When you walk into the San Agustin Hall, an old building where the cafeteria of the University of San Agustin is located you are met with a sight of local fruits and sceneries seen through OKIL windows. This is a result of a research based project of the Fine Arts Department, which aimed to transform spaces. The researchers wanted to provide answers on how visual art affects the community.
The transformation was focused on incorporating local culture, character, architecture and nature into the existing enclosed functional space. With the dedicated team of Fine Arts students and teachers and their belief in the growing importance of creative experiences, their talents have come together to create paintings that connect each patron to the outside environment.
Liby Norman P. Limoso – Academic Coordinator, Fine Arts Program; Ms. Ma. Rosalie Zerrudo – Project Adviser, (FA faculty); Rev. Fr. Basil Sugataon, OSA – Director, General Services Office; Engr. Josephine Gellecanao – Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture; Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA – President, University of San Agustin; Eric C. Divinagracia – Director, Student Affairs and Welfare
With the support of the university administration the idea of “opening” the walls in order to connect the people in the cafeteria with the local culture was brought to completion. By designing Okil windows, the community is now able to look through, is reintroduced and reconnected to culture and nature.
Early March 2015 this project won the 1st Augustinian Passion Project Awards given by the University of San Agustin through the Office of Student Affairs and Welfare recognizes advocacies for the common good, for providing “breathing spaces” that connect the daily cafeteria audience with art on walls – windows to our local landscapes and heritage.
To see these works and to breathe local heritage, visit University of San Agustin Cafeteria inside the San Agustin Hall.
University of San Agustin
General Luna St. Iloilo City, Philippines
Monday – Friday
8am – 5pm
(Photos by Jonn Laserna)