'Speed of Abstract': Igan D'Bayan curates 'happy art show' for mallgoers

MANILA, Philippines — After the sensory overload and whirl of art festivals last month, "Speed of Abstract" at Arteblado came as a delightful bite-size art show early this month. 

Gestures, moods and reimaginations of objects and experiences are diversely interpreted in "Speed of Abstract." Featuring the works of Jules Sanvictores, Mike Sagaran and Mark Ortiga with Igan D'Bayan as curator, the show was a jovial disruption to the bustling mall atmosphere in Robinsons Galleria. 

According to D'Bayan, who is likewise a visual artist, musician author of the forthcoming Glenn Bautista coffeetable book and columnist, "We wanted to suggest how art can also convey movement — gestural (in the case of Julius’ abstracts, mobile (as symbolized by Michael’s vehicle paintings), as well as kinetic (in regard to Marco’s pendulum drawing machines). Art is not just about portraits of stiff socialites superimposed with flowers and butterflies, or kitschy mega-sculptures."

D'Bayan said he has always enjoyed "Michael’s predilection for precision. Julius’ handling of acrylic and his choice of colors and Marco’s unorthodox concepts." He said he also looks forward to seeing the artists explore other things as well. 

Much as the three artists are masters of their distinct visions, D'Bayan's thoughtful curation brought out a sense of harmony at the ARTablado space.  

Sanvictores, a bandmate of D'Bayan's Black Vomits, presents acrylic paintings with peppy color splashes that are deliciously thick with textures. The palpable dynamic rhythm in his impulsive strokes, he said, is influenced by "nature sounds, swing, progressive rock, be-bop jazz, film and everyday life."

Sagaran, notable for his paintings of vintage cars, moved out of his figurative style by his depiction of a slightly distorted speeding jeepney. According to Sagaran, "I was contemplating on how I could veer away from my usual realistic works for a more painterly style. The vehicle is still recognizable but it's now going towards expressionism, which is  the direction that I plan to take in my next paintings." 

Ortiga, on the other hand, focused on the principles of physics and math in his harmonograph-inspired sculpture. A