Allain Hablo’s love for strolls on his bike and his fascination for everything old but gold depicted in his series, “Cycling heARTs”
With his enduring passion for the healing of biking and his undying belief in the power of art to enliven the city, Rock Drilon made sure that the 2nd Bike Festival includes and showcases the talent and vision of Ilonggo artists who cycle. With the help of another celebrated local artist Allain Hablo, the multimedia art exhibit “cycling heART” came to be.
Maoche Chavez Pachoco brings back to life and pays tribute to the memories of their bikes in her installation “44 Jardeleza Compound Door 7”
The opening of the exhibit was formally opened by the 2nd Iloilo Bike Festival Director Dr. Ronald Sebastian and Mr. Dominador Co, Executive Assistant for Tourism, the representative from the Iloilo City Mayor’s office. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
A total of 13 cycling artists were then gathered: Marrz Capanang, Maoche Chavez Pachoco, Rock Drilon, Noel Epalan Jr., Kinno Florentiono, Allain Hablo, Liby Limoso, Kat Malazarte, Jay Pasaporte, Mia Reyes, Cheska Sarmon, Denise Marie Silva, and yours truly.
“If my Father had a bike”, Kristine Buenavista’s installation art (drawers and found objects) to pin down the little epiphanies that find the rural girl as she pedals around the city.
Noel Epalan Jr.’s “OM”, colorful mandala paintings which stand for the ecstasy he felt the first time he learned to bike. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
Cheska Sarmon’s series which encapsulates the freedom that bikers fully enjoy. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
Each artist created art out of their own cycling experiences: from images, wall-bound works, DIY craft, and installation. Preparing, and curating the show were all wonderful processes – an intimate space where burned bikes and intertwining black yarns were set up…where colorful and magnificent obras hanged on the wall, and dried leaves scattered on the floor.
Liby Limoso’s manipulated photos; a celebration of our rich Panay-Bukidnon culture “Pagpadayon ka panakayon ni Humadapnon” and “Halin kay Pangadlawan”. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
Kat Malazarte’s faith in cosmic connections through cycling is depicted in her illustration, “Go find the others”. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
Mia Reyes’ “Dream Cycle”; acrylic on canvas, her tribute to that beautiful place cycling takes you to. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
“Janies got a dream” – a crafty dream-catcher made of indigenous materials and used bicycle parts by Denise Marie Silva. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
Epalan, Sarmon, Reyes, and Silva magnified the freedom, dreaminess, and bliss only found in biking – how it takes you to that “special elsewhere”. Limoso showed in stills what it’s like to make the intangible tangible – by making cycling events as an avenue to promote our culture, history, and heritage. Malazarte and Florentino painted and illustrated about the cosmic and spiritual experience when you pedal in solitude while Pasaporte and Pachoco highlighted the power of cycling memories – the jubilant, the tearful, and the inspiring. Capanang and Buenavista tackled not only personal snippets but also societal issues evoked by moving around through their bikes. For Hablo and Drilon, it is the infinite fondness for strolls and the therapeutic effects of cycling that have moved them to create their entries for the exhibit.
“YEAR 2030”, Kinno Florentino’s painting; a narrative of his envisioned near future of spiritual stewardship and cultural appreciation. Photo by Christian Evren Lozañes.
“Dreams for a bike” is Jay Pasaporte’s 5 feet x 6 feet mixed media artwork inspired by his childhood dream to have his own bike and his struggles paying off one day.
Marrz Capanang’s “Sa pagtiyog sang pidal”, mud and leaf stain on canvas/ dry leaves/ video; his reflection on the universal pulse realized when biking.
On April 29th at 6 pm, the FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo Art Gallery brimmed over with both cycling and art enthusiasts. It was opened with an ARTbike event, a short welcome program and talk by the artists, then delightful cocktails.
The beautiful energy, healing, and discovery only cycling can give Rock Drilon; captured in his mixed media work, “Bicycle”
“cycling heART” runs until June 15, 2015.
FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo
B&C Square Bldg.
Corner Iznart and Solis St.
Iloilo City
Tuesday – Sunday
9am – 6 pm
(033) 335 – 0543