“Sulog”

CEBU, Philippines - Opening on January 10 in the Maribago Bluewater Gallery of the Maribago Bluewater Resort at Mactan, the “Sulog” art exhibit brings together more than 15 artpieces made by the members of the visual art collective - with works by artists Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Radel Paredes, Josua Cabrera, Felix Catarata, Melver Mercado, Remy Rault and guest artists Laure and Jean-Francois Gregoire topbilling the show.

Taking its title from the Cebuano word for "water current," the exhibit's cause for being alludes to the word's connection with "Sinulog" - the dance that mimics the flow of rivers and tides, performed in honor of the Sto. Niño.

Though the art exhibit is Sinulog-themed, its presented pieces are not literal interpretations of the grandest religious and cultural festival of its class in the country - but are their respective artists' interpretation of the word "current"; delving into different subjects and themes that touch up on the topic.

From works that illustrate the effects of cultural diasporas, to pieces that focus on the current trends of the visual arts field, the show effortlessly calls a sense of clarity from viewers; utilizing the signs-of-the-times in rendering pieces that are timely and relevant.

In a time when the upsides of experiencing the world as a shapeless melting pot has become more defined, the show aims to break the comfort zones we tend to nestle ourselves in - not with the intention to upset, but to remind us of the dangers of both caprice and routine.

"Sulog" runs until Saturday, February 7.

Mugna Sugbu is a visual art collective established by a group of artists who were invited to participate in the "12 x12 International Arts Festival" in Paris, France in 2013. In that event the artists chose the word "Mugna" (which means "creation") as the title of their group exhibit, with the intention of introducing a Cebuano word to the event's attendees.

The organizers of the festival used the word "Mugna" to call the group - compelling its members to refer to their group as "Mugna Sugbu."

Apart from being the group's first art exhibit for 2015, "Sulog" is also the group's first exhibit after the members of the organization had an exhibition and residency in Paris from October to November 2013. (FREEMAN)