Marine life, otherness, and natural dangers come alive through creative expression in this exhibit
The waves of the seas are often a source of merriment and joy. Feeling the splash of the waters provides us relief and comfort, while diving in the deep waters and discovering the beauty of marine life are nothing short of breathtaking.
The narrative of “Ebb and Flow: Return to Nature” is inspired by these feelings. It is an exhibit that encourages unique identities, as seen in the collection of paintings, prints, photography, and sculptures. It depicts the vibrancy of marine life, otherness, and natural dangers through creative expression.
Curated by Cesar Caballero, “Ebb and Flow: Return to Nature” features works by Kizel Cotw-an (Philippines), Ramon and Romina Diaz (Philippines and Italy), Louis Dumont (Belgium), Henri Etéve (France), Jeanette Kamphuis (Sweden), Radha Makitalo (Finland), Fara Manuel Nolasco (Philippines), Ann Pamintuan (Philippines), René Reiter (Germany), Viviana Riccelli (Italy).
Caballero says that the exhibit is a “gathering once again of multidisciplinary artists from the Philippines and several European countries maintaining connections on vital and important questions for life and the transcendental co-existence of the identity of communities and their individuals.”
The exhibit is an initiative of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and the Yuchengco Museum, alongside the Embassies of Belgium, Germany, Spain (together with Instituto Cervantes Manila), France (together with Alliance Francaise de Manille), Italy (together with the Philippine Italian Association and Galleria Duemila), Finland, Sweden, and artists from the University of the Philippines, Baguio City.
Inaugurating the exhibition were: H.E. Luc Véron, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines; Madam Yvonne Yuchengco, Chairwoman of the Yuchengco Museum; and Mr César Caballero, Curator.
Ambassador Véron said that the title of the exhibition “Ebb and Flow” is an invitation to meditation. “An invitation to meditate on life. No life without water. Yet, as we, sailors, know very well, water is indomitable. Our planet is blue, yet man cannot conquer the ocean. We are just its humble servants,” he said.
Whether it’s using art as a forum or footing to evoke a spirit, the exhibit sets a precedent for the kind of impact and influence art has in the country.
The “Ebb and Flow: Return to Nature” exhibition is part of the Viva Europa 2022 and is in celebration of the founding of the European Union. The exhibition coincides with the EU Green Week (30 May to 5 June) and the UN Ocean’s Conference (Lisbon, 27 June to 1 July 2022). The exhibition is ongoing at the Yuchengco Museum, Makati City, until 31 May 2022.
