KRISTO y KRISTOS

PRESENTED BY:
Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/TIME/ VENUE:
Opening reception: 22 March, Wednesday, 6pm
Artist talk: 7 April, Friday, 4pm
Exhibit duration: 22 March to 30 April 2017
Pasilyo Victorio Edades (4F Hallway Gallery)

The regular viewing time for gallery exhibits is from 10:00AM to

6:00PM but it is extended during performances in theaters and
other performance venues up to the first interval of the show.

DESCRIPTION:
The central theme of the exhibit revolves around the concept of the image of
Christ as portrayed by the residents of Manila. The artist explores his concept
by immersing in the community of artisans, fanatics and devotees who
themselves are enthralled in its symbolic nature. Quiapo, Manila will be the
focal point of the immersion due to its long and rich history with the Black
Nazarene. Residents of the area will be consulted in order to gain insight on
their beliefs and crafts. Fontanillas learning will be translated into works
inspired by the Christs of the streets (mga kristo ng lansangan). Furthering
the idea, the exhibit aims to illustrate the contrast between the different
depictions of Christ in Manila, that that despite having metaphorical
similarity, their natures could not be more distant.

Having experience in fields including entrepreneurship, events and logistics,

education, and most notably, art, Auggie Fontanilla is a true Renaissance
man. He draws inspiration from icons of Americana, gangs, and prison
emblems, meshed with Filipino religious heritage. A graduate of the
University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, Auggie joins a unique
class of talent produced by one of the countrys most prestigious and well-
respected universities. His professional career began in the publishing
industry with a 6-year tenure as an art director. Now his career continues as
a college professor teaching Multimedia Arts. Apart from his occupation, he
also co-owns a creative studio and clothing company called THE Clothing.

As an artist, his roots can be traced to his days of graffiti and sticker
slapping, which he still maintains. From this came his membership in the
street art collectives KST, and Pilipinas Street Plan, which he co-founded in
2006. One of his practices includes keeping a journal containing his
drawings, reminiscent of old school tattoo flashes. It is his escape from the
drudgery of work and the monotony of everyday. It also serves as the core
principle behind one of his projects named Pagasa (Hope). Auggie sees this
expression as his way of releasing his frustrations and maintaining hope that
his future as an artist is not defined by the existential question of what
now?