One of the nearest strip mall in Mandaluyong is the EDSA Central Mall. Stores inside were arranged in rows. Outside the mall, the pedestrians and commuters used a walkway surrounding the mall. It was primarily developed in preparation for the future projects of Greenfield Development Corporation to integrate shopping amenities to their residential condominiums. The EDSA Central Mall is parallel to a market. I can say that the style of the Structure is Modern. Its architectural features are elaborated in order for the structure to stand out competing malls. Its style was chosen in order to blend into the neighborhood that was being erected as of the moment. Parts of the mall were corporate offices used by Call Center companies located on the second floor of the building. I can say that the functions of the building are strategic but they failed on the location of the structure is an epic fail. It was surrounded by three big malls: the Shang-ri La Plaza, StarMall and the SM Megamall.
Friday 26 August 2011
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.
The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace
EDSA is one of the busiest highways in the Philippines
Why is it built in the first place?
The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace was erected to serve as a remembrance to the peaceful revolution to oppose the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. It was conceived through the thoughts of His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin a couple of days after the dictator fled to Hawaii
What are the purposes of the EDSA Shrine?
The main purpose of the EDSA shrine is to commemorate the four peaceful day of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. It was then serves as the stage where our countrymen gathered to seek freedom from the corrupt government ran by President Joseph Ejercito-Estrada in 2001, thus, born the EDSA Dos. After another peaceful revolution won by our countrymen, the Shrine served as the place where Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took oath as the 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines replacing President Estrada.
Why does it stood at EDSA-Ortigas?
It was taught to Cardinal Sin that the intersection is where brave nuns, young men and women stood against tanks of the Army. They also offered soldiers flowers.
What is the catalyst that made Cardinal Sin thought of erecting the shrine?
Two billboards. Plain and simple. What made it amazing is the message in the billboards which reads, “The family that prays together, stays together.” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” and the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It can’t be denied to the mind of a priest that, that coincidence shows the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the peaceful revolution.
How is it possible for the Catholic Church to have the Shrine erected on that spot?
It was His Eminence who approached the owner of the lot, the Ortigas and the Gokongwei to ask them to donate the lot to the Church.
Who designed the Shrine?
The shrine was primarily designed by Architect Francisco Manosa in collaboration with the National Artist Awardee Architect Leandro Locsin and Architect William Coscolluela.
What are the features of the Shrine?
Architect Francisco Manosa designed the Shrine to commemorate the joyous and successful eventsafter the 1986 EDSA Revolution. The shrine is facing the open streets of EDSA and Ortigas. On the top of the Shrine stood the 35 foot bronze and Brass statue of the Our Lady of Peace also known or most commonly known as the Our Lady of EDSA.
Who designed the sculpture atop the EDSA Shrine?
The sculpture was designed by the late Artist-sculptor Virginia
Are there any controversies that revolve around the structure?
Although it is quite positively receive by ordinary Filipinos a critic (Rodolfo Paraz-Perez) said that it is a breach of public trust and ecclesiastical norm was committed when she injected her personal iconography. The critic said that any artist could display his or her works on a gallery which is a part of self-expression. We can choose to see it; it’s freedom of choice. On his views, it’s a violation to the public’s freedom of choice. He also stated that the public has no choice but to put up with a public sculpture. The people’s consent according to him is best shown on its excellence and on the expected outcome. When these are not present, both our consent and contract between artist and audience is violated.
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.
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