Admiring The Aquilizan's Ouvre at "Somewhere, Elsewhere, Nowhere" Exhibition

Art can transcend time and space, transporting us to new realms of thought and emotion. Such was the case when I visited the "Somewhere, Elsewhere, Nowhere" exhibition by the visionary artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, at Museum Macan on June 23, 2023. 

The exhibition was a veritable tour de force, featuring a range of installations that invited me to contemplate the complexities of human existence. From the use of found objects to incorporating interactive elements, the Aquilizans' work was a stunning testament to the boundless potential of art.

Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan themselves are contemporary Filipino artists who have gained international recognition for their large-scale installations that explore themes of migration, displacement, and cultural identity. They raise awareness and encourage dialogue about the social and economic realities of migration, by addressing the complex issues of migration and displacement, particularly in the context of the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Through their artworks, they highlight the experiences of migrant workers and their families, who often endure significant hardships and challenges in their quest for better opportunities. 

Their interest in sustainability and the environment also reflects in their artworks, as they often use found objects and recycled materials. They incorporate everyday objects that have been discarded or repurposed and transform them into meaningful sculptures and installations.

One of my fave artworks is "Below Kiri Langsung (Turn Left and Go Ahead)" also known as "The Left Wing Project" which is inspired by their previous residency in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The installation consists of several wings suspended from the ceiling, made of hand-forged iron sickles. The sickles were created by local metalworkers in Yogyakarta, and they are meant to symbolize the struggle for social justice and the power of collective action.

The wings themselves are meant to evoke the image of birds in flight, and they are arranged in a way that creates a sense of movement and dynamism within the installation. The use of iron sickles as the primary material for the wings also references the history of labor and agriculture in Indonesia, as the sickle has long been a symbol of peasant resistance and agrarian struggle.

"Somewhere, Elsewhere, Nowhere" exhibition opens for public until October 8, 2023 ✨

Enjoy!