other artists involved in this project, and then put my own inputs in the overall context. For ‘Emergence,’ I made a table, a bench and some wall-bound and freestanding sculptures, which were scaled to suit mainly interior spaces. I believe that the exhibit is for a good cause (as pursued by GILAS). Art alone cannot change the world, technology is an imperative part of development and growth."

Jordan Mendoza relates, "When Mr. Zobel brought up the idea for this show, it didn’t take much to convince me. It gave me a chance to explore new forms and to work with a team. For ‘Emergence,’ I created sculptures of dancing figures cast in bronze, some of which were meant to be collaborative pieces and designed to complement Mr. Zobel’s photographs."

But though the pieces on view were the fruits of collaboration, Zobel insists that each artist be judged individually. He says, "Once you’ve done so, then you put the works together and see that visual harmony can really be created. For me, presenting artworks is essential. Art comes through your eyes and through your senses, and if you give it the right environment, people could relate to it."

Zobel is in effect saying that out of good art could emerge anything – functionality, social consciousness, new perspectives, new epiphanies, even the unbearable lightness of well-being.

He concludes, "This exhibit will prove that four different people who do art in four different ways can come together and do something that is really wonderful."

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"Emergence" opens on Nov. 10, 6 p.m. at the ground floor gallery of the Ayala Museum. The exhibit is on view to the public from Nov. 11 until Dec. 8. The Ayala Museum is on the corner of Makati Ave. and Dela Rosa St., Makati City. For information, call 892-1801, or visit www.ayalamuseum.org.