Spektrum of a Single Hue
Spektrum of a Single Hue
By Cesare A.X. Syjuco
Published in: The Manila Times, August 09, 1986
AS though one Ibarra were not nearly enough, the current group exhibition at the Gallerie Bleue in Rustan’s Makati features an entire Spektrum (sic) of them. And on its 13th outing at that.
Featuring clones and pseudo-clones of that wild man from Sta. Cruz, Manila, half of the exhibited works look as if they could have been painted by Ibarra himself, while others are paintings and drawings by Ibarra’s own relatives. This is vanity at the expense of the poor viewer who, climbing six flights of mechanical stairs in the hope of seeing an exhibition of some integrity and worth, becomes an unwitting guest at some cultists’ periodic blood-letting. Thirteen shows is a long time to be getting away with this sort of thing.
Crime does pay. And Ibarra dela Rosa’s continuing Spektrum caper is living proof of that. Providence spare us from more of the same.
Some traditions are better put to sleep.
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Cesare A.X. Syjuco, “Spectrum of a Single Hue” (page 1 of 1), The Manila Times, August 09, 1986
