Ateneo Art Gallery in Areté goes beyond installing artworks within the confines of the halls. It displays paintings, sculptures, and playful collections in the corridors, hallways, and even the stairs are works of art!
The following photos are taken in Ateneo Art Gallery in Areté.
Unblocked by Juan Alcarazen. The ground floor staircase intrigued me instantaneously upon seeing the words.
Seemingly random in its staggered placement, Juan Alcarazen’s Unblocked uses metal die-cut words intentionally scattered across the tiled staircases of Areté to literally and figuratively place its viewers in the creative process. Beginning on the ground floor staircase, the viewer is invited to take part in this encounter by abandoning any and all inhibitions as one prepares to wander through the galleries, theaters, classrooms, studios, and other creative spaces. One plays witness to the development of an idea, accompanied by wordplay referencing the creative process upon ascent – from experience through conceptualization to action – leading up to a conclusion, finishing on the top floor’s step. Unblocked encourages one to go beyond looking as Alcarazen poses a reminder to take part in this exercise of approaching art with a mind clear of restrictions as the viewer progresses together with the artist – step-by-step – through the creative process. – From the description of the work.
Retablo de la Compañía (Acrylic on wood). This set of seven individual sandoks represents some of the more famous Jesuits.
The following are from the third floor gallery, which had The 70s Objects, Photographs & Documents exhibit.
Joe Bautista’s Bubong (Rooftop) was first created as part of the exhibition 5 Contemporary Sculptors at the CCP Main Gallery in 1979. Composed of a series of roof constructions, each one occupying an alcove in the gallery, the work extended conventional notions of sculpture by bringing in the forms and materials of the ‘real’ world within the exhibition space. Evoking the rooftops of Manila’s slum districts, the work was deemed inappropriate by then First Lady Imelda Marcos, which led to the closure of the exhibition shortly after it opened. – From the description of the work.
This artwork is empowering for people who climbed to the top (I know it was just a few steps, but it was fun and liberating). I wanted to yell, “I am the queen of the world!!!” but could not.
Artwork on the floor. This artwork is relatable. Our dirty kitchen looked a little bit like this when it rained. We used all sorts of container to catch the raindrops that penetrated the needed-to-be-replaced nipa roof.
Grotto, 2017 (Wire, epoxy, cable ties, and found objects from Bendigo and Castlemaine, Australia) by Leeroy New. This art installation is on the ground floor of Ateneo Art Gallery.
Thirty Thousand Litres, an installation piece by Felix Bacolor. It is found right outside the entrance of Ateneo Art Gallery. Thirty Thousand Litres was first exhibited at the Finale Art File (16 February – 9 March 2017) and, a year later, in the recently-concluded Manila Biennale: Open City held at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila (2 February – 5 March 2018).
For more Ateneo Art Gallery collection, please read this. Entrance to Ateneo Art Gallery is FREE.
For related entries, please read Ateneo Art Gallery and Ateneo Art Gallery in Areté, Part I.
For more information, please visit www.ateneoartgallery.org.
Ateneo Art Gallery Contact Number:
(02) 426 – 6001 local 5392 or (02) 426 – 6488
Areté Contact Number:
(02) 426 – 6001 local 4160
Areté Email for Reservations and Inquiries:
arete@ateneo.edu
Ateneo Art Gallery / Areté Museum Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 7pm
Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Closed on Mondays and Holidays
Areté Address:
University Road, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City (Areté is near Gate 3, across Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall)