This 6-kg Orlina is made of paper
Master glass sculptor Ramon Orlina has been an active participant in ManilArt since its inception in 2009, and his offerings never fail to enthrall attendees of the country’s longest-running visual arts fair. For the 2023 edition alone, he came up with a champagne fountain flowing with actual wine and his collection of European cars artfully painted on by collaborators led by National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera.
This year, Orlina is presenting “Visions in Glass,” which is not only a collection of sculptures but also the title of his book. It was unveiled at the opening of ManilaArt 2024 last Wednesday night at the SMX Aura Convention Center in Taguig City. Both his book and sculptures, along with the rest of the exhibits at the fair, will be on display until today, Oct. 13.
“This is almost 50 years of my works,” said Orlina, also a licensed architect, in a press conference held a few days before ManilArt 2024’s opening. “And I started from scratch. Nobody taught me. Architecture helped me a lot in doing what I’m doing now. I’m happy that it will be all in the book.”
He pointed out that with a weight of about 6 kg, “Visions in Glass” could no longer be classified as a coffee-table book. “It’s a dining table book! Because you cannot put it in your lap. Mabigat-bigat masyado (quite heavy). It’s something I’m really happy and proud of. Almost 50 years of my work is there.”
“We’re very privileged to host this book launch and exhibit of a living master,” ManilaArt Foundation president Amy Loste told Lifestyle.
She went on to explain the mandate of ManilaArt as the flagship project of the National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA): “It is to really be able to open up the galleries not just for the art collectors or select few. This is for everyone. This is for the students, for young people, even children. To be able to open this fair and the artworks to a wider audience is very significant for us.”
Wide range of artistic expressions
Art fair director Gab Loste expressed his confidence that millennials and Gen Zers, at least those he meets, are familiar with Orlina and his works. “Just think of the glass sculpture, and, they say ‘Yes, I know who that is.’ Within my generation, we’re quite familiar because also of the unique style.”
“I would say I’m a fan,” he adds of the artist he calls Tito Ramon because he’s best friends with Orlina’s son Michael.
“When I was a kid, I even had a joke na I have a very personal relationship with him because I knocked down one of our Orlinas [at home]. Tito Ramon was, like, ‘It’s okay, I’ll fix it for you.’ Of course, I felt bad as a kid. But I didn’t know its value then, so to me, it’s Tito Ramon doing me a favor. Now, growing up, I understand. That was a big favor!”
ManilArt 2024, which has the theme “Prisms and Mosaics,” features a wide range of artistic expressions and perspectives through the works of artists from diverse backgrounds. For the “Plugged into Fernalia: The Gray Areas of Art and AI” exhibit, curator Gromyko Semper selected works by the likes of Noel Sadicon, Pen Medina, Isobel Francisco, and Peter Gric in addressing different aspects of artificial intelligence’s impact on art.
Likewise worth checking out at the fair is the diverse array of works across various media. Orlina leads the showcase in collaboration with fellow artists Marge Organo and Anna Orlina, who happens to be his daughter.
There are also Ombok Villamor’s oversized metal sculptures, Agi Pagkatipunan’s wood art, and Danny Rayos Del Sol’s intricate carved skulls and ostrich eggs. Meanwhile, Ed Coronel’s large triptych mural titled “The Wave” reflects the tensions in the West Philippine Sea as it also explores resilience amid conflict.
