National Artists | Rajo's Blog

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My Day with Mr. Luz

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

It is not very often that you get a chance to spend a day with a National Artist. So when the opportunity arises, one must grab it and hold on tight! I had the privilege of doing just this with one of the most enigmatic and brilliant artists that I have ever met. When I heard that Malu was going to visit the work studio of Mr. Arturo Luz in Laguna, I asked if I could join her. Thankfully she said yes, but had to ask the permission of Mr. Luz because apparently, he does not like surprises.

It was a rainy Monday morning and we met him at a Starbucks in Alabang. We all had to be early, as Mr. Luz is never late! When we got there, we thought that we were ahead of him, but a few minutes later, he emerged from the restroom, clearly way ahead of us. We had our coffee and I had the chance to “interview” him. However, I later found out that he hates to be interviewed, so I just backtracked and told him it’s just “kwento.” LOL! My first impression of Mr. Luz was that he was so exacting, everything he did had measure and sureness. He even made a list for us for all the exits we had to make so that we would not get lost.

Mr. Luz told me that his "bush shirt" is all he wears! He has more than a dozen of these cotton shirts, all the same, from the fabric down to the coconut buttons. He wears this uniform daily and wears barongs for special occasions.

After coffee, we headed out to his studio. The place reminded me of a very large country barn, with its red and white facade and almost Western-like proportion. Right beside this was a very large lot, and on this lot were Mr. Luz’s latest sculptures. I was in a trance! Imagine a world where simple geometric shapes intersected and created the most profound statements. Since it was raining quite hard, we entered the studio.

The studio was more like a giant loft all painted white, and surrounding this were numerous works of the national artist. I took my time in taking it all in, as it was quite overwhelming! It was quite a spectacle! The visit was made even more memorable as Mr. Luz would explain to us most of the pieces that were displayed.

As we drove in the studio, a gravel lined lot was beside it, with in the lot were the most monumental structures created by Mr. Luz. I had asked him previously where does he gets his ideas and he told me that it is ingrained in him as when he was in art school it was as if it was pounded in his head to create. Now, creativity is part of him.

As we drove in the studio, a gravel lined lot was beside it, and within the lot were the most monumental structures created by Mr. Luz. I had asked him previously where he gets his ideas and he told me that it is ingrained in him, as when he was in art school, it was as if it was pounded in his head to create. Now, creativity is part of him.

The studio was filled with the works of Mr. Luz from various time periods. This piece is one of his latest creations.

This is from his circulo series. When asked why he chose this color, which many fans have called the "luz-yellow," he just shrugged and said, "I wanted the yellow of the caterpillar." I thought it was the bug, then someone cleared it up - it was the Caterpillar of the construction machines. It was that simple!

As we moved around we had the esteem honor of Mr. Luz explaining most of the pieces.

As we moved around, we had the esteemed honor of Mr. Luz explaining most of the pieces.

These are from the Acrobat group.

Hovering over the studio was a tarpaulin of Mr. Luz.

This was a small version of his very famous Paper Clip series.

A closeup of the signature of Mr. Luz

The vast studio really complemented the art works.

There were some pieces of his burlap pieces done in the '60s.

I am so inspired by his work!

This piece was very strong!

CLASSIC LUZ!

I LOVE THIS! This is one of the pieces that I have my heart set on! I am using the "secret" to acquire it! LOL!

This is also so beautiful! It's actually not that big, but it's made from solid steel! I tried to pick it up and had a really hard time doing so.

Even if it was raining we had to head out and get some photos of the sculptures.

Malu set her eyes on this piece!

here I am with Tina Bonoan and Sari Ortiga who is the managing director of the Crucible gallery who is the exclusive dealer of the art works of Mr. Arturo Luz.

Here I am with Tina Bonoan and Sari Ortiga, who is the managing director of the Crucible Gallery, the exclusive dealer of the art works of Mr. Arturo Luz.

While we were outside, Mr. Luz was very busy coordinating his men to arrange one his recent works.

While we were outside, Mr. Luz was very busy coordinating his men to arrange one of his recent works.

His exacting nature set in, as he points out how his work is set up.

His exacting nature set in, as he pointed out how his work was supposed to be set up.

It was truly one of those special days. I will have to break down the visit into two entries, as I want to share with all of you in detail my wonderful experience. Thank you Mr. Luz for being so generous with your time, and thank you for an unforgettable experience!!
HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: art, Arturo Luz, Fashion Insider, Inspiration, national artists, rajo laurel, sculptures
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »

Culture Vulture!

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

I love productive days! I also love culture! Most of all, I love SURPRISES! Imagine combining all of this on a super sunny day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This equals JOY! I mean, you all really must come over to the CCP! I find myself telling myself that I have to pay CCP a visit, as each time I come here I end up having the most fascinating time.

Take today for example. I was scheduled to have a pictorial here today for the FACE OFF fashion show. I came in a bit early, so I wandered off a bit and stumbled on the “Looking for Juan” exhibit. I loved the exhibition but the paintings were not labeled, so I had no idea who painted them. From the title of the show, I think it’s a quest to find identity and to find some answers to who we are as a people. I enjoyed the show tremendously and I took some photos. The show is going to be running till June 12, so come over and be inspired by how talented our young artists are. You can check out its website: lookingforjuan.com for more information.

Then the pictorial took place and our photographer took us right up on stage at the main theater. I have never been up on that stage before, and it was a really surreal experience that I broke into song and channeled my inner Lea Salonga! LOL! The main theater is really fabulous! I went up close to the gigantic HR Ocampo and I was surprised to find out that it was a tapestry. All these years I thought that it was a painting or a print. I just felt so fortunate to be that close to a really moving piece of art. Then we had a photo taken at this amazing brass wall sculpture by Manansala. I loved the shapes that he created, it was inspiring. Finally we took two shots with the building designed by the genius Leandro Locsin. I have always loved the CCP as it always looked magical to me. Like a slab of rock floating on air.

The weather was just divine! After all the rain, it nice to have loads of sun!

I want this sculpture. I am guessing that it is by Arturo Luz. I may be wrong.

Some photos form our photo shoot! The Face-off show is scheduled around the 3rd week of June.

POSERS ALL! LOL!

With Randy and Rhett in front of the beautiful wall sculpture by Manansala.

Rhett and Randy up close to the HR. Ocampo tapestry

Rhett and Randy up close with the HR. Ocampo tapestry

I love this photo: it was such a special experience being on that stage. It was really exhilarating! (We're like the three little pigs! LOL!)

The CCP's main theater! I was really lucky to have been able to bring my camera, as in most cases, cameras are not allowed in the theater.

The HR. Ocampo which I originally thought was a painting, but when I got closer, it was actually a gigantic tapestry.

The HR. Ocampo: I originally thought was a painting, but when I got closer, it was actually a gigantic tapestry.

I fell in love with this brass sculpture by Manansala.

Above the main lobby was the "Looking for Juan" exhibition. There were several awesome paintings on display. What I love about it was that most of the paintings were of the same size. I just wished that they would have placed the names of the artists beside the paintings. I think you can log on to lookingforjuan.com for more information.

This painting was done of wooden floor boards.

I liked this one. Can anyone tell me who painted this?

I appreciated the naive quality of this painting.

This painting reminded me of Fornasetti. I collect Fornasetti and I would love to have this painting! I was not sure if the paintings were for sale.

Another child-like image that I am responding well to.

I like this one too.

www.lookingforjuan.com

This painting was quite special. It featured some collage work using old wallpaper. I love it!

After that exciting shoot, we went back into the lobby and I was so surprised to see people wearing the most exotic-looking costumes! Imagine my surprise when I found out that they was a folkloric dance festival going on. Now my mind went on overdrive! I adore looking at costumes from around the world and this was a like a gift to me. I kept on taking photos of the dancers. I left the CCP with a huge smile as this is what I call a really FABULOUS day!

After the shoot, I noticed that the main lobby began to be filled with people wearing the most interesting costumes. I was super excited as I love things like this. I forget where these dancers are from, but I know that they are from Eastern Europe.

I think these dancers are from Bulgaria or Romania. I am not sure now as they were too cute and I forget now! LOL!

From Korea! I love how clear their skin are!

Exotic dancer from Sri Lanka

More dancers from Sri Lanka.

This are costumes from Poland! I like the embroidery of their shirts.

These are costumes from Poland! I like the embroidery of their shirts.

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: art, artists, ccp, costumes, cultural center of the philippines, Fashion Insider, national artists, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »

2009 National Artists Awards!

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Something really cool happened to me today! I was invited to be on the panel on the first deliberation to determine the nominees of who will become the National Artist for Fashion Design. I am not at liberty to tell you anything but I can show you photos! LOL!

The meeting was held in Old Manila at the NCCA ( National Commission for Culture and the Arts) building.

I love the fact that we have an entire building to make sure that our arts and culture are well taken cared of. the building is quite impressive as it was spacious and well appointed.

I love the fact that we have an entire building to make sure that our arts and culture are well taken care of. The building is quite impressive as it was spacious and well appointed.

The meetings took up my entire morning, but I really did not care because I was so honored and humbled to be there. When I entered the room, the energy was so strong. Imagine a room filled with the country’s most talented individuals from various artistic disciplines! We were all asked to sit according to our respected field of expertise. The task at hand was to narrow the long list of nominees and create a short list. The process in choosing the national artist is a long and complicated one, but I was just excited to be there!

The room was filled with so many respected artists that I was a bit overwhelmed.

I was like a child in awe of the great masters! It was a really wonderful and educational experience!

This was my table as Fashion Design is under the Allied Arts category.

Great National artists were there like Mr. Arturo Luz and Mr. Ben Cabrera

The fantastically svelte Jose Javier Reyes sat on the broadcasting and film panel.

We began the day with a beautiful speech by the NCAA executive director Cecille Guidote-Alvarez. I was astounded by her eloquence - she gave the speech entirely in Filipino and it was if she was reciting a poem.

I sat beside Mr. Ildefonso Santos Jr. He is a national artist for Architecture. He is a very famous landscape artist.

I sat beside Mr. Ildefonso Santos Jr. He is a national artist for Architecture and a very famous landscape artist.

Here we are, about to start our discussion. With me is Thelma Saj Juan, the most important lifestyle journalist in the country. She is instrumental in pushing all of us fashion designers to reach greater heights. We were also joined by Arc. Melva Java who hails from Cebu.