The sound of rain, cars as metaphors, and abstract art in one exhibit

‘The Speed of Abstract’ presents the works of Marco Ortiga, Julius Sanvictores and Mike Sagaran, opening on March 1 and running till March 15 at ARTablado Robinsons Galleria

 Words Pocholo Concepcion

In 2020, when life stood still due to Covid-19, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) bravely opened ARTablado — a portmanteau of art and entablado (stage) — an exhibit hall at Robinsons Galleria to give new visual artists an opportunity to show their works in public. Two years later, ARTablado opened a second gallery at Robinsons Antipolo.

Since then, ARTablado has hosted art exhibitions for over 300 artists. 

The latest to be given the privilege are Marco Ortiga, Julius Sanvictores, and Mike Sagaran in “The Speed of Abstract,” a three-man show that opens on March 1 and runs till March 15 at ARTablado Robinsons Galleria.

Show curator Igan D’Bayan describes the artists and their respective works:

“Sanvictores improvises with form, color, and space to create a trio, quartet or quintet of shapes and strokes bebopping across the canvas. His art invites viewers to engage with the intangible and the unknown, taking them to a field of ‘Luminous Clouds’ and ‘Midnight Dreams.’ 

“Ortiga is obsessed with mechanical systems, creating everything from a tabletop sound instrument to a contraption of 50 custom-built rain sticks to recreate the sound of rain. He also makes kaleidoscopes and drawing machines. He perceives art as something that should transcend stasis and is to be imbued with perpetual change and energy. His “Harmonograph” sound-interactive installation shows a mechanical contraption having a co-equal share in the agency of making art. 

“Sagaran considers the form and contours of vehicles, interpreting vehicles as diverse as commercially available Rolls Royce Phantoms and Jaguars, to reimagined Batmobiles of the DC universe and a Mini Cooper from ‘The Italian Job.’ In one of his recent exhibits, he regarded automobiles as metaphors that will allow us to ‘move forward’ — past the grimness and uncertainties during the pandemic. And that is how the three artists pursue their own muses — with the speed of abstract and the irrepressible swiftness of the conceptual.”

Art+ had an online chat with Sanvictores, who incidentally plays drums with the band Black Vomits, whose bassist happens to be D’Bayan.

Many people turned to painting during the pandemic. What about in your case, and what was the process like? 

For many people, it was a way to cope with stress, anxiety, and fear due to the pandemic. It was also a time to explore their creativity while spending more time at home. 

In my case, I had to adjust to the transition from showing artworks to an audience in a shared physical space, to adapting to virtual remote formats due to health and safety concerns. The transition to virtual exhibits posed challenges but also helped artists find alternative ways to show their work online through digital platforms and social media channels. 

With more time spent indoors, I found painting as a constructive way for my creative expression in solitude and quietude. 

Were you partial to a particular style at the start, and how did you develop your own later?

Discovering my personal style is a journey that evolves over time through practice, experimentation, and engaging in various techniques and influences. The process of exploring by incorporating elements from different works helped me develop a unique artistic style that reflects my personality, experiences, imagination, and vision. I also find inspiration in the work of other artists, nature, music, films, and everyday life. 

What’s your biggest motivation to paint?

It helps me communicate thoughts and feelings that I might not otherwise be able to express. It allows me to explore my emotions, inner thoughts, and experiences in a visual medium. Painting serves as a form of self-expression and creativity. Creating something beautiful and meaningful can bring a sense of accomplishment in seeing my ideas come to life on the canvas. 

It’s also a way to invite viewers to connect with the artwork on an emotional level. Abstract compositions can stimulate the imagination, communicate ideas, and explore concepts. Painting can also be a therapeutic outlet for stress relief and emotional healing. 

 Hopefully viewers can explore new ways of seeing and understanding the world around them through art. 

 What has painting done to your personal life?

 Painting has helped me become more creative in approaching things and in viewing different aspects of my life. By stimulating my imagination, it encouraged me to think outside the box. Art helped me to be aware and to be open to new creative thinking. I was able to convey my thoughts and experiences in a non-representational manner. Through abstract compositions, artists communicate ideas and explore different concepts.

 Abstract art encourages freedom of expression and experimentation, to take risks, and explore new creative ways of painting.