WheatonArts :: Down Jersey Folklife Center :: Exhibitions
Down Jersey Folklife Center
Exhibitions
2009 Exhibition
Philippine Exhibit Brochure / PDF
The Down Jersey Folklife Center at WheatonArts presents, “Understanding Others: Philippine Traditional Arts and Culture,” a new exhibit opening September 29 and continuing through December 31, 2009.
The exhibit provides visual insights into Philippine folklore, mythology and religions and represents a wide range of regional folk arts and crafts. It focuses on the diversity of beliefs, ceremonies, celebrations and everyday activities of the Philippine people as interpreted by master folk artists working in a variety of media: fabrics, wood, metal, stone, shells, beads, bones, and horn. The diversity springs from a unique blend of indigenous cultures with those imported from Spain, Mexico, the U.S., India and China, scattered across the more than 7,000 islands that comprise the Philippine archipelago. Running north and south in the Pacific over a 300,000 square kilometer region between Taiwan and Indonesia Philippines are dominated by three main island groups, Luzon, to the north, site of the capital, Manila; Mindanao to the south and Visayas in between.
The blend of cultures allows us to observe a complex process where “old” and “new” are integrated into various artistic forms and cultural practices. Indigenous beliefs, legends and tales co-exist with Christian, Buddhism and Islam and inspire exemplary artistic expressions that become part of the present-day Philippine folk culture.
Understanding Others assembles a rich collection of ritual, decorative and utilitarian objects that reflect the styles, subjects, values and aesthetic concerns of the Philippine artists and the various ethnic communities they represent. All of the exhibit items belong to the private collections of Emilio and Ameurfina Nazario and Stewart and Mirinisa Myers.
Major art forms featured in the exhibit include:
■ Traditional Musical Instruments – Northern Mountain Province: Bangibang (wooden yoke-shaped percussion bars); Bongkaka (bamboo buzzer for driving away evil spirits); Kulibao (bamboo jaw harp); Palendong (lip valley bamboo flute); and Tongali (bamboo nose flute). From the South: Agong (large bronze gong with a wide rim); Babandir (small bronze gong with turned-in rim); D’bakan (goblet-headed drum of hollow wood and animal skin); Gabbang (bamboo xylophone); Kubing (Bamboo jaw harp); Kudyapi (two-stringed lute); Kulintang (set of eight bronze gongs of graduated sized played using a pair of soft wood sticks); and Suling (bamboo ring flute). Also, Rondalla Instruments (stringed instruments) such as Bandurria, Laud and Octavina.
■ Hand-woven and Embroidered Fabrics made of various materials such as palm leafs, pineapple fiber, banana leafs, tree bark, as well as cotton and silk. Visitors can recognize the Southern geometrical patterns and compare them with the floral motifs that dominate the Northern designs. Hand-painted fabrics feature a variety of motifs including small animals like grasshoppers and lizards or dancing human figures. Fabrics made by the Igorot people (the group consisting of five tribes – Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao and Kalinga – all residing in the northern mountain province) show specific designs representing tribal symbols, colors or ritual relevance. Some fabrics are assembled into full costumes representing different regions in the Philippines; others are shown separately in order to illustrate specific techniques such as the calado (type of embroidery and cutwork), which requires
closer look for better appreciation.
■ Baskets, designed in the various traditions of Northern, Central and Southern Philippines, are used for planting, harvesting or storing rice, fruits and vegetables. They are made of palm leafs, grass, rattan, bamboo, jute, abaca or a combination of grass and carved wood, grass and beadwork. The geometric patterns of the beaded decorations on the baskets are distinct for the Southern part of the Philippines. Visitors can see the famous kayabang basket, which is carried with the help of a strap across the forehead.
■ Woodcarvings reflect different religious beliefs, such as examples of carved Christian saints and angels or carved bulol (rice gods) and anito (spirit figures representing the spirits of the ancestors, nature-spirits or other deities). They are believed to provide magical protection or to give guidance in difficult life situations. Also on display are carved animals, bowls for ceremonial offerings, human figures dressed in the local garments, and utensils for everyday use.
■ Bone and Horn Carvings appear in some of the musical instruments, jewelry items and decorative objects. Visitors have a unique opportunity to see the famous Sarimanok (The mythical Maranao bird holding two fish, one with its beak, and the other with its claws, that symbolize good luck and prosperity) carved out of bone and wood in the Southern Philippines.
■ Jewelry and Amulets constitutes a separate section of the exhibit featuring a variety of materials and techniques such as beadwork, metalwork, shell crafts, bone and seeds designs. For example, there is on display a tamborin necklace (scapular, gold filigree with an image of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, or saint on the pendant) and a necklace made from skeleton of a snake. Both of them are perceived as amulets protecting people from evil powers.
Other items on display survey miniature toys - models of transportation vehicles including Kalesa (horse drawn-carriage) and Jeepney (originally made from U.S. military jeeps left overs after the World War II and known for their flamboyant and colorful decoration), basket-shaped hats made of rattan, grass, abaca or wood, and headdresses with elaborate bead, bamboo and wood decorations.
Several workshops will be held in conjunction with the exhibit in order to provide deeper insights into the Philippine folk traditions and culture.
The exhibit is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Admission: Adults $10.00, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. Free to shop and stroll except during outdoor special events. For more information about WheatonArts, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.
WheatonArts strives to make exhibits, events and programs accessible to all visitors. Provide two weeks notice to accommodate needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.
The Down Jersey Folklife Center is a division of Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Bank of America Foundation. WheatonArts has also received grant support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State and from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
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The Down Jersey Folklife Center at WheatonArts presents, “Understanding Others: Philippine Traditional Arts and Culture,” a new exhibit opening September 29 and continuing through December 31, 2009.
The exhibit provides visual insights into Philippine folklore, mythology and religions and represents a wide range of regional folk arts and crafts. It focuses on the diversity of beliefs, ceremonies, celebrations and everyday activities of the Philippine people as interpreted by master folk artists working in a variety of media: fabrics, wood, metal, stone, shells, beads, bones, and horn. The diversity springs from a unique blend of indigenous cultures with those imported from Spain, Mexico, the U.S., India and China, scattered across the more than 7,000 islands that comprise the Philippine archipelago. Running north and south in the Pacific over a 300,000 square kilometer region between Taiwan and Indonesia Philippines are dominated by three main island groups, Luzon, to the north, site of the capital, Manila; Mindanao to the south and Visayas in between.
The blend of cultures allows us to observe a complex process where “old” and “new” are integrated into various artistic forms and cultural practices. Indigenous beliefs, legends and tales co-exist with Christian, Buddhism and Islam and inspire exemplary artistic expressions that become part of the present-day Philippine folk culture.
Understanding Others assembles a rich collection of ritual, decorative and utilitarian objects that reflect the styles, subjects, values and aesthetic concerns of the Philippine artists and the various ethnic communities they represent. All of the exhibit items belong to the private collections of Emilio and Ameurfina Nazario and Stewart and Mirinisa Myers.
Major art forms featured in the exhibit include:
■ Traditional Musical Instruments – Northern Mountain Province: Bangibang (wooden yoke-shaped percussion bars); Bongkaka (bamboo buzzer for driving away evil spirits); Kulibao (bamboo jaw harp); Palendong (lip valley bamboo flute); and Tongali (bamboo nose flute). From the South: Agong (large bronze gong with a wide rim); Babandir (small bronze gong with turned-in rim); D’bakan (goblet-headed drum of hollow wood and animal skin); Gabbang (bamboo xylophone); Kubing (Bamboo jaw harp); Kudyapi (two-stringed lute); Kulintang (set of eight bronze gongs of graduated sized played using a pair of soft wood sticks); and Suling (bamboo ring flute). Also, Rondalla Instruments (stringed instruments) such as Bandurria, Laud and Octavina.
■ Hand-woven and Embroidered Fabrics made of various materials such as palm leafs, pineapple fiber, banana leafs, tree bark, as well as cotton and silk. Visitors can recognize the Southern geometrical patterns and compare them with the floral motifs that dominate the Northern designs. Hand-painted fabrics feature a variety of motifs including small animals like grasshoppers and lizards or dancing human figures. Fabrics made by the Igorot people (the group consisting of five tribes – Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao and Kalinga – all residing in the northern mountain province) show specific designs representing tribal symbols, colors or ritual relevance. Some fabrics are assembled into full costumes representing different regions in the Philippines; others are shown separately in order to illustrate specific techniques such as the calado (type of embroidery and cutwork), which requires
closer look for better appreciation.
■ Baskets, designed in the various traditions of Northern, Central and Southern Philippines, are used for planting, harvesting or storing rice, fruits and vegetables. They are made of palm leafs, grass, rattan, bamboo, jute, abaca or a combination of grass and carved wood, grass and beadwork. The geometric patterns of the beaded decorations on the baskets are distinct for the Southern part of the Philippines. Visitors can see the famous kayabang basket, which is carried with the help of a strap across the forehead.
■ Woodcarvings reflect different religious beliefs, such as examples of carved Christian saints and angels or carved bulol (rice gods) and anito (spirit figures representing the spirits of the ancestors, nature-spirits or other deities). They are believed to provide magical protection or to give guidance in difficult life situations. Also on display are carved animals, bowls for ceremonial offerings, human figures dressed in the local garments, and utensils for everyday use.
■ Bone and Horn Carvings appear in some of the musical instruments, jewelry items and decorative objects. Visitors have a unique opportunity to see the famous Sarimanok (The mythical Maranao bird holding two fish, one with its beak, and the other with its claws, that symbolize good luck and prosperity) carved out of bone and wood in the Southern Philippines.
■ Jewelry and Amulets constitutes a separate section of the exhibit featuring a variety of materials and techniques such as beadwork, metalwork, shell crafts, bone and seeds designs. For example, there is on display a tamborin necklace (scapular, gold filigree with an image of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, or saint on the pendant) and a necklace made from skeleton of a snake. Both of them are perceived as amulets protecting people from evil powers.
Other items on display survey miniature toys - models of transportation vehicles including Kalesa (horse drawn-carriage) and Jeepney (originally made from U.S. military jeeps left overs after the World War II and known for their flamboyant and colorful decoration), basket-shaped hats made of rattan, grass, abaca or wood, and headdresses with elaborate bead, bamboo and wood decorations.
Several workshops will be held in conjunction with the exhibit in order to provide deeper insights into the Philippine folk traditions and culture.
The exhibit is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Admission: Adults $10.00, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. Free to shop and stroll except during outdoor special events. For more information about WheatonArts, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.
WheatonArts strives to make exhibits, events and programs accessible to all visitors. Provide two weeks notice to accommodate needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.
The Down Jersey Folklife Center is a division of Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Bank of America Foundation. WheatonArts has also received grant support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State and from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
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