MAGES
in Stone: Art in Fossils from the Larry Gotuaco Collection
opened yesterday at the third floor, Glass Lane of Ayala Museum.
The exhibit reveals a collector’s great
infatuation with fossils. It highlights a priceless selection of
actual fossils and the magnified images found on them, created
solely by natural forces. Found in several parts of the world
and of various ages, the fossils are divided into four main
categories: petrified wood, dinosaur bones and by-products,
ammonites, rocks and stones.
Using photography to present the multiplicity
of designs, patterns, colors, and shapes, this exhibition shows
organic matter transformed to inorganic matter to art from
nature. Together, the fossils and the images reveal a
multiplicity of colors, forms, sizes, and shapes that can only
be brought about by the earth’s constant transformation.
Fossils are the remains of living organisms
that have been preserved in stone. They are concrete proof of
the existence of plants and animals that lived on the earth many
millions of years ago. Fossils come in a multitude of colors,
forms, shapes, and sizes that are difficult to imitate or
replicate and can be admired and appreciated, studied, and
pondered upon–showing that the beauty of the physical world is
eternal.
Larry Gotuaco is a collector at heart. In his
thirties, he was advised by his doctor to take up a hobby. So,
in the course of a career in insurance spanning more than 50
years, he has managed to maintain his wits, his health, and a
keen sense of humor, all because of his hobbies.
In the ‘70s, he started collecting seashells
because they were natural, colorful and plentiful. In the ‘80s
and ‘90s, he shifted to Chinese blue and white ceramics of the
14th century because they were available.
In the new millennium, Gotuaco stumbled upon
a gorgeous piece of petrified wood for the first time. That has
led to a whole new world of fossils, such as trees, dinosaurs
and ammonites that lived on earth over 65 million years ago.
Some are even 200 million years old. They have all been
preserved in stone.
Larry has found a spiritual dimension in many
of these fossils, so he is eager to share these images in stone
with kids of all ages, and of all faiths.
Images in Stone will be open for
public viewing until November 30. For lecture schedules and
other inquiries, call Dianne at 757 7117 to 21 local 29 or log
on to www.ayalamuseum.org.
Ayala Museum is located at the corner of Makati avenue and De
la Rosa street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City.
