NEWS
English Translation:
A man with white-painted skin sits at a white-covered table, dressed in a white suit. He wears a pig’s snout and bites into a large piece of raw meat hanging from a picture of the Last Supper. Thick liquid drips from his mouth. It looks as if he might vomit at any moment – but he calmly continues eating.
The performance “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz, shown at the opening of the exhibition A New Generation in Philippine Art, was not intended to provoke disgust for its own sake. Rather, it aims to expose grievances in a society. The 34-year-old Cruz is the radical representative of a group of young Filipino artists whose works can be seen at the Güterbahnhof until 14 January.
These artists belong to the first generation of Filipinos to have grown up after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos, in a supposedly democratic environment. Their works reflect the contradictions of Philippine society: democracy undermined by corruption, and a conservative Catholic moral order that tries to suppress the population’s desire for change.
The exhibition was organised by Michael Steiner, a Swiss director, together with his Filipino partner Minerva Mondejar. With the five participating artists, the exhibition brings together two representatives of the youngest generation of Filipino artists living abroad and three who are still based in the Philippines. From a Swiss perspective, this distinction is less important than the fact that the Philippines are one of the most exciting art destinations in Asia.
Although the Philippines have fewer galleries than other Asian countries, they are emotionally more direct and intense, says Steiner. The fascination for Philippine art among young Swiss collectors is also due to the fact that many works are affordable. For a few thousand francs, one can acquire paintings or installations that would cost tens of thousands in other Asian countries.
Macabre performance: “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz as a symbol of an insatiable society.
The exhibition presents many large-scale works. The artists show monumental canvases, video works, and installations that are rarely seen in Switzerland. Even though the images often reflect the harsh realities of Philippine society, they avoid simple moralising. The works are direct, powerful, and emotionally charged.
Exhibition details:
SBB Güterbahnhof, Hohlstrasse 59
Opening exhibition buffet on Monday, 14 January, from 7 to 9 pm
Performance “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz at 7:30 pm
14 Jan 2008
The Most Interesting Shaking Cup in Asia
Tages-Anzeiger, 14 January 2008, Zurich, SwitzerlandThe exhibition “A New Generation in Philippine Art” at the Güterbahnhof shows five young Filipino artists whose works are causing controversy in the Philippines.
By Ralph HohbauerA man with white-painted skin sits at a white-covered table, dressed in a white suit. He wears a pig’s snout and bites into a large piece of raw meat hanging from a picture of the Last Supper. Thick liquid drips from his mouth. It looks as if he might vomit at any moment – but he calmly continues eating.
The performance “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz, shown at the opening of the exhibition A New Generation in Philippine Art, was not intended to provoke disgust for its own sake. Rather, it aims to expose grievances in a society. The 34-year-old Cruz is the radical representative of a group of young Filipino artists whose works can be seen at the Güterbahnhof until 14 January.
These artists belong to the first generation of Filipinos to have grown up after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos, in a supposedly democratic environment. Their works reflect the contradictions of Philippine society: democracy undermined by corruption, and a conservative Catholic moral order that tries to suppress the population’s desire for change.
The exhibition was organised by Michael Steiner, a Swiss director, together with his Filipino partner Minerva Mondejar. With the five participating artists, the exhibition brings together two representatives of the youngest generation of Filipino artists living abroad and three who are still based in the Philippines. From a Swiss perspective, this distinction is less important than the fact that the Philippines are one of the most exciting art destinations in Asia.
Although the Philippines have fewer galleries than other Asian countries, they are emotionally more direct and intense, says Steiner. The fascination for Philippine art among young Swiss collectors is also due to the fact that many works are affordable. For a few thousand francs, one can acquire paintings or installations that would cost tens of thousands in other Asian countries.
Macabre performance: “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz as a symbol of an insatiable society.The exhibition presents many large-scale works. The artists show monumental canvases, video works, and installations that are rarely seen in Switzerland. Even though the images often reflect the harsh realities of Philippine society, they avoid simple moralising. The works are direct, powerful, and emotionally charged.
Exhibition details:
SBB Güterbahnhof, Hohlstrasse 59
Opening exhibition buffet on Monday, 14 January, from 7 to 9 pm
Performance “The Banquet” by Mideo M. Cruz at 7:30 pm
14 Jan 2008
