Bulbforms & Cryptograms

Vinyl on Vinyl just moved to a bigger and brighter spot along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City and its idea of a housewarming party was just as grand as its new place. This museum cum art gallery welcomed visual patrons, both old and new, with three massive shows on its opening night.

The highlight was artist Iya Consorio’s sixth solo show called Bulbforms and Cryptograms. Consorio said the exhibit is a “collection of works about ‘repetitiveness’ acting as ‘cyphers’ related to our emotions.” She admitted that at the onset, viewers would easily come up with the notion that her pieces were done by someone who is “high” on whatever substance there is to abuse amped by various sentiments. But, in truth, it’s the other way around — she does not want to deal with emotions through her art and she is alcohol- and substance-free.

The details that go with Consorio’s works are indeed repetitive but in an informal and very striking way. One will feel grounded with multiple eyes adjacently placed against each other staring back at oneself from the dark and earthly tones of her amazing and intricate works on paper. Her psychedelic vibe from the neon-and-pastel pieces would raise one’s curiosity, like how that octopus would wrap its tentacles around one, not wanting one to leave until one has figured out what really is behind those cryptograms.

There were two experimental paintings (pyramid) that were not for sale in Consorio’s show. These were used as part of the layout. There were 11 works in oil on canvas and 14 works on paper. It was Consorio who made the layout of the exhibit. No curator was involved. All her works were sold that evening.

A group show called Extended Play was also held during the event, which featured artists painting on a 33rpm vinyl record. The group show artists included LJ Ablola, Kris Abrigo, Dennis Bato, Elmer Borlongan, Miguel Buhay, Froilan Calayag, Marian Ching, Jood Clarino, Igan D’bayan, Kawayan de Guia, Beejay Esber, Kiko Escora, Everywhere We Shoot, Dex Fernandez, Mark Andy Garcia, Edric Go, Martin Honasan, Romeo Lee, Dave Lock, Luis Lorenzana, Mall, Pow Martinez, Mayi, Regen Mulingtapang, Raffy Napay, Manuel Ocampo, Lynyrd Paras, Neil Pasilan, Tokwa Peñaflorida, Ren Quinio, Roberto Sanchez, Luis Santos, Soler Santos, Yasmin Sison, Dexter Sy, Gerry Tan, Whoop and MM Yu.

The third exhibit for Vinyl on Vinyl’s  opening was entitled Sehnsucht and featured artists Iyan De Jesus and Anjo Bolarda.  Guests enjoyed the vegetarian food catered by Wabi Sabi and the beef skewers from Skew-u.

Vinyl on Vinyl has presented emerging and established artists from the local art scene as well as featured art works and exhibitions by international artists in the same genre. Among the international artists who have graced the gallery were Jon Burgerman, Tara McPherson, Simone Legno (Tokidoki), Gary Baseman, Angry Woebots, German graffiti duo Herakut and Indonesian street artist Arkiv Vilmansa.

(Vinyl on Vinyl is now located at 2135 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.  It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. By appointment only for Sundays and Mondays. For inquiries and appointments, e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.vinylonvinylgallery.com.)