When I sat down to write about the ongoing Frame of Mind art exhibit at Limketkai Center, I was suddenly, inexplicably and vividly transported to the past, recalling one of my late father Rene’s favorite classical records: Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.
(photo by Chris Gomez)
Composed for piano by Modest Mussorgsky as a requiem for his friend, Viktor Hartmann, an artist and architect who shared a passion for intrinsically Russian art who died suddenly in 1873 at age 39, Mussorgsky composed Pictures at an Exhibition in only six weeks after viewing an exhibition of over 400 of Hartmann’s works.
The suite in ten movements depicts an imaginary tour of an art collection. Mussorgsky based his musical material on drawings and watercolors by Hartmann produced mostly during the artist’s travels abroad.
The suite is Mussorgsky’s most famous piano composition and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists. It has become further known through various orchestrations and arrangements produced by other musicians and composers, with Maurice Ravel’s arrangement being the most recorded and performed.
(photo by Chris Gomez)
And so what’s the connection with Frame of Mind? Featuring emerging and established artists from Northern Mindanao, Frame of Mind: A Northern Mindanao Art Exhibit runs till Saturday, 25 July 2015 at the 2nd Level, East Wing of Limketkai Mall.
Put together by Renaissance Man Chris Gomez (murag si Leonardo da Vinci, mayo sa tanan!) the exhibition “is open to Northern Mindanao artists from a wide range of artistic backgrounds. Frame of Mind welcomes artists to showcase their latest works and provide new possibilities for those who are looking to broaden their artistic career and exhibition background.”
Frame of Mind runs till July 25 at the 2nd Level of Limketkai Center (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
Chris says the exhibition aims to show how paintings represent different interpretations of concept and ideas; showcase new works of art for viewers to study how the elements of art and principles of design were used by artist by creating their works; and support Filipino artists’ creativity as presented in artworks in three different mediums: painting, sculpture and installation.
Nonoy Estarte holds court with his students (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
“The project theme, ‘Frame of Mind’ seeks to demonstrate the Filipino notion of dealing with concepts/ideas or the force that creates things/situations, especially good things to happen by CHANCE from ethnographic, personal to global adaptation of Filipino concept of thinking,” says the organizer. “This theme shall be reflected in the production of paintings, sculptures and/or installation of participating artists.”
(photo by Chris Gomez)
Hmmm, do you hear “Pictures at an Exhibition” as you slowly walk among the artworks in “Frame of Mind?” I do wish the organizers would play something more appropriate rather than the pop music that distracts the viewer from properly appreciating the obras of my fellow Mindanaoans.
Patrick Gabutina explains his work Madonna & Child to some guests (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
Last Saturday, July 18. 2015, the public was treated to a series of talks by the artists themselves, among them: Nonoy Estarte on Practicing Art through Community Involvement; Maila Secuban on Empowering Women Artists in Mindanao; Jake Vamenta on The Art of Joining Art Competitions; Chris Gomez on Portfolio for Artists; and Patrick Gabutina on Collecting Art.
Frame of Mind features the works of the following artists from various locales of Mindanao: Cagayan de Oro City: Nick Aca, Boyet Ramoso, Chris Gomez, Michael Bacol, Oca Floirendo, Michelle Hollanes Lua, Nonoy Estarte, Patrick Gabutina, Jojo Sescon, Jake Vamenta and Renz Altubar;
The Participating Artists for FRAME OF MIND
Iligan City: Jan Pagarian, Maila Secuban, Tzaddi Esguerra, Dianne Loberanes, Farrah Estabaya, Henry Cocos, Jacinto Geronimo, Edzon dela Cruz, Jeffrey Ouano, Ely Neri, Winston Actub, and Rick Khan Rivera; Pagadian City: Gieward Hulagno and Armin Virata; and Butuan City: Bada Torralba and Gualberto Licong.
(photo by Chris Gomez)
The organizers express their since thanks and gratitude to the following partners who made the exhibition possible: Limketkai Mall; Abante Mindanaw Party-List (ABAMIN); City Councilor Bong Lao; DJ RB Banaag; Engr. & Mrs. Noel Monoy; Mr. Nonoy Estarte; Bigbys Café & Restaurant; Nanay Choleng’s Muron; Thai Me Up; Chino’s Deli; The Red Rafts; and Mercedes cakes and breads. (The Night Stalker)
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