My first social event of the year featured dazzling, masterfully crafted kinetic sculpture masterpieces of internationally renowned artist, Ivan Co, at Gallery C of Conrad Manila. Going through all ten items at the exhibit brings you to the artist’s complex and richly detailed imaginary world.
Using semi-precious gems and metals, and employing gravity and balance to create kinetic pieces, the artist’s alluring art creations conjure grandeur, elegance, and wisdom, evoking serenity and peace for those of us taking a close look at how the component pieces move and interact with each other.
These world-class attractive pieces feature art that has never been seen before. They also deeply engross anyone with the movement of the pendulums and motivate the pursuit of higher ideals towards a more purposeful and awakened existence, as proof of how these alluring sculpture pieces impact the viewer, two of these art pieces were already sold even before the exhibit opened.
A source of pride for our country, Ivan Co is the only Filipino featured in The Official Platinum Jubilee Edition of the book celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
The artist gave us, guests, an insight into what brought him to create such original and wonderful masterpieces, “These swiveling pieces came from my innate calling to think, explore and create outside the limits of what the eyes can see.”
“As I have created and forged complex worlds in intricate detail, I found moments of solace and respite from reality. I invite you to do the same – to enter and peer into a new world and find your path to paracosm, as therein lies your grandest version and your greatest power,” he added.
Ivan Co started his artistic journey in the jewelry industry at an early age when he was exposed to his grandfather’s pearl farm in Palawan and his father’s jewelry business. He finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Arts at the DLSU College of St. Benilde before starting as a fine jewelry designer for Hoseki Jewelry Art.
While working in the family business handling operations and design, Ivan was awarded a full scholarship in 2006 at the Gemological Institute of America Hong Kong for his winning design in the international Jewelry Design Competition organized by the South Sea Pearl Consortium.
In the lobby of Conrad Manila, his biggest masterpiece is displayed. Called The Labyrinthian, it is made of brass, golden healer quartz, sunstone obsidian, glass spheres, black onyx, pearls on hand-poured resin, and solid acacia. One gets mesmerized following those attractive spheres sliding seamlessly down those complex curves. I asked him how long it took him to finish such a complicated work of art and he proudly told me, “Three years!”
“Paracosm,” Conrad Manila’s 28th edition of its highly successful “Of Art and Wine Series” launched Ivan Co’s enthralling prized pieces. Cutting the ceremonial ribbon the other night were SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. President Elizabeth Sy and Executive Vice-President Peggy Angeles, Conrad Manila General Manager Fabio Berto, guest of honor Larry Chan, and the acclaimed artist, Ivan Co.
The exhibit will run at the hotel’s Gallery C until March 16. Prices and other information on Ivan Co’s exhibit may be obtained from +632 8833 9999 or conradmanila@conradhotels.com
YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE
I decided to stop calling the bathroom “John”
and renamed it the “Jim.” I feel so much better saying, “I went to the Jim this morning.”
For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com
