A (somewhat different) Art Talk

Join members of Epoch for a fascinating discussion on the inspiration behind their exhibit Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention with topics ranging from product concept and design, transforming design ideas, and the sustainability and marketability of products.  The talk will be on May 24, Thursday, from 6 to 8 pm, at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Epoch is a group of six young international artists and designers -- Jinggoy Buensuceso, Martha Cech, Olivia d'Aboville, Daniel Latorre Cruz, Stanley Ruiz and Wataru Sakuma -- driven to show beauty and meaning in experimental designs.The group has evolved into a movement that challenges old concepts, provoking the mind to think of alternative perspectives.


Presented by Goethe-Institut as part of the exhibit Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention, the talk will be moderated by designer Tony Gonzales and Tes Pasola.


Designers Talk comes with admission: P100 for adults, P50 for students, P25 for children and seniors.  To register, contact Luisa Zaide of Goethe-Institut at program@manila.goethe.org or call (632) 817-0978.


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Rizal Lecture Series Continues

Just because it is September already, it doesn't mean that the celebration for Josr Rizal's 150th birthday is over abd done. Yuchengco Museum continues the Rizal Lecture Series and this month, it will explore a different side to Jose Rizal, with talks on controversial facts about the National Hero and on Rizal’s dreams and their meaning. The series of Saturday afternoon lectures began in July as a highlight of RIZALizing the Future, an exhibit on view at the museum until October 29.

University of Asia and the Pacific history professor Paul Dumol -- who spoke on “Rizal and Nationhood” last August -- will return on September 17, Saturday, at 3 p.m. to share his lecture entitled “Controversial Facts About Rizal: Notes Towards a New Rizal Biography.”

Psychoanalyst and dream analyst Lucito de Jesus will discuss “Jose Rizal and His Dreams: A Look at the National Hero’s Dreams and their Meanings” on September 24, Saturday, at 3 p.m. De Jesus will explore and decipher the dreams Rizal had written in his letters and diaries, what these say about Rizal’s psyche, and how these dreams guided Rizal in his life and personal development. Lucito de Jesus is a recognized dream specialist and author of two books: Dreamwork: Values and Practices in the Philippines and Reading Dreams: Relationships. He hosts a regular weekly radio program called Dreamdate on DZSR Sports Radio 918.

Both talks are open to the public and come with museum admission (P100 for adults, P50 for students, and P25 for children and senior citizens). Seating is limited. To reserve, call 889-1234 or email info@yuchengcomuseum.org. The Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City.

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Rizal Lecture Series

Fresh from watching the gala performance of Tanghalang Pilipino's "Noli Me Tangere The Musical" last Friday, here's another Rizal event that I wanted to share with you.

The Yuchengco Museum continues its popular Rizal Lecture Series, this time looking into the Knights of Rizal and Jose Rizal’s concept of Filipino nationhood. The series began last July as a highlight of RIZALizing the Future, an exhibit on view at the museum until October 29, 2011.

Two Rizal lectures are scheduled this August, both held on Saturday afternoons beginning at 3 p.m. On August 13, Justice Justo Torres, Jr. will talk about The Knights of Rizal: Through the Years, shedding light on the Order of the Knights of Rizal and its objectives and organizational structure. He will also discuss the Order’s recent activities and programs. Justice Torres is the Supreme Commander Emeritus of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a fraternal organization that honors and upholds the ideals of the National Hero. A retired Associate Justice of the Court of the Appeals and the Supreme Court, Justice Torres is also the Vice President of the Cavite Historical Society and an official of the Philippine Judicial Academy.

On August 20, Paul Dumol will speak on Rizal and Nationhood, specifically on Jose Rizal’s contribution to the building of Filipino nationhood. Paul Dumol is an associate professor at Department of History at the University of Asia and the Pacific, where he teaches courses on ethics, Philippine history, and Jose Rizal. Dumol is also a playwright, his best known work being Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio.Dumol’s plays have been exceedingly on historical subjects, particularly Philippine heroes of the end of the 19^th century.

Both talks come with museum admission (P100 for adults, P50 for students, and P25 for children and senior citizens). Advance registration is recommended. To reserve, call 889-1234 or emailinfo@yuchengcomuseum.org. The Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City.

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Rizal @150: RIZALizing the Future

This June 19 marks Jose Rizal's 150 birthday and as the Philippines' national hero, it is but fitting that tributes be done for him. One such tribute is the Yuchengco Museum's RIZALizing the Future exhibition which aims to make Rizal "young" and relevant to the new generation.

This can be found inside the elevator.

Most of us may know of Jose Rizal through the social studies and history classes in school; have seen him in monuments, stamps and currency; and have read his books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo but having gone through the Rizal exhibit made me realize that I still have a lot to learn about him and his life.

Me with a Team Manila graphic art of our national hero in the background.

Yuchengco Museum Curator Jeannie Javelosa gathered bloggers and people from media for a guided tour to preview the exhibit the night before it officially opened. She shared with us the dynamics of being a curator -- how she and her group would think of what to showcase next in the museum, how and where to gather the items for exhibit (artifacts and paintings), and how to market it to attract audience.

Curator Jeannie Javelosa dishes out about the exhibit story-telling style.

A special guided tour pre-opening night.

Ms. Javelosa excitedly told us that Rizal family members have collaborated with the museum to bring to the public Rizaliana memorabilia never exhibited before while some paintings and sculptures were from famous Filipino artists. Notable objects on display include sketches by Jose Rizal, jewelry worn by Rizal's childhood sweetheart Leonor Rivera, art by Team Manila, and banknotes and coins bearing Rizal's image.

Rizal on old Philippine money.

An old photo of the Rizal (back row, second from left) among family and friends.

Leonor Rivera's locket necklace.

Team Manila merchandise depicting the modern Rizal.

Visitors are encouraged to walk and meditate around a floating garden (and even lie on the abaca rug under it) and ponder on excerpts from Rizal's letters, novels, and poems reflecting his values.

Ponder on Rizal's works and values.

Lie beneath the floating garden while listening and meditating.

The special exhibit also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, highlighting YGC's root of inspiration: Rizal the Great Malayan, as seen through the naming of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and the Malayan Insurance. Yuchengco patriach Alfonso Yuchengco, is a great fan of Jose Rizal.

I wanted to post more photos from the exhibit but I'm afraid it would be a spoiler to what could be your wonderful learning experience. Curious much? Go and visit soon.

RIZALizing the Future is on view until October 29 at the Yuchengco Museum at the ground floor of RCBC Plaza, Ayala corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati City. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. For more information on the exhibit and to know about the schedule of other Rizal-related events, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.