Slip away across this Pocket Universe
Camille Santillana, who helps young artists get much-needed exposure, recalls, ‘I actually went to malls to ask for their used Styrofoam packaging, had them cleaned and shipped to the artists to be used as materials for their art. It was disgusting to han
It is a Wednesday evening at the bar on Guijo Street. Or is it Tuesday? Fifth beer and the guys from The Joshua Four are on their third U2 song, Red Hill Mining Town. Or is it New Year’s Day? Memory — marinated with beer — is hazy, but as to how good the band is… quite unforgettable. Romel “Sancho” Sanchez on (infinite-sounding) guitar. Raimund Marasigan on drums. Buddy Zabala on bass. Jett Pangan on soaring, soaring vocals. Standing by the door is guitarist Diego Castillo about to brandish his worn-brown Gibson SG with the rest of Sandwich right after the U2 tribute band. Just another typical night of maximum rock ‘n’ roll at SaGuijo Café+Bar in San Antonio, Makati. Life is damn good. I order another beer. Upstairs is another world altogether. The Pocket Universe Art Collective (PUAC) is composed of an art gallery, a shop and the Snow Tattoo parlor. PUAC was established by a group of friends whose aim is to promote young Filipino artists and (via its shop) to create a collaboration with independent entrepreneurs who offer unique products.
The A-team is composed of managing consultant Camille Santillana, managing partners Paolo Peralta and Sarah Gaugler. Gaugler, a visual artist and tattooist, is also one of PUAC’S resident artists; and when not handling the affairs of PUAC, Sarah and Paolo rock out downstairs as Turbo Goth. Karen Sanguanpong handles the operations of the collective, while Rica Barcelon-sanchez and Sancho advise the team on finance and operations.
Santillana says that she has always been drawn to art. Sure, despite ending up working in different (presumably humdrum) fields after graduation, art (particularly artist management) seems to be her calling.
“It started with Buboy Bajado, currently PUAC gallery manager and one of the resident artists, who (at one time) cut my hair, Japanese-style,” Camille recalls. “He showed me his sculptures made of human and synthetic hair bound with resin, which disgusted me just as much as it fascinated me. Buboy told me he wanted exposure for his art, and even if I wasn’t sure how to go about it, I promised I would make it happen for him.”
During a “decadent” dinner, surrounded by old and new friends, Camille decided to approach a gallery — any gallery that would take them — with the show “4xIII”, which featured her friends Monica Barretto, Kate Santos and Gaugler. Gallery Nine took a chance on them and it got the ball rolling.
Camille knew what she wanted to do: put up a gallery for new, young and not-so conventional artists and art. She recalls, “In late 2011, I decided to set up (our own) art space because I had been in love with Theo Gallery at SaGuijo for many years, and thought it was perfect in presenting my goal of empowering the artists that fit the profile. SaGuijo is an establishment for indie music, why not an independent gallery?”
Santillana turned the space into a gallery cum shop whose consigners are local independent and smallbusiness entrepreneurs who infused art and craftsmanship into their merchandise. Current partners include Beef (graphic art T-shirts), Blanco Quaderno (handmade leather journals), Burp (graphic T-shirts) Feralina & Feralie, Jeepney Rock Stop (band merchandise and CDs) Master Blaster (local music merchandise) Monsterella Plush Art (handmade plush toys), Paper Wallets-The Weekend Project (sturdy wallets made out of actual wa- terproof paper), Redslim08 (art and graphic T-shirts), Soul Flower (jewelry and accessories), Tigasouth (graphic T-shirts), and Woozy (graphic t-shirts).
She explains, “We want to establish ourselves as a gallery that sets no boundaries upon art, and can empower and further inspire artists to pursue their passion.artist ‘X’ may be known for scenery and portraits, but he can come to us and indulge his unknown skill or desire for abstract or installation art. Artist ‘X’ can set aside the conventional and become unconventional, and vise-versa.artist ‘X’ is the one we look for all the time. We’re about making things possible — when it can’t be done with others or elsewhere.” And it has been a hell of a ride ever since. One of Camille’s favorite shows is “The Styro Project.” (It featured established artists such as Kawayan de Guia as well as up-andcoming ones.)
“It’s a campaign and effort to recycles tyro foam — yes, the technology exists — and to launch the campaign, we had an exhibit that featured art made from recycled Styrofoam. I actually went to malls to ask for their used Styrofoam packaging, had them cleaned and shipped to the artists to be used as materials for their art. It was disgusting to handle the trash, but I could see the beauty that would come from it.”
If unconventional artists are nearby, can the quirky and the strange be far behind?
She relates, “At the opening ceremony, one of the artists included fire in the ritual and ended up burning the floor of the gallery. The owner was so angry at me because it was 60-year-old hardwood. Fortunately, I was forgiven, and allowed to hold another show. But as scared as I was, I was also laughing because that kind of thing falls under the category of my type of humor — twisted. It’s a strange thrill.”
Strange thrill… Camille can say that again. Wait, she adds, till you see the shapes of things to come for Pocket Universe.
Santillana concludes, “I have always wanted to set up a foundation for artists, or an institution that can give grants. Also, I want to set up a museum. PUAC is the stepping-stone to that goal. We’re working hard to build the collective into something that can expand and reach out to the Filipino artist and art industry, by discovering new artists and providing a venue and medium for established artists who want to go beyond the regular path of experimentation.” Nothing’s gonna change our world? Think again.
The pocket univers eart collective art gallery, shop & snow tattoois at the second floor, Saguijocafé+bar, 7612Guijost., San antonio village, Makati City. For information, call +63929-8424055, e-mail pocketuniverseart@gmail.com and snowtattoo@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook. com / pocket universe art,www.facebook.com/ snowtattooshop, www.facebook. com/buboybajado and www.facebook.com/ sarahdemetriagaugler.