Rosscapili’s‘Se Souvenir’ at Galerie Anna
Rosscapili showcases his lyrical ventures into the nature of time, or a time spent in nature, and the passage of both in the memory of man in “Se Souvenir” (which is French for “to remember”), which opens on Oct. 5 at the Galerie Anna, fourth floor, The Artwalk, SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City.
Rosscapili had to contend with the heavily commercial orientation of the word souvenir, so mercilessly jaded by the mass consumption of merchandise in the obligatory souvenir shops. We now regard our purchases — the silkscreened T-shirts, the key chains, the miniature Eiffel Towel, the plates and coffee mugs — as the precious talismans of memory, of what Rosscapili calls “the elsewhere and the elsewhen.”
Unlike his photographs which freeze time in the most realistic of manner, these new paintings work their way into our emotional system through the weighted symbolism of each object. Thetitlesof the works are seductively idyllic: “Fireflies Garden,” “Morning Dew,” Hope Blooms,” “Lush and Lovely.” The musical allusions come into play as the artist himself is an avid and ardent collector of vintage records.
The artist and his wife Ellen, have had an enduring and ongoing love affair with the City of Light, the City of Lovers, indeed, the City of Artists. The last time Rosscapili was in Paris was in 1993 when he had a three-month art residency, through “Escale D’Asie,” a Philippine Culture and Tourism Program supported by Philippine Airlines (where the artist once worked as an art director) and the Department of Tourism. His works were featured in a solo show at the Galeries Lafayette. (A bonus blessing was the conception in Paris of their daughter, hence named Miro Frances, after the Parisbased Catalan artist Joan Miro. Miro Capili grew up to be the now three-time Palanca first prize winner in the English Essay category.)
Rosscapili, inveterate Francophile, can prove it wasn’t a dream.
For inquiries, call tel no: 470-2511 or SMS 09399127930.