JUXTA:POSITION

JUXTA:POSITION

JUXTA:POSITION is an exhibition that showcases an outstanding collection of traditional Cordillera tribal pieces displayed side-by-side artworks from 20th and 21st century Filpino abstract master artists.

The exhibit’s title, a clear play on word juxtaposition—“the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect”—is a result of the playful eye of Swiss lawyer Martin Kurer, who, during his over two decades stay in the country, amassed the collection of works—all under the aegis of AsianArt:Future (AA:F) of which he is Chair—that comprise the show.

JUXTA:POSITION, where exquisite bululs, kinahu (bowls), and boxes stand proudly alongside pieces by such revered names as Cesar Legaspi, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Fernando Zobel, Cesar Legaspi, Arturo Luz, Lao Lianben, and Augusto “Gus“ Albor. 

One may ask: what’s the connection between these seemingly disparate art pieces? 

„Aesthetics of reduction!,“ Kurer points out.

Simply put, this refers to presenting an aesthetic vocabulary that makes use of the same principles, in different times, from a very different cultural background.

Even simpler: it’s about finding commonalities—in form, texture, shape, and perhaps even technique—between artisans and artworks from totally different eras and motivations.

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JUXTA:POSITION is a digital repeat of the exhibition which ran from February 16 to March 2, at 1335Mabini in Karrivin Plaza, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.