ART AGAINST EJKS

While Mr. Dayrit’s works focus on the enduring ideologies of society, Manolo Sicat’s work is a criticism of the ongoing drug war as visualized his participatory art installation.

Right in the middle of the gallery space is a hollow image cast from a young boy, a real drug user, and gallery visitors can light candle for what seems to be a dead body.

Called Disembodiment, the installation is supposed to be lifted five feet above the ground so everyone can see that it is hollow. “It’s called Disembodiment because the person is already dead. It’s just an empty shell,” he said.

“The person I chose — whom I’ll not divulge to maintain anonymity — is a drug user. The idea is inspired by the rampant extrajudicial killings ( EJK) on drug users. I chose the subject to represent the topic. The work is [ about] the mourning of a person’s death, but at the same time the idea of the work involves the participation of the audience as a protest against the EJK. If you at least give importance to the right to life, you can light a candle in support. Parang nakikiramay ka (so you can mourn),” explained Mr. Sicat.

But why not use an ordinary person as a model for the piece? It’s for legitimacy, said the artist.

“I want to preserve its authenticity and don’t just cast anyone, because this one may be living, but there is a threat in his life. He’s not really a bad guy, he just uses drugs. The problem is I convinced him not to continue [doing drugs], but according to him, ang nagsusupply sa kanya is from the police ( his supplier is from the police). So hindi din niya basta pwede itigil kasi siya naman yung hahanapin (so he cannot just stop because his supplier will look for him),” he said.