Poleteismo

Weeks ago, a circulating news seriously made an impact to the world of art as a form of self-expression. From newspapers to radio stations and to major news organizations, an exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines landed on their headlines.

Many say that the exhibit is a blasphemous. Some might say that it's just a form of self-expression. But what could be a form of art became a national issue since the media started circulating the news. It was followed by an investigation done by the senate where the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the Board of directors of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Senators headed by senator Edgardo Angara. The artist Mideo Cruz did not appear on the said hearing.

What I want to do is to examine the details revolving the controversial exhibit piece by piece.

The Artist

Mideo Cruz is a former student of the University of Sto. Tomas, which we all know that it is a Catholic school. He is in fact well known abroad and locally. He opened exhibits in countries like Switzerland, Italy and the United States. He received awards such the Ateneo Art Awards in 2007 and CCP 13 artists awards in 2003.

The Exhibit

The controversial exhibit is called "Poleteismo". It is made up of three walls covered by different images and papers such as calendar, bust tickets, school certificates, pictures, campaign posters, postcards, ads and other printed material. It was just the Holy Family's image that was displayed in the exhibit but also present and future's icons.

The Artist's interpretation to his art

This is just a quote from an interview to Mideo Cruz posted on TV5's website, “This is how I see the Filipino way of life — colorful, varied, full of conflicting beliefs and values. Can’t you just see these same images pasted on the walls of houses in the urban poor communities? And Filipino society, its racked with economic and political turmoil, and then there’s religion which frequently involves itself in the entire conglomeration of issues and developments,”

My Stand

After the commotion brought by this work of art, I can say that I stand firm and believe that every artist has the right to express his or her self. The main purpose of art is to extend how the artist is feeling through his or her works to the audience. Arts are usually misinterpreted. Weather this work of art is blasphemous or not, it’s in the eyes and mind of the audience. I don’t think that the government should not spend time and money and issues like this. The country is democratic, we have the rights to express our thought. If I’m the artist, I’ll just let all the issues cool down. Filipinos will learn to get over it eventually.

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Other works of art present at the Shrine:

A sculpture made by Manny Casal called “Flame of Freedom” which showcases three men carrying a cauldron of flame on their shoulders which represents the three major islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 14 Stations of the Cross can be found at the plaza sculpted in bronze by the National Artist Napoleon Abueva. The main altar was lit by the skylight which is diffused by a stained glass ceiling designed by Artist Eduardo Castrillo. A glass sculpture of the Risen Christ can be seen inside the main chapel and was created by Ramon Orlina. Murals of the four day peaceful revolution was also present by fifteen artists from Angono, Rizal led by Nemi Miranda. Ben Alano depicted a mural showcasing San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila’s life.

REACTION:

The unity of Filipinos is tried and tested by history. It always prevails. The shrine which was supposedly used only as a structure for commemorating the peaceful EDSA Revolution is a standing work of art from the ground through its apex. It was made possible through the divine guidance of our Lord and the efforts of the Filipino Catholic Church, the Architects’, the Sculptors’, and the Painters’. This is a proof that with combined efforts, not just a structure could be erected but also a standing work of Art. I believe that this entirely fits one of the purposes of Architecture as an Art and as a necessity. Although some might criticize it, the Marian faith of the Filipinos is strong that’s why it was well received by the public. Even though it stands side by side to different malls, monuments and recreational areas, it stands out because it is the symbol of our faith. It was a proof to the whole world that when Filipinos unite, we can achieve wonderful outcomes this resulted to the erection of this structure. Who would thought that Filipinos’ burning hunger for justice could result a work of art like no other.