HIGH-RISE BLUES

Cities that are deprived of vast land areas have no way to expand but vertically. This means that dwellings are constructed like boxes piled one on top of the other and sometimes reach up to seventy floors or more. In each level, where the common access is provided for by lifts, the sociofugal design of a cluster of flats or apartment units discourage social interaction. Each family is to its own.

Children that were born or have grown up in this reality are hungry for the wide lawns to run around and stairs to climb up and down. These were the complaints of my kids and whenever they visit the province the experience to stay in a split-level bungalow makes a strong impression on them.

Another dilemma is, the lower the flat level the noisier and more crowded the surrounding environment but the rent is cheap. In contrast, the higher the flat level is the better the panorama when one looks out of the window but here the rent is high.

If you're lucky you will have the clear view of those distant mountains and the clear blue sky. Or in another bedroom window, the panoramic view of the sea gives a soothing relief after one busy office day. But once you're unlucky to fall prey to property agents that rip you off and give you a flat in one crowded estate the only window view that you will get is just a slice of the sky, where sunlight finds its way through those concrete canyons to dry your laundry hanging in the living room window. (Joel E. Ferraris)

PRY, BUZZ, SEE (privacy)

The advent of cellular phones, computers and all those digital gadgets allowed people to communicate more and to be easily connected. To be abreast with what's going on all around the world means digging into a mine full of information through the Internet. And nowadays it is easy to get things done so fast or do business with ease right in the very comforts of homes, offices or any place as long as the laptop, cellular phones and other gizmos are within reach.

Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve it is a fact that people value their privacy the reason why there are separate bedrooms or separate toilet cubicles and a very sensitive way of using clothing. Even our private lives, our inner thoughts and sensitive feelings are very much valued.

But what is surprising now is to see how individuals, so engrossed in phone conversations right in the middle of a crowded place using their latest model cell phones, could carelessly burst their bubble called privacy and allow it to overlap and blend with the other people's bubble.

Aside from surveillance cameras conspicuously situated who-knows-where that act like an all-seeing eye, the solitary situation of a person in front of his computer in a closed room cannot escape the naughty eyes of hackers, intruders and their Trojan horses.

The availability of products of advanced technology allows people to intrude, to spread news or rumors and to become witness to some truths, half-truths and all kinds of lies sometimes. But, like a boomerang that flies back to its thrower, these acts we do could someday make us become unwary sitting ducks.

Come to think of it, this move by people to watch every move of their fellowmen will not be a burden at all on one's privacy if each person walks in the path of righteousness demanded by an all-seeing and all-knowing God. People that live in truth, in honesty, and integrity are trustworthy because they know fully well God the Father Almighty's commandments that teach man to be righteous. And He watches and knows everything.


This wall installation, using (surprisingly unused) plastic bubbles that I bought from a junk shop near my studio situated in an industrial area in Hong Kong, attempts to present a picture of how the digital technology has connected people in the whole world today. By using colored strings the viewers are able to visualize the busy connections and hotspots once they are all online. (Joel E. Ferraris)

DIGITAL DREAMS in different versions

When someone asked me why I gave this title to this series of new works I jokingly replied with a question, "Are our dreams digital or analog?" This is in reference to the flood of new and more advanced digital video and cameras and the gradual disappearance of analog devices.

Actually, the title is meant to fit the image it represents. In this age of everything turning digital it is surprising to discover that for the last five years that I have bought CDs, VCDs and now DVDs the design of their case has evolved. The change was so fast that older designs are not available in the market nowadays.

In utilizing these old CD/VCD/DVD cases collections plus recycling those old, broken ones I tried to preserve them by turning them into works of art. By exposing their designs and shapes and by enhancing them with textures and colors they are unrecognizable at first glance. But the addition of real CDs of different colors one will realize they once existed.

In the years to come, especially now that the problem of overflowing rubbish and landfill management become headaches especially in big cities, surely these once junk pieces now somehow serve as archeological finds long before their time of discovery comes.

FREE FLOW: going with the flow

KOA ART GALLERY floor plan

There were 12 artworks in FREE FLOW exhibition some of which were sets of several artpieces combined. They were as follows:

1. DIGITAL DREAMS (v2)
2. DIGITAL DREAMS (V4)
3. PRY, BUZZ, SEE
4. HIGH-RISE BLUES
5. MANICURED CANYONS AND THE HOWLING WINDS OF HOMESICKNESS
6. STORIES IN STOREYS
7. HIGH-RISE, HIGH PRICE
8. ASIAN MOUSETRAP
9. JOB VACANCY
10. ONE COOL MORNING IN BORACAY
11. MORNING PAPER
12. TWO LANDSCAPES, TWO CHILDHOODS

The viewers were surprised to see the diversity of the artworks that were presented in different styles and mediums. I intended to do it this way so as to best express my ideas about certain issues affecting my life as an artist. Besides, FREE FLOW suggests more freedom and flexibility in achieving ones goal in life and this belief is best articulated in my Artist's Statement.

This whole exhibition seems to tell a story by the manner that these art pieces were hung on the walls. Considering the fact that I haven't had an ocular inspection of the exhibition venue, which is several thousands of miles away, prior to the exhibition, I did not really have a final plan what to bring here in my first North American solo art exhibition. I just tried to be true to its title FREE FLOW and let the whole project unfold like a mystery by itself, doing each and every artpiece for several months one at a time in between my jobs. But as the exhibition preparation progresses I tried to adjust to the given situation as dictated by and relative to the exhibition venue. It turned out that the outcome of how they were arranged in sequence gave me an idea on how to view them collectively or individually.

The artpieces right on the entrance of this gallery say something about the digital age (DIGITAL DREAMS) now and how we are connected worldwide (PRY, BUZZ, SEE) . This reality brings us to the fact that the more advanced a society is the more advantage or disadvantage (HIGH RISE BLUES) we have from the rest in this race called survival of the fittest.

But as we go into the main gallery section we will have a chance to feel how it is to live in the midst of a very modern and advance city where the density in population means that skyscrapers are needed not only to accommodate the flood of foreign workers but also to energize the property market and where the pace of life is very fast. Imagine now that you are inside your flat on the 25th floor in Hong Kong.

Now try to look out of those three large windows and you will see a panorama of the city skyline. MANICURED CANYONS AND THE HOWLING WINDS OF HOMESICKNESS will bring right in front of our eyes the view of a city like Hong Kong or any other world city. Viewed from a perfect distance, depending on the clarity of your vision, you will have a clear view of the high-rise structures in different colors.

As you move to the next artwork, imagine this time that you got hold of your son's telescope and you zoomed-in a bit towards those distant buildings. STORIES IN STOREYS will reveal the possible sights that you will see as you try to look for stars at night but happen to see your neighbors' windows instead.

Zoom a little bit farther now, or better yet use an x-ray telescope/camera, and HIGH RISE HIGH PRICE will attempt to reveal the reality that one small flat in this city is not enough to accommodate all your family's belongings. How much more if your kids start to grow up each day? How many of these things you have accumulated for years are you going to throw away?

ASIAN MOUSETRAP is just like doing the daily chores of tidying-up the house and returning all your kids' toys into their boxes. And that is everyday!

Ah, yes…your kids. This time you think about how to care for them, how to raise them up in this city and how to prepare them for the world. How about those threats to their moral values? And how about those terrorist threats that target civilians like us and become victims who-knows-when? How will you be able to prepare them for that? JOB VACANCY, the series, will encourage you and show you how. It will make you think twice and question your existence and why are you here joining the rat-race in this big city.

Maybe your small, expensive flat is not the right place for contemplation even if you started to pray each night for your own salvation and your kids' future and well-being. So maybe that ONE COOL MORNING IN BORACAY will enable you to have a more relaxed and suitable place for reflection and contemplation.

Once you find solace in this place and become rejuvenated mentally, physically, psychologically and most of all spiritually you are strong enough to face reality as you read the daily news in the MORNING PAPER.

After reading the paper and accepting reality you are somehow much equipped now to return to the city and a lot bolder to face the future ready to accept the realities of TWO LANDSCAPES, TWO CHILDHOODS.

And as you go out of this gallery, passing by the rest of the other artpieces depicting the digital age that you first saw when you entered this gallery, you are probably in a hurry to go back to work to read your emails.

Thanks a lot for viewing this exhibition…


JOEL EUGENIO EPISTOLA FERRARIS

Hong Kong-based Filipino Artist

ferrarisart.com

FREE FLOW: the gallery talk

I was introduced to the public during the art talk attended by students, the faculty, the university president, and the people of Pittsburgh by Mr. Jeffrey C. Guterman, Associate Professor of Communications.

I also had a chat with the university president during the opening receptions right after the gallery art talk. He thanked me for an excellent performance and exhibition. There was an absence of the usual ribbon cutting. Instead the exhibition opened with an art talk and some guests and viewers came to the gallery even before the gallery talk. One Jewish professor and a Filipina professor gave me positive comments.

At the start I felt a slight tinge of nervousness only to disappear right away when my turn to talk started. That nervousness was replaced by confidence. I started by giving thanks to our God the Father Almighty for bringing me safely there and making the whole event possible.

In my mind, had something unfavorable happened, had some kind of racial profiling occurred in the US immigration especially because I was bemoustached and sporting a long hair, or had all the preparations gone awry then nothing like that moment in front of those curious audiences, with their pink cheeks in the Bradford winter adding color to the dimly-lit room, would have ever happened. (BTW, back in Hong Kong my wife Sally was rushed by ambulance to the hospital due to back pains that caused her to have difficulty standing. But later, all was well and good)

As the talk progressed I shared about our humble beginnings as family of artists in Iloilo and that our province is so beautiful and interesting. Mr Guterman mentioned that I traveled more than 7,000 miles to setup the show and I replied that I live in a country consisted of more than 7,000 islands depending on the tide.

I mentioned a bit of history about Iloilo starting with a painting of BARTER OF PANAY which I won second prize at the Marikudo Country Club competition in the late 70s in Iloilo City, Philippines and where Eddie Ilarde, Minister Duavit and Artist Jose Blanco were the judges.

In the middle of the talk I mentioned about Gawad Kalinga and how these constructive efforts to somehow bring peace in Mindannao benefitted a Muslim slum area where Christians and Muslims alike all worked side-by-side to build homes for the poor. At the back of my mind I had the threat of global terrorism victimizing not only Americans but also Filipinos especially because Mindanao was declared by Bush as the next battle front.

I did hope that in my small way I was able to contribute in international understanding and in making people realise the hardships of foreign workers forced to work abroad just to make sure their families survive back home.

FREE FLOW exhibition venue

That was my first time to see that place in Pennsylvania. KOA Art Gallery is situated in this building. Blaisdell Hall also serves as an arts and cultural center for this community in North America. The nearby surrounding landscapes suggest that this is a place away from the irritants caused by pollution and noise of a crowded urban area. I miss this place and how I wish I could go back there once more. And that time would be to introduce a lot of my new works.

THE NIGHT BEFORE the opening

The winter snow has begun to release its chilly winds but that night prior to the opening day I got the chance to have my last peep at the exhibition gallery. How excited I was to see the exhibition setup thoughtfully arranged and made more dramatic by those directional gallery lights. These two views of the gallery are seen from the parking lot outside and was surely attractive during the evenings while the lights were still on.

FREE FLOW exhibition materials

It was a good thing that the university provided the right promo and exhibition materilas. Other help from friends has brought awareness about the exhibition to a wider viewership.

Links:

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford,

Filglobe.com

Philippine Arts Festival Hong Kong SAR

KOA ART GALLERY

KOA Art Gallery is in Blaisdell Hall, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford • 300 Campus Drive • Bradford, PA, USA.

ANCHORED IN FAITH

In 2005 I received an invitation to have a solo exhibition in North America. The invitation letter from the University of Pittsburgh in Bradford, Pennsylvania was a welcome sight and I was so happy about it.

I felt proud to be part in the Spectrum Series program of the University of Pittsburgh in Bradford – the first Filipino invited to the prestigious multicultural and multinational event showcasing award-winning musicians and artists to well-known poets and photographers.

To me these kinds of opportunity knock only once in a lifetime. But in my case this is the second time. The first was the invitation for a solo show at Shaw College, Chinese University of Hong Kong, in 2002. That first solo art exhibition I had, titled BAGGAGE, was a dream come true in my career as an artist.

Although I was very happy for the US show, a silent hesitation clouded that sunshine in my mind. There were many things to consider. Among the most important are the body of works to be included in the exhibition, the time element needed for the preparation and completion of these artpieces and on top of these is the funding. I also became more concerned that, as a family man, I need to complete the commercial project of my own company before concentrating on the preparations for the exhibition so that I will have enough budget for my family and my trip.

All the above concerns are nothing compared to the most important requirement for the trip - the US Visa. This document, or its absence, could either make or break the whole project. I have not applied for one in my entire life simply because I have no plans of going to the US. Europe attracts me the most because of its art and history.

Anyhow, after resorting to the most important key in facing these kinds of predicament, everything went smooth-sailing. After sincerely praying to God the Father Almighty for help I waited for His answer while continuing my works to finish all the artpieces that I planned to bring.

Truly, everything was put in place in His own perfect time. Even my feelings as a father and husband leaving my family behind for a month was given reassurance. This was the reason why I have chosen the title FREE FLOW in my exhibition.

FREE FLOW is not just the exhibition itself in that excellent venue. It is the whole process not only from the very beginning of the preparations to the conclusion of the exhibition but from how I started my life as an artist and goes beyond towards the future in the succeeding chapters of my life and how it will be molded.

As a realization, I see that art is just a tool for spiritual as well as material survival. The talent could be used to earn a living. Most importantly, art should and must never be worshipped or given priority above life and most of all above spirituality. Art is just a tool for true spirituality to facilitate enlightenment but must never be abused as objects for idolatry and spiritual blindness.

To live a free flowing life is to glide in the wind of God the Father Almighty's statutes, like a bird resting in the caring hands of God the Father Almighty, and not forcing oneself against His will just because of selfish ambitions. The goodness of the messages that art wishes to convey must never be held captive and inutile within these visual tools only but has to be reflected and manifest itself in the lives of artists themselves.

Art must not be kept sterile and allowed to be reduced as a medium to express discontent or depict misery but has to be elevated as a vital tool in changing the artist themselves morally and spiritually for the better. In this way an artist's life could be free flowing as it is released from captivity to sin.

FREE FLOW

Artist's Statement

My life as an artist, constantly energized by ideas and inspirations, continuously flows freely like water until it reaches a point of equilibrium. This roller-coaster journey of success and failures, of frustrations and rewards go on every time fresh ideas are in mind.

This particular exhibition, my first time in North America, is just one stage of that journey. The setting of the theme for this exhibition this time is any densely-populated city, Hong Kong to be specific, of the first world where material wealth and opportunities pulsate to give fuel to the fast-paced life alongside stories of depression, deprivation and doom.

I feel a mixture of elation and lamentation every time I see a lot of rubbish as a result of the culture of abundance, materialism and consumerism… or the break-up of families as a result of success in careers resulting in the decline of morality targeting most especially the young. But on top of that I am saddened by the fact that people, in their almost mindless pursuit of their dreams, forget about the spiritual as well as moral guidelines that God the Almighty Father has prepared for us when He created us.

To me, a free flowing life means to be guided by the Divine Light and to swim into that life-giving water in which one is able to gently hurdle or evade life's many obstacles while maintaining a certain balance in one's career, family life, social responsibilities and most of all moral and spiritual obligations.

This exhibition not only aims to present several of my new art pieces and innovations in various media but also to provoke discussions and thoughts on the materials and techniques used and most importantly on the subjects and themes that they try to present. Moreover this combination of a few old works and new ones aims to encourage artists to re-examine their role in the quest for the common good.