How OBRA 14 brings us back to our cultural roots

Showcasing a timeline of contemporary art, the Visual & Performing Arts Production Unit (VPAPU) opened their 14th annual art exhibit, this year titled “OBRA 14: ARTIKULO XIV. Kultura ng Sining” at the Alumni Multi-purpose Hall Conference B from March 12 to 14. With the exhibit aiming to promote greater appreciation for visual arts, majority of the pieces in the exhibit contained elements presenting a transition from the forgotten past to the contemporaries in cultural contexts.

Treading creativity through nostalgia

The interiors of the venue itself pulls exhibit-goers to the past, with the gallery wood-laden matched with warm lighting, an ode to the days of sepia. The middle is a historically adorned area, with propped up frames that resemble old houses and situated seats for visitors to satisfy their selfie needs. The exhibit is rich with visuals enough to keep your eyes busy, but the stars of the show are the various pieces of art that the wooded walls held, ranging from pop art, digital art, street art, installation art, and more.

The contributors for the gallery are the VPAPU members themselves, their alumni, and other Lasallian creatives showcasing Philippines’ progressive cultural arts. In that regard, each painting and illustration is reminiscent of bygone traditions that the progression of time continually replaces.

“Ang gusto naming maparating (sa visitors) is ‘yung progression ng culture ng Pilipinas. Pinapakita namin ‘yung timeline ng culture ng Pilipinas in the way na ‘yung kultura noon is mixed with ngayon,” Mitzi Herrera, the gallery manager of OBRA 14 said, detailing the sad reality that some past traditions are being forgotten, but VPAPU want these overlooked cultures to be recollected by visitors of the exhibit.

Each piece also varies stylistically. From portraiture to impressionism to pop art and more, pacing through the gallery would surely satisfy the senses and the mind to be awed by works that artists spent their passion and time with. Adding to that are the small details of the event, like the old-fashioned background music—making a fulfilling and cultural experience for visitors.

“Parang kadugtong nito (OBRA) ‘yung Sinayaw (LSFDC) which is cultural din so para sa akin complete package siya,” Katren Aguilar, a visitor in the art gallery from BOM44 expressed, alluding how the art gallery also call for Filipino citizens to unite as one for a creative cause.

An art show for a greater good

The exhibit did not only shine the spotlight to artistic works, it also directly benefited the selected students of Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle situated in Bagac, Bataan. VPAPU seeks to help provide education for students in Bataam with the funds they collected from the exhibit. “The feeling na makatulong ka is overwhelming in an indirect way kasi kahit na maliit na bagay kapag nakatulong ka, malaking bagay na ‘yon sa iba,” Aguilar stated.

***

The exhibit strives to give the audience a grasp on the significance of traditional art in our day and age—as it slowly gets shadowed by modernity pushed forth by ruthless time and technology.

Arts have come a long way, but it never loses its strong ties with history. Exhibits like OBRA that pay retrospective tribute to the old and gold play a huge role in holding on to our roots. The past holds a creative landscape from which we flourished—after all, we owe the current wealth of our arts in history.

 

OBRA Artikulo XIV: Kultura ng Sining has its last exhibit day until today, March 14, with tickets at 25 PHP each.