Calling All Visual Artists! CCP'S LAUDABLE MOVE
Calling All Visual Artists! CCP'S LAUDABLE MOVE
By Cesare A.X. Syjuco
Published in: The Manila Times, June 17, 1987
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has always been the object of fierce criticism for as long as anyone can remember. Many artists still refuse to be seen there, crying “foul!” over alleged elitism, inter-community politicking and clique-ismess. In recent weeks, some of that dissatisfaction has even seen print.
Generations of CCP administrators have been burned in figurative effigy — and often for good reason. Artists have claimed discrimination and favoritism, with CCP overlords cultivating their own pampered broods. Certain artistic styles or schools of thought were said to be given preferential treatment, often to the detriment of the greater artistic community which was callously ignored. The late Ray Albano — otherwise the most competent curator of his day — was openly despised for his ambiguous policies. And those who took his place seemed to have been cloned from the same mold.
All this may soon become a thing of the past, particularly if CCP’s tight corps of professional administrators is to follow through on current initiatives to reform that notorious institution by the bay.
Letters dated last June 8 (Monday) have been dispatched in the mail, presumably addressed to as many local artists as possible. Announcing a new “Exhibition Grants Program” currently being undertaken by the Contemporary Art Museum of the Philippines (CAMP) — yet an ill-defined agency charged with the administration of all visual arts venues at the CCP — the official letter is signed by CAMP Coordinator Judy Freya Sibayan. She says in part that “the program opens our galleries to exhibition proposals for possible scheduling in our Calendar Year 1988.”
In short, the CCP (through CAMP) is inviting all artists to present their work for consideration by a still-undetermined body. If CAMP decides favorably on its merits, the work will be exhibited at CCP in a group or solo presentation sometime in 1988.
In principle, this is nothing new, since Filipino artists were always said to be welcome to approach CCP for a show. In practice, however, this is the first time to my knowledge that CCP (or any of its agencies) has openly invited everyone to participate in a formal program of selection.
We Filipinos very badly need to feel welcome. Otherwise, we would rather shy away altogether, with the more vocal among us airing their discontent in the private company of kindred spirits. An open invitation such as this is probably all that CCP needs to enlist the active participation and support of the silent majority.
It is important for us to remember that the so-called “CCP Mafia” of old ruled largely by default. By opting to abandon an active stance in the determination of CCP policies, the greater artistic community allowed an annointed few to have their way. Democracy, on the other hand, is a participatory process. For or against the current dispensation, we must all participate in the system to make it work. If democratic selection is ever to prevail at the CCP, we must explore all avenues of participation and influence made available to us. Otherwise, we virtually consent to the machinations of those in authority.
Of course, the CCP (through CAMP) must move heaven and earth to regain public confidence in both its capabilities and impartiality. The process of selection it employs must be consistently beyond reproach. Already, talk is rife that the enigmatic Ms. Sibayan — a one-time exhibiting artist from the U.P. who was also curator of an ill-fated art gallery at De La Salle University — still labors under the direct influence of the old avant-garde and the academe. In this case, it may be necessary for her to announce more than her good intentions. The artistic community is entitled to know about the organizational structure of CAMP, its guiding policies and inner workings, its affinities to other institutions and institutional influences, its method of deliberation. Her open invitation should be published in leading newspapers and magazines, and posted in art galleries throughout the country.
If you have not yet received your invitation from Ms. Sibayan, it would be a good idea to call the CCP Museum Office or CAMP for particulars. The telephone numbers are 832-11-25 to 39. You have only until the 31st of July to submit your proposals.
While you’re at it, you should also get yourself listed in the CCP roster of local artists. You will not only be included in future Artists’ Directories to be published by CAMP, you will likewise be kept abreast of any new developments. Remember always that massive concrete structure by the bay belongs to you, if to anyone at all.
ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY
Note: A “Directory of Artists” was published annually by the CCP Museum Office, and the names listed here comprise the directory’s last known edition published in October or November 1985. The late Raymundo Albano, CCP Museum Director for 14 years, passed away unexpectedly in August of 1985, and his successor, Nanon Padilla, had thus been in office for only two months when that said directory was published.
The names of illustrator Jose Tence Ruiz, painter Rock Drilon, and sculptress Agnes Arellano were added by Padilla to update the last published directory for the 10th CCP Annual for the Visual Arts. It is not known if said directory has been enlarged in the last 19 months; however, many deserving artists were still conspicuously absent from that list as of late 1985. Herewith are the names. — C. A. X. S.
Pacita Abad, Napoleon Abueva, Arnel Agawin, Virginia Flor Agbayani, Lee Aguinaldo, Augusto Albor, Gigi Javier-Alfonso, Dindo Angeles, Agnes Arellano, Angelito Antonio, Antonio Austria, Ces Avancena, Ivi Avellana Cosco, Virgilio Aviado, Armand Bacaltos, Teresa Balatbat, Huge Bartolome, Joe Bautista, Norma Belleza, Jose Blanco, Santiago Bose, Benjie Cabangis, Lex Cachapero, Henri Cangilet, Norberto Carating.
Fernando Catague, Roberto Chabet, Evelyn Collantes, Florencio Concepcion, Edwin Coscolluela, Allan Cosio, Rafael Cusi, Ginny Dandan, Danilo Dalena, Julie Dalena, Roderico Jose Daroy, Angelito David, Fil Delacruz, Ibarra de la Rosa, Ada Dacanay-de Leon, R. M. de Leon, Rolly de Leon, Teresita Francisco-Dichupa, Edgar Doctor, Jun Domingo, Rock Drilon, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Brenda Fajardo, Roberto Felo, Nonoy Ferrarez.
Danny Garcia, Elmer Gernale, Agustin Goy, Romeo Gutierrez, Bond de Guzman, Alejandrino G. Hufana, Raul Isidro, Nap Jamir II, Jose Joya, Junyee, Ang Kiukok, Cesar Legaspi, Lalo Liannen, Alfredo Liongoren, Arturo Luz, Johnny Manahan, Red Mansueto, Flora Mauleon, Godofredo Mendoza, Romulo Olazo, Nonon Padilla, Danilo Pangnan, Ricky Pangan, Mario Parial.
Raul Piedra, Rhoda Recto, Manuel (Boy) Rodriguez, Jr., Roberto Robles, Jose Tence Ruiz, Ephraim Samson, Mauro Malang Santos, Soler Santos, Steve Santos, Lino Severino, Dani Sibayan, Judy Freya Sibayan, Mahuel Soriano, Jacinto Sotto, Cesare Syjuco, Jean Marie Syjuco, Gerardo Tan, Claude Tayag, Eva Toledo, Roy Veneracion, Aca Verzosa, Nestor Olarte Vinluan, Robert Villanueva, Perdigon Navarro Vocalan, Cristy Yap, Phyllis Zaballero.
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Cesare A.X. Syjuco, “Calling All Visual Artists! CCP'S LAUDABLE MOVE” (page 1 of 1), The Manila Times, June 17, 1987
