A mother’s cradle
THE uncertainties wrought by the ongoing global health crisis, the divisions cracked by the election season. Amid the various events and consequences hounding us, a visual artist and a mother of two shines the light of maternal love this May. Ongoing for this entire month is an exhibition featuring 18 cradle nests by Kristine Lim installed at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. The show, titled Ugoy, is presented by the Department of Tourism, It’s More Fun in The Philippines, Intramuros Administration, Art Lounge Manila, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and I Love Mom Movement.
“The past years have been challenging, and through God, who comforts us as a mother comforts a child, we are granted an endless source of strength that we may endure our dark days,” said Lim, whose current show serves as her 3rd art installation in Intramuros. “18 cradle nests representing our 18 regions are scattered in Intramuros to honor the mothers in our country and our motherland.”
Like her most recent presentation in the area for this year’s Holy Week, Ugoy channels the spirit of another special celebration, Mother’s Day, and showcases an exclusive musical composition by Jonathan Manalo, creative director of ABS-CBN Music.
Lim described Manalo’s song for her art installation as “a beautifully combined and ethereal melody of voice and rhythm we can rest on as we ponder what it means to be cradled by our motherland that we must uphold, honor, and care for. A call for realization that every Filipino, young, old, regardless of gender and status, are the real mothers of our nation.”
Manalo invites the audience to be cradled by the presentations’ hums and melodies, to let go, to find peace amid the pandemonium. “Let Ugoy sway you through the fearful illusions of life’s shakings and tremblings, toward the comfort that it intends to give,” he writes in the composer’s statement. “The best way to go through the greatest highs and lows is to rest in and surrender to the One who is greater.”
Lim’s cradles are made of wood and branches, creating arches from which swings hang. According to the exhibition’s curator Ian Belleza, Lim’s art installations, combined with Manalo’s musical score, are meant for audience participation, where they can gently swing back and forth and take in a moment.
“As we are left with our musings, we are encouraged to remember that God, like our mothers, always have our best interests in His heart—that He will always be there to nudge us in the right direction, no matter how challenging life can get,” Belleza pens in the curator’s note.
“Additionally, we need to realize that we, the Filipino people, are just as responsible for our motherland as our elected leaders. The country’s future does not just rely on those with authority or power. We, as a nation, should use our Godgiven talents and skills to improve our country’s predicament.”