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Friday, March 29, 2024

Kalinga tattoos on exhibit

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With the emerging popularity of tattoos as a form of self-expression, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) delves into the history and tradition of this indigenous practice in Naichayu: An Architectural Exploration of the Kalinga Tattoo, on display until April 29 on the 12th floor of the School of Design and Arts.

Naichayu is the Kalinga word for skin-deep, in reference to this particular art.

The culture of tribal tattoos is examined through the time-honored style of Apo Whang Od, considered the last local traditional tattoo artist and touted by many as one of the National Living Treasures, and who has propagated the process for much of her 100 years in the small hideaway village of Buscalan.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde delves into the culture of tribal tattoos examined through the time-honored style of Apo Whang Od 

The show is curated by Center for Campus Art (CCA) Director Architect Gerry Torres, Architect Walther Ocampo, and Associate Dean Sharon Arriola.

Museo Kordilyera Director Analyn Salvador-Amores, author of Tapping Ink, Tattooing Identities, is the project consultant.

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“In recent years, the influence of popular culture, media, and fashion has led to the rise of people wanting tattoos and, for many, desiring one from the legendary Apo Whang Od. Through her popularity, the practice of tattooing was reinvigorated and has resulted in large numbers of visitors going to her village, undeniably altering the place with their presence,” Torres explains.

The resurgence of tattoo and its effect on a specific location, will be assessed in terms of culture, the environment, and the economy. The link to other foreign movements will be likewise traced, based on the use of similar patterns in textiles, pottery, jewelry and other elements of material culture.

To serve as a counterpoint and to provide cross-disciplinary response, CSB Architecture students will explore the possibilities of utilizing building surfaces for text, using this as a canvas for symbols and syntax, expressing the self and the world through installations.

Many are going to Buscalan village to be tattooed by Whang Od, the last local traditional tattoo artist

Examples from the Chris Lefteri Materials Design Lab Singapore, such as the application of polymers, glass, ceramics, metals, natural and smart textiles, will bridge the established with the contemporary in this study of patterns and meanings on skin.

Ocampo, along with Associate Dean architect Choie Funk, architects Harry Serrano and Jose Tong, Architecture Program faculty, administrators, alumni, and students will present their proposals based on the subject matter.

Robin Ravago, Gab Brioso, Mitch Lim, Jay Pelo, Lyra Tan, and Raffy Casas complete the roster.

This is a production of the  CCA Team, composed of King Ectobanez, PJ Almera, Luis Manere, Tim Adriano and Elmer Briginia.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts is at 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

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