‘Speed of Abstract’: Igan D’Bayan curates ‘happy art show’ for mallgoers

March 30, 2024 | 1:16pm

MANILA, Philippines — After the sensory overload and whirl of art festivals last month, “Speed of Abstract” at Arteblado came as a delightful bite-size art show early this month. 

Gestures, moods and reimaginations of objects and experiences are diversely interpreted in “Speed of Abstract.” Featuring the works of Jules Sanvictores, Mike Sagaran and Mark Ortiga with Igan D’Bayan as curator, the show was a jovial disruption to the bustling mall atmosphere in Robinsons Galleria. 

According to D’Bayan, who is likewise a visual artist, musician author of the forthcoming Glenn Bautista coffeetable book and columnist, “We wanted to suggest how art can also convey movement — gestural (in the case of Julius’ abstracts, mobile (as symbolized by Michael’s vehicle paintings), as well as kinetic (in regard to Marco’s pendulum drawing machines). Art is not just about portraits of stiff socialites superimposed with flowers and butterflies, or kitschy mega-sculptures.”

Finding common ground

D’Bayan said he has always enjoyed “Michael’s predilection for precision. Julius’ handling of acrylic and his choice of colors and Marco’s unorthodox concepts.” He said he also looks forward to seeing the artists explore other things as well. 

Much as the three artists are masters of their distinct visions, D’Bayan’s thoughtful curation brought out a sense of harmony at the ARTablado space.  

Sanvictores, a bandmate of D’Bayan’s Black Vomits, presents acrylic paintings with peppy color splashes that are deliciously thick with textures. The palpable dynamic rhythm in his impulsive strokes, he said, is influenced by “nature sounds, swing, progressive rock, be-bop jazz, film and everyday life.”

Sagaran, notable for his paintings of vintage cars, moved out of his figurative style by his depiction of a slightly distorted speeding jeepney. According to Sagaran, “I was contemplating on how I could veer away from my usual realistic works for a more painterly style. The vehicle is still recognizable but it’s now going towards expressionism, which is  the direction that I plan to take in my next paintings.” 

Ortiga, on the other hand, focused on the principles of physics and math in his harmonograph-inspired sculpture. A similar work previously exhibited produced a sound when the pendulums are swaying. But in this show, Ortiga said, “I thought of creating kinetic sculptures instead, where the kind of drawing produced depends on whether it is a single, double, or triple-pendulum sculpture. Gravity, influences the movement of the pendulums, which helps create the drawings.”

Happy ground

Launched in 2020, ARTablado aims to promote and connect art as part of everyday life. Since then, it has pave the way for both emerging and established artists to be appreciated by the mall-going public. Besides Sanvictores, the two artists and D’Bayan are first-timers to the art space. 

D’Bayan shared his experience, “ARTablado has always been supportive of artists and art exhibitions that may not fit the programming of conventional, cash-register-friendly galleries.

“We were even allowed to transform the layout of the gallery space itself, pushing the walls to the sides, unblocking the windows of the mall, trying to approximate the panel arrangements of museums we’ve seen abroad.

“At first, I wanted to hang the paintings from the railings — inspired by what the curators have done in National Gallery Singapore’s recent ‘Tropical’ show. But I guess, ‘Speed of Abstract’ needed a different approach. Roseann Villegas (Robinsons Land Corp. Director for Corporate Public Relations) and Cookie Marquez (Manager for Corporate Public Relations) are always very receptive to new ideas. We need more of them in the art scene.” 

The opening of “Speed of Abstract” itself had the feel of an art event vernissage as musical groups of diverse persuasions added to the exuberance of the happening. 

“We’ve always incorporated music in our art projects. It breaks up the monotony of guzzling down white wine, engaging in small talk with the people at the opening and cursing under our breaths those who promised to show up but didn’t. The bands — Marco Ortiga + Tad Ermitaño, The Garceaus, The Executives and The Black Vomits — livened things up in the mall. I was surprised that we were allowed to play that loudly,” D’Bayan said. 

“What I like about exhibitions in malls is that people, who are there for other things, end up being onlookers or observers to whatever artistic shenanigans we’ve come up with. These mall-goers — members of an accidental audience — become participants in a dialogue. Maybe we get to inspire some kid to take a break from social media or online games, dab some paint on canvas or paper, and come up with something oracular.”

Agree to that. In  “Speed of Abtract,” indeed, spectators are encouraged to slow down to see more beyond the surface of expressions and thoughts culled from an otherwise mundane existence. 

RELATED: Soler Santos, Ruel Caasi, Ronald Ventura and Igan D’Bayan blur boundaries at West Gallery exhibits