Robinsons Land Development offers first public art digital installation in Naga

Robinsons Place Naga’s new art installation breathes new life into the heart of Bicol.

The mall is a mere three to 10 minutes away from major transportation. As soon as you enter the air-conditioned halls, you’ll be greeted by swooping curves adorning the ceiling forming gabi leaves. The popular exports of Bicol are etched into every corner of the complex in the form of the pili nut, gabi and sili — reflecting the colorful agricultural background of the province.

Robinsons Place Naga embraces its environment and has dug its roots into the soil, fully integrating into the Bicolano culture. As you walk by the al fresco area to enjoy Bicol’s delicacies, you’ll be mesmerized by a towering fiberglass structure, “The Tree of Life,” a 15-meter installation embossed with gabi leaves, by Filipino-American artist Jefré Manuel.

“The tree symbolizes a new beginning as the final evolution of the seed—after being planted and allowed to grow freely,” Jefré explains.

The tree form structure’s stark whiteness provides a blank canvas that lets the imagination run wild.

“We’re merely providing the seed for the (Bicol) community and we leave it in their capable hands to make it flourish,” he adds.

The Tree of Life is digitally mapped using state-of-the-art technology to present an artistic visual story that represent rebirth. A dance group will perform an interpretative dance routine that interacts with the images to create a story.

The fiberglass sculpture serves as a column supporting the mall with the resiliency characterized by the Bicolanos. Like the tree, each community is able to withstand hardships of life and personal growth. The Tree of Life is not just a display — it’s an experience.

Every day at dusk till closing, one of the five daily digital environments will play on the sculpture with the three-minute show at 7 p.m. and at closing.

Celebrate the love of art and new beginnings at The Tree of Life’s unveiling on Nov. 28, 6 p.m. at Robinsons Place Naga, Roxas Ave. corner Almeda Highway.

Featured performer is Karylle.

The three-minute show starts with an image of the planet earth spinning complemented with background music.

It zooms into earth water and then into the aquarium scene while dancers interact with the fish.

The whole projection then turns into a Christmas Tree with light bulbs popping up one by one until the end of the music.

The image transitions into a clock with sand filling it up. It shows dirt and soil gathering at the bottom of the sculpture.