One of the country’s enduring literary
masterpieces, Florante at Laura – written by 19th century poet
Francisco Baltazar, also known as Balagtas – serves as the
inspiration for an exhibition at the UP Jorge B. Vargas Museum
this February. It will be on view at The Edge Gallery from
February 8 until March 31.
Celebrating the visual arts and literature,
the Florante at Laura exhibition features 22 figurative
paintings inspired by different sections of the poem and a
sculptural introductory piece, all based on the edition edited
by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario.
The artworks, reflecting a variety of styles,
were made by: Mark Arcamo, Buen Calubayan, Caña, Salvador J.
Ching, Convocar, Marc Cosico, Cris Cruz, Leonilo Doloricon, Egai
Talusan Fernandez, Alfred Galvez, Sajid Imao, Jon Jaylo, Jerome
Malic, Wilfredo Offemaria Jr., Vincent Padilla, Jonathan Rañola,
Laya Roman, Don Salubayba, Fernando Sena, Rex Tatlonghari, Roger
Tibon, Inna Vitasa and Janice Liuson Young.
The artists breathe life to the events
chronicled in the epic poem, from Florante being tied up in the
forest and menaced by two lions to his dramatic reunion with his
beloved Laura. Each painting is accompanied by a stanza that
pertains to the depicted scene.
Adding visual interest is a backdrop that
reinforces the period and setting in which Florante at Laura
unfolded. Rendered by the artistic team of Alfred Galvez Mural
Designs and Finishes, the exhibit design features trompe l’oeil
(fool the eye) effects such as faux columns and moldings and
baroque decorative elements. The exhibition is curated and
conceptualized by Susan A. de Guzman and Giselle P. Kasilag of
Project Art.
National Artist Almario calls Balagtas the
first Filipino poet, claiming that the latter was able to
demonstrate the power of a poet through Florante at Laura. For
the first time, notes Almario, a poet dared to challenge his
readers (in the exhortation "Sa Babasa Nito") to carefully
consider his written words because these would be of immense use
to them. "In a way, Balagtas broke free from the shackles of
colonialism and paved the way towards freedom for the likes of
Rizal, Bonifacio and many generations of contemporary poets,"
Almario says.
The Florante at Laura project is the exhibit
component of the Komedya Fiesta 2008 1st National Festival, one
of the major activities marking the UP Centennial.
The Komedya Fiesta 2008 is presented by the UP Diliman Office
of the Chancellor, through the College of Arts and Letters and
in cooperation with the Office of Initiatives in Culture and the
Arts with the support of the NCCA. For more details, e-mail
vargasmuseum@yahoo.com.
