MANILA, Philippines - The Australian Embassy presents “Face to Face: Portraiture in a Digital Age” on view until Feb. 20 at Ayala Museum. The exhibition has been brought to Manila by the Embassy as part of Celebrate Australia 2011, a series of events marking the celebration of Australia’s National Day.
“Face to Face,” developed by Asialink and d/Lux/MediaArts, will showcase video, digital photographs and interactive installations by 14 Australian artists including Daniel Crooks, Stelarc, David Rosetzky and Rachel Scott, which explore ways in which the traditional art form of portraiture can be translated into new media.
Visiting Asialink representative Eliza
Roberts says a key aim of the exhibit “is to showcase some of Australia’s most talented photographic and time-based artists to countries that are renowned for their innovation in the fields of technology and new media.”
“Over the last 150 years new imaging and media technologies have initiated many new ways of representing the human face as a visual image. They mirror the human face in different ways and affect how we see and understand ourselves and play an important role in creating our sense of self and self-image,” explains Roberts.
Roberts also held lectures on the exhibition and Australia-Asia engagement in the arts at the Ayala Museum and University of the Philippines- College of Fine Arts.
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith shares, “‘Face to Face’ is an innovative exhibition. It simultaneously showcases some cutting edge work by Australian artists and promotes intercultural understanding between Australia and the Philippines.
“Australia is an ethnically and culturally diverse country which is adept at exploiting the latest technology in art, science, education and business. This exhibition is an opportunity for us to share with Filipinos just one example of Australia’s vibrant art scene as we celebrate our unique heritage and national identity on Australia Day.”
For information, call 757-7117 to 21, 757-8135 or visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au and www.ayalamuseum.org.