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This is the third set for the Travel Study Tour in Japan, in cooperation with Asahi Art Festival Worldwide Network Travel Study Tour 2011 and Association for the Corporate Support for the Arts,Japan. Also with the Japan Foundation Tokyo, Arts NPOs in Japan including ENVISI and art centers like Sendai Media Tech, Aomori Contemporary Art Centre and Hachi Portal Museum.
Copyright.2011
for more info. pls. visit these sites…
http://www.asahi-artfes.net/aaf-network/
http://www.pj-fukushima.jp/project.html
http://www.envisi.org/minamisanriku/
http://www.smt.city.sendai.jp/en/
http://www.a-nponet.jp/
http://hacchi.jp/ha/index.html
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Research Trip last August 2011 (Japan) PART 02 of the images captured.
Sponsored by Asahi Art Festival Worldwide Network Travel Study Tour 2011.
From this tour, seven individuals participated including artists and art workers that represents their affiliations and organizations, namely Kim Kang of Space Lab39:Mullae Artist Village in Korea, Indra Ameng of Ruangrupa in Indonesia, Bani Haykal of The Substation in Singapore, Phaponsak Lo-Ar of Land Foundation in Thailand, Lee Chun Fung of Woofer Ten in Hong Kong, Lew Pik-Svonn of Project Chow Kit Kita in Malaysia and me for this project Bliss Market and as core member of Tutok Artist Collective.
Other Participants and Organizational committee of this tour:
Yasuko OGIWARA:AAF Executive Committee (Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Japan)
Hiroshi HASE:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Sadayuki HIGUCHI: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat(Art NPO Link)
Teiko HINUMA: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat(Joshibi University of Art and Design)
Yuko ISHIWATA:AAF Executive Committee
Taneo KATO:Asahi Beer Arts Foundation
Megumi KAWAMURA:Asahi Group Holdings
Atsuko KIKUCHI: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat (Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Japan)
Hitomi MATSUMOTO:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Madoka MATSUKI:Asahi Beer Arts Foudation
Sasana NEMOTO:AAF World Network Project Secretaruat (Asahi Brewery )
Takashi SERIZAWA:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Hisashi SHIBATA:AAF Executive Committee
Naomi SHIBATA:AAF Executive Committee
Eiko SHIMIZU:AAF Executive Committee
Yukiko SUGANO:The Japan Foundation
Hiroaki TOMONO:Asahi Breweries Ltd.
Yumi YOSHIKAWA:ENVISI
Mio YACHITA:The Japan Foundation
Research Trip last August 2011 (Japan)
Sponsored by Asahi Art Festival Worldwide Network Travel Study Tour 2011.
Tokyo > Fukushima > Minamisanriku > Sendai > Aomori > Kareizawa > Hachinohe > Tokyo
I also visited Yokohama for the ‘Our Magic Hour: Yokohama Triennale’
and ‘Koganecho Art Project’ that includes a good friend of mine, Mark Salvatus.
This trip was a way to connect Asian countries and try to re-evaluate the role of Art to the society and how Art can help rehabilitate the affected communities in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami tragedy and the future disasters to come.
From this tour, seven individuals participated including artists and art workers that represents their affiliations and organizations, namely Kim Kang of Space Lab39:Mullae Artist Village in Korea, Indra Ameng of Ruangrupa in Indonesia, Bani Haykal of The Substation in Singapore, Phaponsak Lo-Ar of Land Foundation in Thailand, Lee Chun Fung of Woofer Ten in Hong Kong, Lew Pik-Svonn of Project Chow Kit Kita in Malaysia and me for this project Bliss Market and as core member of Tutok Artist Collective.
Part of the Tour was an International Conference that hosted 2 symposiums.
AAF Global Network Project International Conferences
“Pioneer the Future with the Power of Culture
- Spirit of Tohoku, Voices of Asia – ”
The AAF is a nationwide network of arts projects whose initiatives are taken by local citizens, to cultivate and rejuvenate community’s future by connecting art and society across Japan. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, AAF organizes the AAF Global Network Project, inviting creative leaders from seven Asian countries, to hold a study tour to build a network with Tohoku-based arts projects.
The tour includes two international conferences held in Hachinohe and Tokyo, in which the delegates and participants discuss a vision for the rebuilding of society with the power of culture.
International Conference in Hachinohe (co-organised with Hachinohe Potal Museum “hacchi”)
- Building a New Community –
Held August 19 15:00-19:00
Marking our 10th anniversary this year, the AAF has launched an initiative to establish a new global network. For the first stage of the project we have invited seven cultural leaders from Asia and will be taking them on a tour to our partner organisations in Tohoku. At the end of the tour in Hachinohe, the leaders will give presentations on the diverse activities and projects of their representing organizations at home. In response, they will be introduced to the diversity of Hachinohe’s proud culture and arts projects run by local people who are working for the future of their community. The conference aims at sharing information beyond borders and fostering mutual understanding while discussing the building of a new community.
＊The conference was broadcasted live over the internet via Ustream.
http://bit.ly/nf9ctf
International Conference in Tokyo (co-organized with the Japan Foundation) – Potential of New Global Network -
Held August 21
What did young Asian cultural leaders witness in Tohoku region where people started to take a step forward calmly yet firmly? At the conference, they will be reporting what they have seen and dialogue with arts practitioners in Tohoku, to share the story with people around the world through Ustream. After the report, 3 agendas will be discussed with participants of the conference: “Creative Society”, “Role of Art Center” and “Value”.
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Other Participants and Organizational committee of this tour:
Yasuko OGIWARA:AAF Executive Committee (Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Japan)
Hiroshi HASE:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Sadayuki HIGUCHI: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat(Art NPO Link)
Teiko HINUMA: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat(Joshibi University of Art and Design)
Yuko ISHIWATA:AAF Executive Committee
Taneo KATO:Asahi Beer Arts Foundation
Megumi KAWAMURA:Asahi Group Holdings
Atsuko KIKUCHI: AAF World Network Project Secretaruat (Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Japan)
Hitomi MATSUMOTO:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Madoka MATSUKI:Asahi Beer Arts Foudation
Sasana NEMOTO:AAF World Network Project Secretaruat (Asahi Brewery )
Takashi SERIZAWA:AAF Executive Committee (P3 Art and Environment)
Hisashi SHIBATA:AAF Executive Committee
Naomi SHIBATA:AAF Executive Committee
Eiko SHIMIZU:AAF Executive Committee
Yukiko SUGANO:The Japan Foundation
Hiroaki TOMONO:Asahi Breweries Ltd.
Yumi YOSHIKAWA:ENVISI
Mio YACHITA:The Japan Foundation
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The UP BLISS Diliman. Located at Philcoa near University of the Philippines at Diliman, Quezon City. The venue for the upcoming BLISS MARKET project 2012. batch 02 of images.
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The UP BLISS Diliman. Located at Philcoa near University of the Philippines at Diliman, Quezon City. The venue for the upcoming BLISS MARKET project 2012.
“This project is supported by the ANA - Arts Network Asia (www.artsnetworkasia.org),
an enabling grant body, set up by a group of independent artists, cultural workers
and arts activists from Asia, that encourages collaboration, initiated and sited
in Asia and carried out by Asian artists.”
UPDATE as of May 01, 2011:
Finalization of Participants this May.
It has been a while since I wrote in this blog. I’ve been busy since September last year upon arrival from the Jenesys Programme grant in Japan. I have finished my solo exhibition at blanc and also continued practicing music video direction, graphic design and art consultation. But Bliss Market project was always on the list of things to do and things to accomplish. Since last year, Bliss Market is targeted to be realized on January 2012 and UP Vargas Museum will be one of the key spaces that will embrace this project, under the guidance of Mr. Patrick Flores, the curator of UP Vargas Museum. I am still now on the process of researching and building up the context and details of the show. Reading up materials that will help me charge the structure of the project. I am currently here now in Japan for another research and meeting as a follow up for the Jenesys Programme 2010. But I will elaborate on that in another blog. But being here again and seeing a lot of contemporary art practices and works is truly an eye opening experience. This is really helping me a lot on my research for the project Bliss Market as well. Last year I proposed this project to Arts Network Asia for a funding support and initially was shortlisted for further evaluation upon the submission of other details.
Now, I am very much pleased to announce that “BLISS MARKET” is now supported by the ANA – Arts Network Asia (www.artsnetworkasia.org), an enabling grant body, set up by a group of independent artists, cultural workers and arts activists from Asia, that encourages collaboration, initiated and sited in Asia and carried out by Asian artists.
Next step is to fill up the gaps. I really want this to be as smooth as possible. 
I will be very busy this year. Yeah boy! 
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Uncovering the Sheets
By J. Pacena II
It was the daily routine that I missed most, since I moved in a new home in Caloocan. That commute from the Taft MRT Station, I will then go down at Cubao Farmers Plaza, walk towards Aurora Blvd., passing by Araneta Coliseum and Gateway Mall leading to my previous apartment in Ermin Garcia, Cubao. I usually went home around 9 PM, when the store keepers are already preparing the daily sales inventory, closing down their shops and setting up the sheet that covers their mannequins’ heads, for whatever purpose they did this I wasn’t sure. During this time, buyers usually go for last minute purchases, some couples, group of friends head towards the cinema to watch the last full show. It was that exact image of the covered statues that initiated this whole concept, in that moment of observing the movements and stillness of the environment in preparation for the after mall hours that inspired this exhibition.
The mannequins covered in sheets reminded me of early experience as a little boy, I used to hide underneath the bed covers to play, imagining as if I am on a ship as a fisherman or inside a house where I am a giant playing with my toys. I used to build my own sanctuary made out of bed sheets, towels and pillows. I often times played alone but on rare occasions I played with my cousin Herbert and my friend Tan-Tan. My sisters were there as well, I would get frustrated because they would force me to sleep during the afternoons. But this image of a mannequin underneath the sheets, mainly reminded me of those times I needed to stay still, to hide, feeling safe from the darkness while the night lingers, while everyone was already asleep. My father taught me how to sleep alone, with the lights off, the sofa serves as my first dream vehicle. It was during those times that I believed I made clear to myself what comfort meant. It was the space underneath the sheets.
In this exhibition, that idea of the transitional stage from day to night, lightness to dark, from awaked consciousness to the awaken subconscious is rediscovered. It is about uncovering the layers of one’s sense of calm that was developed in time.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Do you really want to jump? He asked… “Do you want to?” She answered.
1:12 AM / The Fragile State of Holding Hands suggests the conflict of emotions and the struggles in decision making between two persons or two different ideas that are connected as one. It is during those times that we can really change everything in one’s life in a single leap of faith. Connected to this idea is the work 2:14 AM / Migraine, which presents a simple maze-like structure that evokes the feeling of being lost, either in one’s consciousness or in that single moment in time.
“I walked for hours not knowing where I will end up… Holding a map I barely understand, changing directions that I am not sure of. But in the end I believed that the path I took lead me to you… also dazed and confused, naked…wanting to be touched.”
“I hoped we got lost together, so it won’t be lonely as it was.”
“Maybe it won’t.”
12:30 AM / Stagnant 01 and 02 is the meeting of two souls, both lost in their chosen path and lost with their own conflicts in life. In this work the glass doors of the gallery separate them from each other, still unsure of whether to finally decide to meet in between. Still motionless, mind cluttered, unable to move, still wondering whether to go out and enter the next phase in life or just stay inside where everything seems to be familiar.
“I cannot understand a word you are saying” He asked
“Maybe you are just tired…” she answered
“I cannot understand a word you are saying.” He replied
7:16 AM / The Last Call, the idea of miscommunication of emotions represented by a dialogue between two individuals, who are lost in the true essence of a conversation. It represents the idea of those moments where one was answered by another form of a question, leading to a much more complicated exchange of understanding. For example… when someone asks you “How was your day?” and it was answered with “How was yours?” leaves a certain void, a broken dialogue. This work suggests that void, that certain space between two individuals trying to meet in between a conversation.
3:01 AM to 3:30 AM / Silhouettes, Voices and Familiar Phrases is a series of recollections that was initiated during my 3-month curator-in-residence experience in Japan. This series was further developed when I was lost in time at the Setouchi International Art Festival in Japan, in order to see the different art projects, I walked 600 meters and even travelled several kilometres by land and by boat just to view all the artworks scattered along the islands of the Setouchi Sea. I passed by trees, abandoned houses, abandoned schools and spaces, sea shores, roads and even mountains. I crossed the sea from one island to another in order for me to fully experience and understand the full concept of the festival. This particular experience during my residency in Japan made me reflect about a lot of things in my life and made me appreciate the people I have encountered, lived with, and grew up with in my 30 years of existence. This series of works embodies my personal sentiments on the people that made me who I am today. The works are a mixture of digital cut outs of my memories from my Setouchi International Art Festival trip, showing parts of the photographs I captured in 3 separate days in five different islands, particularly Naoshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Teshima and Takamatsu. This was collaged with spontaneous thoughts written in words representing a person or a group of individuals that made a difference in my existence. These artworks have irregular shapes that can be seen on all of the works in this exhibition, representing the irregularities in life. This is also partnered subtly with the chosen music playing as a soundtrack, an ambient sound for this exhibition ranging from the 90’s music till now.
Other works such as 4:01 AM / Window Watchers, 5:00 AM / Nausea and 6:00 AM / Clouded are floating ideas taken from observation and being uncomfortable. These works are spontaneous reactions from the previous discussed works. Each title was presented in two different ideas, suggesting two separate titles for each work. One is the time, representing a certain moment that may also represent significant numbers. And one title signifies the narrative content of the work.
After Mall Hours is about transitions, realizations and choosing directions. These themes are translated using a mixture of materials ranging from digital to a more tangible and spontaneous art making experience. This is an interpretation of my pause towards activity, a reflection of a period in one’s life.
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Born on July 16, 1980 in Quezon City, J. Pacena II finished his Elementary in 1993 at Kamuning Elementary School and his High School in 1997 at the University of Santo Tomas Pay High School. He graduated in 2001 at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design with a major in Advertising Arts. In 2003, he became an instructor for College of Fine Arts and Design in the same University and pursued his Graduate Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts. On that same year, he directed his first Music Video under BMG Pilipinas (now Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Inc.). He presented his first solo art exhibition in 2005 and had his first curatorial project for the exhibition entitled “boxed” in 2006. In 2007, he became a core member of Tutok, a group of artists advocating in human rights and education conditions in the Philippines. In 2008 he joined the faculty roster of Asia Pacific College, School of Multimedia Arts in Magallanes. In September that year, he married his long time partner whom he became friends with since 1990.
This year, he recently came home from a 3-month residency grant by Japan Foundation and UP Vargas Museum under the Jenesys Programme for Creators 2010. During his stay in Japan, he was able to make a tremendous amount of time reflecting about his life, about his career and his future plans as an artist and as an individual.
After Mall Hours by J. Pacena II (artist+curator)
November 5 to 26, 2010
BLANC Peninsula Manila
G/F shops 9 & 10 Ayala Avenue,
cor.Makati Avenue, Makati City.
+639209276436
Free admission, the gallery is open everyday.
Transitions, realizations and choosing directions… themes translated using acrylic, pastel and archival ink on paper and canvas. Through the images of conflicts of man, the irregularities of life represented by floating geometrical shapes and deconstructed images of photographs of landscapes, abandoned houses and other spaces in Japan as a product of reflections of 30 years of existence. There are dialogues and conversations within the frames of artwork, showing conflicting views and feelings of the subjects and the influences of people through a man’s life stages.
Uncover the body languages, the hidden places and the essence of people behind the bits and pieces of puzzles in these artworks as multi-media artist J.Pacena II presents his recent works with an exhibition entitled After Mall Hours at BLANC Peninsula Manila.
Born on July 16, 1980 in Quezon City, J. Pacena II finished his Elementary in 1993 at Kamuning Elementary School and his High School in 1997 at the University of Santo Tomas Pay High School. He graduated in 2001 at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design with a major in Advertising Arts. In 2003, he became an instructor for College of Fine Arts and Design in the same University and pursued his Graduate Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts. On that same year, he directed his first Music Video under BMG Pilipinas (now Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Inc.). He presented his first solo art exhibition in 2005 and had his first curatorial project for the exhibition entitled “boxed” in 2006. In 2007, he became a core member of Tutok, a group of artists advocating in human rights and education conditions in the Philippines. In 2008 he joined the faculty roster of Asia Pacific College, School of Multimedia Arts in Magallanes. In September that year, he married his long time partner whom he became friends with since 1990.
This year, he recently came home from a 3-month residency grant by Japan Foundation and UP Vargas Museum under the Jenesys Programme for Creators 2010. During his stay in Japan, he was able to make a tremendous amount of time reflecting about his life, about his career and his future plans as an artist and as an individual. After Mall Hours is a pause to activity, a product of reflection, a personal observation of the transitional period in one’s life.
The exhibit opens on November 5, 2010 at 6PM and will run until November 26, 2010 at the BLANC Peninsula Manila, G/F shops 9 & 10 Ayala Avenue, cor.Makati Avenue, Makati City.For more information about this exhibition, visit www.blanc.ph or contact +639209276436 or send an email to info@blanc.ph. Free admission, the gallery is open everday.
