{degrees of separation}

{degrees of separation}
- phases and reflections in mediascape -
21 to 24 November 2008
Mag:net Gallery Katipunan

A multimedia installation featuring the works of:
Joy Aquino (Philippines)
Renan Ortiz (Philippines)
Royston Tan (Singapore)
Curated by Merv Espina

Organized in line with the 5th Annual Southeast Asian Cinemas Conference – Manila 2008

{degrees of separation} illustrates incremental associations of human society through media and technological devices. From the private and intimate confines of personalized sound environments, to quirky explorations of “closeness” and the limits of personal space, to the phases and faces of “the-world-at- large” as brought to us by media personas chanting in glorious gobbledygook— it's not as much as what separates the other, but what each reflects into each.

On Royston Tan's absent e e (2005)
A subtle take on personal sound environments featuring the sounds of The Observatory.
*The audio for this installation can be heard through any FM radio receiving device set to FM 107.3 within a 30-ft radius of the gallery.
[1 channel, radio transmitter]

On Joy Aquino's Flesh, Bones and Ants (2007)
Between entities, there is always an itch—a dormant restlessness waiting to be revealed, an oblivious hankering waiting to be defined. And if these entities are strangers standing face-to-face with only an inch of distance between their noses for an entire minute, and if it is this proximity that separates one definition from another, how close then is “close”? And how much farther should we go in this “closeness” so we actually get to ourselves? The quest for answers is reflected on this project. Let us stare at these faces and into that itch that simultaneously divides and connects us with everyone else. (J. A.)
[7 channels, 6 video feeds from DVD players, 1 live feedback (video camera)]

On Renan Ortiz's Tatsulok (2007)
This video installation talks about the ability of media to mirror realities, albeit its own realities, and eventually ends up referring exclusively to itself. We all experience reality through the media, but what if the mass media becomes a simulacra of its own? Forming an illusion of creating a pyramid/paradigm through its self-reflexivity, the chorus of marionette-like TV personalities reveals the fake superstructure the media and advertising (as capitalism’s official art form) proclaim and promote. (R. O.)
[12 channels,1 video feed from DVD player, mirror]

About the Artists

Joy A. Aquino started tinkering around with her medium as a kid with a hi8—shooting home videos and simple documentaries. But it was the final scene in Erik Matti's Scorpio Nights 2 that brought her to the realization of her calling. Aquino is currently a student of the University of the Philippines Film Institute where she is continuously training in different fields of film production, video installation and conceptual photography. Her insistent curiosity about the vast possibilities of interrelation between entities and layers has lead her from one thing to another, arriving now, at the moment, to video installation. "Flesh, Bones and Ants" (2007) is one of the two installations Aquino mounted in the last two years. The other being "Rotational Illuminations In Four Parts" in October of this year. The artist looks forward to more projects in the years to come.

Renan Ortiz finished his 1st one-man show last 2007 entitled "Sandosenang Sarap or The Lies and Farce of Iñigo Ramus and the Rivet Thieves" at the West Gallery and is currently working on his second solo show. Aside from doing installations, he is also into drawing, illustrations and print. He teaches full time art for high school and is an active member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines. He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 2005 with a degree in Painting and BA Political Science from the same university in 1999. Ortiz depicts dystopia through a variety of multimedia forms, including video, sculpture, neon signs, tarpaulins, and mirror images. In these works, Ortiz tackles globalization, the effect of advertising, propaganda, and pop culture icons.

Royston Tan has been heralded as Singapore's most promising young filmmaker and the latest cult icon for Singapore. In 2001, he won the 6th MVA ASEAN Director of the Year, Silver Award. In 2002, the Singapore National Arts Council named him Young Artist of the Year. In 2003, Netpac Jury recognized Royston Tan as one of Asia's most promising Talents. Tan's first full-length feature film 15 adapted from his award winning short of the same name won the Netpac Fipresci World critic award at the 16th Singapore International Film Festival. It broke the festival's record as the fastest selling local film in the history of the festival. 15 was also the first ever Singaporean Film to be selected in the Venice Critics' Week competing the Lions of the Future Award. In 2004, 15 was also the winner of the Special Jury Award for the Deauville Asian Film Festival as well as the Best Director Award in Buenos Aires. In 2004, Royston Tan was named as one of the "Top 20 Asian Heroes" by Time Magazine for being bold, brave and remarkable in his field. Tan's willingness to push the creative envelope has made him a hero to the city's independent artists. A filmmaker with a huge cult following around the world, his retrospective show 0104, a showcase featuring all his award winning short films over the last 10 years have traveled to ICA London, Chicago, Japan and Singapore with overwhelming response. In 2005, Royston Tan's second feature film 4:30 became the first Singapore film to be funded and co-produced by NHK Japan.

{degrees of separation} runs 21 to 24 November 2008 at Mag:net Gallery, 335 Agcor Building, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The show opens at 6 pm on Friday 21 November . For details or inquiries, contact the gallery at 929-31-91 or email info@magnetgalleries.com or visit www.magnetgalleries .com

Note: Organizers would like to thank artists Francis Bejar, Gino Bueza, Redd Nacpil, Manolo Sicat of the on-going exhibition “Disquiet” for their generosity in lending the gallery space for 3 days to give way to the holding of {degrees of separation}. “Disquiet" will be reinstalled on 25 November and will run till 4 December 2008.

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ASEACC is a gathering of scholars, film practitioners and films enthusiasts from different countries in the region to primarily engage in discourse and build connections. The 5th ASEACC in Manila is hosted by the *School of Humanities of the Ateneo de Manila University* together with the *Society of Filipino Archivists for Film* and *Loyola Film Circle*, in partnership with the *National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the *New York University-Tisch School of the Arts Asia.* It is supported by UP Sining at Lipunan and by independent art spaces Mogwai Film Bar, Mag:net Cafe Katipunan and Green Papaya. Visit www.aseacc.org.