Ten contemporary visual artists from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are coming together for a group exhibition happening at three museums in the Philippines.
The exhibit, entitled Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia, marks the conclusion of the commemoration of the ASEAN’s 50th anniversary. It is curated by noted art historian and recently appointed artistic director of Singapore Biennale 2019 Patrick D. Flores.
Ties of History will be held simultaneously at three major art institutions in the Philippines: the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MET Manila), the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum, and the Yuchengco Museum from August 8 to October 6.
Featured artists for the exhibition will gather in Manila to open the show on August 8 at MET Manila, August 9 at Yuchengco Museum, and August 10 at Vargas Museum, with a series of programs for each venue.
The artists who will showcase their works in the country include Amanda Heng (Singapore), Roberto Feleo (Philippines), Anusapati (Indonesia), Do Hoang Tuong (Vietnam), Savanhdary Vongpoothorn (Laos), Chris Chong Chan Fui (Malaysia), Jedsada Tangtrakulwong (Thailand), Min Thein Sung (Myanmar), Vuth Lyno (Cambodia), and Yasmin Jaidin (Brunei).
The representative of each member state was selected by a network of practitioners in contemporary art in the region.
Ties of History is a survey of contemporary art on the one hand and a diligent study of a particular practice on the other. The project selects three works of each artist to be exhibited in three institutions. This enables the exhibition to present a more in-depth look into the interests of the artist, and allows the audience from different parts of the city to view the exhibition.
“This undertaking…draws attention to the thoughtful and sensitive process of artistic transformation and maturity, and tries to avoid the tendency of survey exhibitions to merely select the most popular or the most accessible,” says Flores.
He adds, “It also reminds us that artistic practice is not fully formed but rather gleaned in the condition of constant forming. It is this constant forming that the project endeavors to curate.”
NCCA Chairman Virgilio S. Almario agrees, saying that “there is much to gain in gathering the talents of the region in order to view not only their works but to also reflect on the realities each of them respond to.”
“Ties of history” is a phrase taken from a document signed by ASEAN’s founding members on August 8, 1967. The document describes “a region already bound together by ties of history and culture.” A region that is “conscious that in an increasingly interdependent world, the cherished ideals of peace, freedom, social justice, and economic well-being are best attained by fostering good understanding, good neighborliness, and meaningful cooperation among the countries of the region.”
