Into the realm of ideas

CEBU, Philippines — Like taste, there is no accounting for thoughts – no standard measure that says Pedro’s thoughts are more valuable than Juan’s.

Though society tends to tell us that this isn’t so, this truth – this naked truth – steadily seeps through the blanket of lies that we use to keep ourselves warm in the day-by-day collisions in life – all-in-all setting the difference between “living” form being “alive.”

This societal ruse is at the center of 856G Gallery’s most recent show titled “Thoughts Are Duty-Free.” The exhibit features paintings and prints that speak of thoughts and their connection with actions. It runs until this week only.

Mainlined by the works of artists Christian Rothmaler, Carlo Ricafort and Timo Roter, the exhibit walks viewers through the realm of ideas postulated by philosophers like Plato and Socrates – drawing all sights on the relationship that’s shared by concepts and the potentially taxable results that stem from them.

Steered by the ideals of abstract expressionism, the show steps away from literal translations of visual elements – invariably playing-up the creative style’s propensity for philosophical musings and epiphanies.

Presented without title cards (title of the work, name of the artist, medium used etc.), “Thoughts are Duty-Free” takes it upon itself to let viewers explore on their own terms the realm of ideas it presents – for viewers to find their own thoughts within those that are rendered in the exhibit.

Like a tunnel that follows through a tunnel of its own, the show invariably sets the stage where concepts stand proud with action without a judge or jury – metaphorically reminding everyone that in as much as thoughts are duty-free, actions are ultimately louder than words.