Battles and conflicts at galeRie Joaquin uP town centeR
Ram Mallari’s art is a reinvestigation of war and conflict’s relevance in contemporary issues. In this way, Mallari conveys that, with the current geo-political tensions in various parts of the world today, it is a good time for the audience to take a deeper look at the idea of conflict, the issues of dispute and the weapons being used, so much so that it is also high time to think about their resolution.
The dialogue about conflict needs to be committed, active and critical; conscious of its capacity to influence. It needs to be viewed, discussed and tackled now.
“Battle Royale” expects to be part of a more complex and extra-disciplinary social action, as Mallari’s art attempts to exceed its limits in reconfiguring discourse among parties.
All of the works for “Battle Royale” are anchored in a more contemporary idea of what art does. The pieces become performative artworks, engaging the spectator in generating and exploring their own meaning.
Mallari believes that his oeuvre acts as a universal language, with his use of mechanical elements of steam punk as communicators of strength, vulnerability, conflict and resolution; as discussed in the new coffeetable book titled Ironheart to be launched within the exhibition dates at Art Lounge Manila.
In a similar vein, “Taishindan,” which means “a raiding brigade,” is an exhibition of sculptures by Richard Buxani that depicts raging battles of legendary samurai warriors. It is on view at Galerie Joaquin UP Town Center.
“The show is about inner conflicts, how we view loyalty and submission to wars,” explains Buxani.
This led to considerations of inner conflict and ideas of the psyche. The artist suggests inner conflict is due to opposing forces setting up a tension within one’s self. Fusing these ideas together, he began the battlefield series of Samurai warriors.
For Buxani, the warriors are not only engaged in a struggle for power with each other, but also the power sought is within and the conflicts are internal.
“Battle Royale” is on view until Oct. 9 with the artist reception and the grand launch of Ironheart coffeetable book on Ram Mallari scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.. “Taishindan” is on view until Oct. 10 with the Artist Reception on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
Art Lounge Manila is on the ground level of The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
For inquiries, call 0917-5343942 or 218-2831 or email info@galeriejoaquin.com.
Galerie Joaquin U.P. Town Center is located on the 2nd Floor of Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, QC.
For inquiries, call 247-1109 or email galeriejoaquin@gmail.com.