Arts and Culture Roundup: What’s on in theaters and galleries this week

Exhibits

Disfigure
ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, Makati City
Ongoing until May 16

Disfigure refers to the act of bringing damage to quality or appearance, or transforming something into a less desirable condition. Visual artist Johanna Helmuth appropriates this word as the overarching theme of her new works that explore how self, social life and relationships are marred by factors that taint their ideal function. 

In her first solo show, Helmuth’s paintings on display – executed in her characteristic muted palette and highly textured surfaces – show haunting figures of dominance and subordination, apathy, suffering, contempt and distrust, weakening of the family and other social bonds, and the self-succumbing to the pressures of living up to social standards. 

Contact the gallery coordinator at (02) 759-8288 or email artistspace@ayalafoundation.org for more details on this show. 

Light in the Darkness
Yuchengco Museum, Makati City
Ongoing until June 18

For the first edition of Yuchengco Museum’s exhibition series dubbed “Choices: Collections of the Personal exhibitions” – which will showcase rarely seen artworks from the private collections of esteemed art collectors, artists and creative personalities –it features the works of Filipino artist Danilo Arriola.

Currently on display are Arriola’s paintings and drawings from his collection and his first patron, Architect Dan Lichauco’s collection. The painter and his collector both pursued architecture at the University of Santo Tomas and both share the love for classical images. Arriola’s distinct style is painting everyday images using a chiaroscuro technique that creates intense light and shadows on the subjects. Lichauco has been collecting Arriola’s work since the latter was a student at UST. 

For more information on this show, call (02) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.

Finale 33rd Anniversary Show
Finale Art File, Makati City
Ongoing until May 28

Eighteen contemporary visual artists come together to showcase their current series of artwork in celebration of the 33rd anniversary of Finale Art File gallery. 

From a section of the Finale Boutique at the Atrium building in Makati City, specializing in the sale of works on paper, Finale has moved and evolved several times since the early 1980s. Over the years, the art gallery has represented modern Filipino artists such as Ang Kiukok, Romulo Olazo, Malang and Cesar Legaspi, among others. 

It continues to hold regular solo and group exhibition supporting both established and emerging artists. And for its anniversary show, Finale highlights the diverse range of recent works produced by its current roster of contemporary artists: Amy Aragon, Annie Cabigting, Lyra Garcellano, Wire Tuazon, Keiye Miranda, Robert Langenegger, Redd Nacpil, Ian Quirante, Carlo Gabuco, Bembol Dela Cruz, Ranelle Dial, Liv Vinluan, Paulo Vinluan, Jeona Zoleta, Carlo Villafuerte, Catalina Africa, Nikki Ocean and Kim Oliveros.

Visit www.finaleartfile.com to know more about this ongoing exhibition.

ForeWorld
B-Side at The Collective, Makati City
May 13

At a time when the changes in our planet due to its old age and the collective damage inflicted by its inhabitants are becoming more apparent, concerned citizens are working together to ensure that the next generations can still enjoy its wonders. The Voice Within and The Daily You join forces to present this fair that features spoken word, music and gallery that aims to raise awareness on the current state of the environment. 

White Wall Poetry will take over the stage for their spoken word performance. Music is courtesy of former Imago vocalist Aia de Leon, Paula Alcasid and OTM band. The Standard Life photographer Star Sabroso, together with Kay Moran and Marvin De Guia, will exhibit their chosen works. 

Tickets for the one-night fair are priced at P200 (inclusive of one bottle of beer). Proceeds will go to ATD Fourth World Philippines. Visit ForeWorld PH on Facebook for inquiries and more details on this event

Films

Macbeth
Cinema 3, Greenbelt 3, Makati City
May 10, 6:30 p.m.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines closes the 3rd season of its Met Opera in HD with the showing of Met Opera’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth. 

Written by William Shakespeare, this tragedy chronicles the story of Scottish general Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that he will one day become King of Scotland. Russian soprano Anna Netrebeko sings her first North American performance of the charismatic villainess in Verdi’s production, and completing the starry cast are Željko Lučić as Macbeth, Joseph Calleja as Macduff and René Pape as Banquo. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi conducts the show. 

As an added feature, backstage tours and interviews with the performers and artistic staff will be shown during the intermission. 

For more information, call Greenbelt 3 cinemas Customer Service Hotline at (02) 757-7883 or CCP Sales and Promotions at (02) 832-3706 or e-mail ccpsalesandpromo@gmail.com.