Renaissance Gallery Celebrates 15th Anniversary Ambidextrous: The Left and the Right

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, Renaissance Gallery, a leading purveyor of non-representational art in the country, presents “AMBIDEXTROUS: THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT” which opens on June 24 till July 4 at the SM Art Center, with cocktail reception on June 25 at 6 pm.

A group exhibition of artists working in both representational art and abstraction, “AMBIDEXTROUS” shall feature the works of Hermes Alegre, Art Bermido, Remy Boquiren, Arley Carig, Addie Cukingnan, Egai Fernandez, Sam Penaso, Ronaldo Ruiz, Aner Sebastian, Valen Valero and Janice Young.

“AMBIDEXTROUS” is curated by noted art critic, writer and visual artist Cid Reyes.
The Art Center is on the 4/F, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call Margaux Romero-Oracion at mobile: 0925-555-7790.

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AMBIDEXTROUS: THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT
By CID REYES

Henry Moore, the great British sculptor, stated, “All art is abstract in one sense. Not to like abstract qualities or not to like reality is to misunderstand what sculpture and art are about … I see no reason why realistic art and purely abstract art can’t exist in the world side by side at the same time, even in one artist at the same time. One isn’t right and the other wrong.”

On the other hand, Picasso declared, “There is no such thing as abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” In fact, the greatest titan of twentieth century art who was a genius in representational painting, drove his works in the Cubist style to the very edge of abstraction.

The Renaissance Art Gallery, as part of its fifteenth anniversary exhibition, celebrates the talent of artists who might be regarded as ambidextrous, or possessing the ability to paint with either hand with equal ease or dexterity. Both hands, in this case, do not literally signify the left and the right hand, but rather, that each hand can represent representational art, and the other, abstraction.

Participating artists in “Ambidextrous” are Hermes Alegre, Art Bermido, Remy Boquiren, Arley Carig, Addie Cukingnan, Egai Fernandez, Sam Penaso, Ronaldo Ruiz, Aner Sebastian, Valen Valero, and Janice Young.

The show will be a revelation: some artists better known for their abstraction will demonstrate their skill and talent from years of academic and classical art, in works executed in a range of styles inflected by Impressionism and Magic Realism; while those whose reputations were built on the Mother and Child theme, still lifes, portraiture, or social realist figuration, can be impressive with their purely abstract works.

All this proves that, in certain individuals gifted in both styles, the division between figuration and abstraction is “porous,” allowing for the crossing of boundaries and demarcations, which are, to these ambidextrous artists, essentially non-existent.

Renaissance Art Gallery raises a toast - with two glasses of wine ! - to  celebrate the unlimited skill and talent of the Filipino artist !

Why Sleep Deprivation Leads to Junk Food Cravings

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We live in a fast-paced society where sleep deprivation has become a normal part of many people’s lives. But getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night has a bigger impact than many realize. Without adequate rest, hormones get released in different amounts, altering your appetite and the brain begins craving the high-fat foods that lead to unwanted weight gain. 

Sleep Deprivation Leaves You Hungry
When you’re sleep deprived, the body releases appetite-controlling hormones in different amounts. The brain releases larger quantities of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you feel hungrier while the hormone leptin gets released in smaller amounts, which means you don’t feel full as quickly. Your body naturally feels hungrier, making it difficult to stick with a balanced eating plan. Even though you don’t need those extra calories, you’re more likely to overeat when you haven’t gotten enough rest.
Enticing Snack Foods are Hard to Resist
Lack of sleep affects your brain in other ways too. When you’re sleep deprived, the reward center of the brain goes into high alert. It gets more rewards when you eat high-fat, sugary foods. In fact, the brain gets stimulated during sleep deprivation much in the same way it does while using marijuana. The reward center gets a bigger hit when you’re tired versus when you’re well rested. The munchies also tend to hit in the late afternoon and evening when you’re starting to feel even more exhausted after a long, sleep-deprived day. 

Make a Change for Your Health 

A solid seven hours of sleep every night supports a healthy eating plan and gives your body a chance to recover and rest. Developing good sleep hygiene, all those habits that surround your sleep is key to getting the shut-eye you need. If you need help falling asleep there are many ways to do so other than a recommended sleep supplement. Habits that can help you sleep better at night include:






Setting the Bedroom Up Right 

Your bedroom should be a sleep sanctuary, not a multipurpose space. It should be dark, quiet, and kept at a cool 60-68 degrees at night. If you wake up in the morning achy and sore, you may need a mattress that supports your preferred sleep position. Purchasing a new mattress can be pricey. If it’s not in your budget, you might want to consider a mattress topper to give an old mattress new life.


Regular Exercise 

Exercise not only creates a strong body but improves your overall health. It also wears out your body so you’re more tired at night. While you want to make exercise a regular part of your day, try to avoid strenuous activity too close to bedtime. The rise in body temperature and release of endorphins within four hours of bedtime can keep you awake long into the night.


Smart Snacking 

While you want to avoid eating a heavy meal right before bed, a light snack can be just what you need to prevent hunger pains from waking you during the night. Try to choose foods that promote sleep by helping with melatonin production like milk, cheese, almonds, and bananas.


Avoid Stimulants and Screens 

Caffeine and other stimulants can keep you wide awake if consumed within four hours of bedtime. You also want to avoid staring at a screen within one hour of going to bed. The bright, blue light from televisions, laptops, smartphones, or e-readers can be bright enough to make the brain believe it’s time to stay awake. 

Written by:

Ellie Porter
Managing Editor | SleepHelp.org
ellie@sleephelp.org

The Unintentional Spiritual Significance of the Bataan Chapel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Filipinos have always been a spiritual people, guided by their devotion to God and a constant desire to integrate wholeness and integrity into their lives. While more than 86% of the population of the Philippines is Roman Catholic, non-conforming spirituality has become a big influence in modern day life in the Philippines. An increasing number of people are turning to spirituality in a bid to reach self-actualization that will lead them to live the best life possible. There are countless places of spiritual significance situated across the country such as the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, the Regina Rica Queen of the Holy Rosary and the recently-completed Bataan Chapel that is attracting spiritual dwellers from across the world to the grasslands of the Philippines.

Built with a purpose

In April 1942 approximately 76,000 Filipino and US POW soldiers were ordered by a victorious Japanese army to commence a 100km walk towards Camp O’Donnell, an event that would eventually become known as the Bataan Death March. Barely 54,000 soldiers were fortunate enough to survive this terrible ordeal. It is near this spot that Swiss artist Not Vital chose to build a chapel that has become a refuge of spiritual serenity. 

Situated in the immense grasslands of Bataan, the 141 square-meter tall concrete chapel makes for a striking figure as it towers over the surrounding prairies.

Despite the historical significance of the chapel’s location, Vital has been exceptionally careful not to brand it as a memorial in honor of the massacre. The chapel is also not meant to be sacrosanct only to the Christian faith, despite the clear references to Christianity being depicted in a mural inside. 

Vital had infact, carefully countered this notion by the inclusion of a wooden statue of the rice goddess Bulol that hangs on one of the interior walls of the chapel. The real purpose of the chapel? To house Vital’s interpretation of the Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Where art is usually commissioned to fit a space, in this instance, the space was created to house a piece of art, and unintentionally create a haven for spiritual well-being.

Walking on water

As you enter the chapel through a door that is only big enough to allow one person to enter at a time, you will notice that the whole chapel is filled with water, giving the impression of walking on water as you head towards a mural of The Last Supper. 

According to Vital, the water also pays homage to the countless rice fields of the Philippines, starting at a depth of 20cm at the entrance and slowly decreasing as you continue up the slope towards the far wall. The light that streams into the chapel during the day creates striking patterns on the water and wall surfaces, generating an ambiance that is indubitably surreal.

Spiritual significance in abundance

The Bataan Chapel is not easy to reach where it stands on a hill in the rural region of Bagac, a wind-battered town with less than 30,000 residents. The installation’s remote location contributes greatly to its spiritual significance, making the journey there a pilgrimage of sorts. The Bataan Chapel is proof that art, even in its most abstract form, can be used as a way to express spirituality. Diana Campbell Betancourt, an American curator working in the Philippines is in awe of the structure and was quoted as saying: 

‘Bataan is a place with a very charged history - and the chapel is a beautiful attempt to heal scars from a painful past and contemplate space for a more peaceful future’.

Whether you plan to visit the Bataan Chapel for spiritual enlightening or merely out of curiosity, the trip is guaranteed to be well worth the effort. Being able to experience one of Vital’s masterpieces firsthand is bound to stir some emotion in everyone faced with its unapologetic presence. There are some pieces of architecture in the world that simply exudes spirituality, whether intentionally or not - the Bataan Chapel is undoubtedly one of them.