Entrance to the Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis Exhibition
“If we study Japanese art, we see a man who is undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what? He studies a single blade of grass.” – Vincent Van Gogh
The launch of the recently concluded Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis at Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) gave Iloilo City’s art lovers a glimpse of Japanese ceramic history through its different periods!
Festive Walk Iloilo Deputy GM Jennevieve Alonzaga; NCCA Chairman Victorino Manalo; DOT VI Regional Director Krisma Rodriguez; ILOMOCA Museum Director Maricel Montero; The Japan Foundation Manila Executive Director Ben Suzuki; and Executive Assistant to The Mayor Jay Trenas snip the ceremonial ribbon for the opening of Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis Exhibition.
The toast to success!
Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis was part of the Japan Foundation’s artistic and cultural exchanges. A travelling exhibition, it focuses on a ceramic technique firing unglazed wares at high temperature, yes, called yakishime. Some wares on display date back to 8th to 12 centuries! They included tea wares, cuisine wares and objects d’art!
Yours truly, writer Prof. Alice Magos, Ilonggo artist Alan Cabalfin, Meloy Mabunay and art writer/critic Ted Aldwin Ong at the Opening Night.
Kristine Treñas, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Jay Treñas, Mayor Adi Lazaro of Pototan, Iloilo, Lovely, Melvin Mathias Dominado and Megaworld Museums Philanthropy Head Admore Alzate.
Ilonggo artist and pottery specialist Alan Cabalfin giving guests a guided tour of Yakishime.
No less than its Executive Director BEN SUZUKI jetted in to be the guest of honor. On behalf of Japan Foundation Manila, he turned over a donation of vitrines (acrylic glass covers) to ILOMOCA in the presence of Museum Director MARICEL MONTERO, Museum Manager JP LIBO-ON-TOLENTINO, Megaworld Museums Philanthropy Head ADMORE ALZATE, Megaworld Museums Administrator CRISTAL ESGUERRA, and MICE Alliance Chair NATALIE LIM.
Art lovers move around the Gallery.
Regional tourism advocates Phoebe Zelie C. Areño, DOT Regional Director Krisma Rodriguez, artist-educator-trainor Mae Tamayo-Panes and art writer/critic Ted Aldwin Ong.
JPM Executive Director Ben Suzuki explains Yakishime art to guests.
Also present at the launch cum opening were NCCA Chairman VICTORINO “Ino” MANALO, RFO Group Representative MIKE MORANCIL; Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo Marketing GEORGIA FLORES; and Megaworld Museums Administrator CRISTAL ESGUERRA. (Some photos were courtesy of Prometheus)
