MANILA, Philippines - The central conceit of hypnagogia, the state between dream and reality, still forms the crux of Reybert Ramos’ show at Galerie Stephanie.
Appropriately called “Rogues Gallery†and opening on May 21, the show represents an evolution of sorts — bringing together a renewed vision of the duality of humanity and reinforced by the weight of experience and memory. If we, as heroes in our own reality, are to be defined by the demons in our lives, then what then becomes of our own humanity? This fascinating take on dualism — of the binary interactions that are so inherent to mankind — shows just exactly how far Ramos has come in his practice.
Ramos looks at a typical human figure and steadfastly refuses to bestow humanity upon them, replacing what is the definitive organ of humanity — the brain and head — with that of an animal driven on pure instinct: that of your average, run-of-the-mill canine.
Take “Diskusyonâ€: here the figure holds a beer and gestures as if explaining something. But are we to take him seriously if he possesses the head of a dog? Perhaps this is how Ramos sees the progress of discussion, discourse, and debate? Bomber has a figure dressed in a hoodie, a disinterested hound head looking sideways to the beyond while a bullseye target is painted in the background (which is new to Ramos, since he normally leaves his backgrounds blanks). The figure clashes with the title — why is the figure informal when the idea of a model employee is dressed in appropriate business attire? Does the target in the background imply the duality of success — where there is always someone looking to bring you down?
That Ramos asks these questions shows a remarkable degree of depth in his practice. This makes the prospect of a second exhibition, coming just 13 months after his first, genuinely exciting — and points the way to a flourishing career in the future.
Galerie Stephanie is at Unit 1B of Parc Plaza Building, 183 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5), Libis, Quezon City. For information, call 709-1488, e-mail inquiry@galeriestephanie.com, or visit www.galeriestephanie.com.