Visual artist and Philippine Navy reservist Kristine Lim holds an exhibit and mounts an installation in two sites in Manila in celebration of National Arts Month.
The exhibit and installation are part of the Kuwento ng Alon exhibit’s international tour. Kuwento ng Alon is a project in which Lim interpreted the songs of composer, songwriter and record producer Jonathan Manalo, in a series of artworks. The international tour, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service Institute, will visit 10 counties including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, United Kingdom, France, United States, Canada, and United Arab Emirates.
The ongoing exhibit is at the Manila Clock Tower Museum of Manila City Hall.
The opening and artist’s reception were held last 1 February. Present were Manila mayor Honey Lacuna; vice mayor John Marvin C. “Yul Servo” Nieto; councilor Numero “Uno” Lim; Charlie Dungo, director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila; Jose Belmonte, head of Manila Clock Tower Museum; Col. Simplitius G. Apecer, Philippine Navy deputy commander, Naval Reserve Command; and Cdr. Victor B. Mariano, PN (res) together with Philippine Navy Reserve officers, personnel and ambassadors.
Two paintings were unveiled during the event by Lim, which are gifts from Numero Lim and Jasper Lim. One is a portrait of Lacuna, and the other one, a huge work entitled Himig Sa Maynilad.
The art installation was also unveiled on 1 February at Fort Santiago, Intramuros. Present during the event were Joan Padilla, administrator of Intramuros Administration; Mitzy Aguilar-Reyes, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts; and Linggit Tan, chief of staff of former ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak.
Group show
Apart from these two, Lim, together with Cindel Tiausas, managing director of Art Lounge Manila, curates a group show for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Service Institute.
Hindi Mabigkas na mga Sanaysay features Christian + Collective Visual Artists members, and the works of Christian Mirang, Diego, Inka Madera, Lim, Rodel Buban, Randie Tojos, Sherwin Tan, Shun Ablazo II, and Sim Tolentino.
On her curator’s note, Lim wrote: “There are stories and emotions no words can suffice expression, and they are too profound for anyone to verbally convey their most authentic and honest form. Hindi Mabigkas na mga Sanaysay is a collection of distinct and unique narratives that are bonded with common intents; to be bold, to be honest, to share a part of oneself, to be grateful, to be patriotic, to do something for a greater purpose that goes beyond the art and the artist.
“As you go through the visual essays of artists from all walks of life and different backgrounds, may Hindi Mabigkas na mga Sanaysay transport you through each one’s ongoing journey. I pray that the bits and pieces of turning points, highlights, realizations, climaxes, pitfalls, and triumphs, encapsulated in what you see, not only present you how these have molded who the creators are and how it impacted those around them. May you also allow yourself to embrace the distinctness of everyone and find a part of who you are connected to who they once were and have become. These artworks may go beyond all known lexicons yet all are stories worth sharing and a testament to how the Divine continues to be the great Waymaker in their every breathing moment.”
Lim is one of the founders and officers of Christian + Collective.
An artist’s reception was held on 1 February. Present during the opening were Undersecretary Carlos D. Sorreto of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Director General Jose Maria A. Cariño of the Foreign Service Institute; Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, mayor of Pasay City; art critic Cid Reyes; and Cdr Victor B. Mariano, PN (res).
A painting, Beyond Our Borders, by Lim was also unveiled and formally turned over to the FSI and DFA. It will be displayed permanently at the library of the government agency.
The exhibit runs until 15 February.