Polvo May 2005

Varnish: a gallery intervention
Paola Cabal

OPENING FRIDAY May 20, 2005 from 6-10pm
May 20- June 11

When light touches a reflective surface, it seldom makes an exact, mirror-like image of itself; on the horizontal surfaces beneath our feet in particular, what we perceive more often resembles a "path" of light, rather than a "point". It is moreover a path that shifts with our own movements across these planes, revealing the textures inherent to the surface it is reflecting from as it does. "Varnish", an upcoming gallery intervention at Polvo by artist Paola Cabal, investigates this light beneath our feet. By modifying the gallery space directly, Cabal will consider the viewer's perceptual relationship to these light "paths". Continuing and expanding upon the artist's ongoing exploration of light, Paola Cabal is creating "Varnish" to address questions about the specificity of a place to itself versus the specificity of a place to a perceiving body.

BIO
A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Paola Cabal moved to the U.S. with her family as a young child. An artist whose practice is divided between gallery and public projects, Cabal earned her BFA in visual art from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she was awarded a Carnegie Centennial Award by the city's Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History for a public mural project she completed there. Cabal was artist in residence at the Gimnasio del Norte School in Bogotá, Colombia before completing her MFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003. Her work has been exhibited in Chicago, Omaha, Ft.Lauderdale, and- most recently- Charleston as well as in Bogotá, Colombia. She is currently at work on a public project in Chicago, IL, where she lives and works.

12" x 12" mini-installation projects
this month's artist: Michael Capapas

i want to be white
installation
Michael Capapas, 2005

This work is about exploring Filipino culture and identity in the context of colonial mentality. For a long time, I too suffered from colonial influence and sang about ‘snow and chestnuts roasting on the open fire’ without ever having seen snow or chestnuts. I have many times prayed in front of the cross for the White Angels to save me from Black demons. I was born in Manila in 1971 and immigrated to Australia in 1982. Whilst growing up I was fully aware of how the color of one’s skin can have an adverse effect on one’s self. I was often told that lighter colored skin (mestizo) is best, because it shows that you have Spanish ancestry and therefore have superior race.

Filipino’s lack of ethnic pride may stem from the following: early indigenous agrarian tradition; the assimilation of ancient Chinese and Muslim customs; and the subsequent absorption of Spanish colonial and thereafter American influences. These experiences, which continue to haunt and define the Filipino psyche, explain the reluctance of Filipinos to say they are Filipino. Maybe that is why there are so many Philippine mestizo movie stars and models. The influence of these cultures is evident in the Spanish and American surnames and the religion. The Philippines in fact, acquired its name and its majority religion as a result of the actual occupation and colonization of the islands in the latter part of the 16th century. The American colonial period, followed after some three centuries of Spanish rule.Among many other influences, U.S. introduced western models of educational and health-care systems which reinforced elitism and a colonial mentality that persists to this day, mixed with the Spanish feudal patron-client relationship. Americans used education as an enticement -- education having been virtually denied the Filipinos by the Spanish friars. U.S policy of integration through education led the use of the English language as the medium of communication in business and government. Gradually, command of English was used as a gauge of superior intelligence.

Whitening lotion products, according to many manufactures, are designed to whiten dark colored skin complexions. I wanted to create a mock version of a whitening lotion to explore the issue of Filipino identity and culture which is muddled by colonial mentality. Many Filipino have longed for a much whiter complexion, wanting to be part of the ruling elite.

Many companies use national heroes to promote their products. In a different and contradictory way I have chosen to use a famous Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu who made an important contribution to the fight against western aggression and domination. Lapu-Lapu vanquished an explorer named Magellan, in the battle of Mactan. By using his name in a whitening product the contradiction between the desire to be white and the desire for a Filipino identity is explored. This new Lapu-Lapu has a whiter complexion and displays a Cross symbolizing the values and restrictions imposed by ruling elite, family, tradition and religion experienced by many Filipinos today.

I was an artist in Residence 2002-2004 at the Footscray Community Arts Center (Hydra Studios), Melbourne, Australia. In August 2004, I exhibited at the Zone Industrial group exhibition at Gabriel gallery, Melbourne, Australia. In the same year I was part of the South Project work which was shown at Sidney Myer Center, Melbourne Australia and on a bus shelter in the centre of Melbourne. Prior to this in 2003 my work was selected to participate in an exhibition for 2003 Philippines in Victoria Festival held at the Gabriel gallery. In 2001 I was involved in the group exhibition titled Shelter and Growth at the Goya Gallery in Fitzroy, Melbourne. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at The University of Melbourne (Victorian College of the Arts) in 2000. In 1999, I was part of a group show at the Center of Contemporary Photography in Melbourne.

also a mini-exhibit: Maria Bouquet

Maria E. Bouquet is an artist living in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Maria just graduated from her Master in Fine Arts at Pratt Institute. She has exhibited her work in New York, NY, Brooklyn, DC, Washington, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Barcelona, Spain.

opening night may 20, 2005 @ polvo