LIWANAG sa Espasyo Siningdikato

Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue: 2nd Year Anniversary Celebration

PUNLA: Celebrating 2 Years of Germinating Seeds of Creativity in the Community
The 2nd year anniversary celebration of Espasyo Siningdikato, Inc.

PARISUKAT: Group Art Exhibit + Art Raffle + Dance + Music + Performance Art +Poetry Reading + Multi-media + Books & Anikcessories Sale + Project Presentation: EspasyoZine 2


ART RAFFLE TICKETS
are now available for 100PhP only

you have a chance to win Art works by

Lirio Salvador
the Syjuco Family
Alrashdi Mohammad
Sarah Angela Marie Geneblazo
Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador
Mel Araneta
Heidi Sarno
Jon Romero
and other renowned Filipino Artist
+ items from
grafittee shirts
dighay-gulay
anikcessories
sonic mind fields
paper monster press
and souvenirs from other participating artists

come and celebrate with us on July 9, 2011 starting at 3pm

PINOISE: Grafitti Sound Art (creating sensible street noise)
with performances by:
Elemento
Gentle Universe
Cosmopolitan Smoke Stabs
Ugong
Lakbay-Lahi
Juan Isip
Go for the Goat
Organikong Halimaw
Pat Sarabia
De La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company
E.X.I.S.T.
Jean Paul Zialcita
Minimalogic
Tanghalang Pascual Poblete
Toshiyuki Seido
Cavite Young Writers Association
Electric Underground Collective
and other surprise guests

ESPASYO SININGDIKATO creatiVenue
an abode for passionate and creative souls

Espasyo Siningdikato: a space the size of a dream

By Ricky A. Clores

Space. This is the heart of what Espasyo Siningdikato is. Espasyo, as the place is commonly called provides simply that—a space, a niche, a corner, where anyone who has a knack for art expression is given, well, a Espasyo.

Is this revolutionary, or charity or both? Somehow, Espasyo is a statement (just observe the reactions of passersby along the Gate 1 of Lasalle-Dasmariñas), or a cry perhaps, or a shout, not of desperation, not of death but somehow of love, of hope, of inspiration towards providing a space for artistic expressions. Indeed, this takes premium considering the commercialized and highly materialistic lives we live.
In Espasyo, there is a demand for excellence, but the demand is not institutionally driven. The drive for excellence is somehow very personal, sometimes even selfish, yet at the same time generous. Here in Espasyo, you can meet a young artist driven out by school by sheer exhaustion, but anyhow would want to “make” it. If you have the ears to listen closely, you can feel the passion, the inspiration and the drive, not of someone defeated by the large institutions, but by the voice of one who dares to change the landscapes of our inner and outer world.
Quite often, if not always, in Espasyo, the artists “perform” for free. If generosity is rare among artists, certainly not in Espasyo. In Espasyo, you can surely meet artists who have been doing free, if not pamasahe-lang performances for decades. Not that these artists eat grass. I suspect that the expression and yes appreciation of their arts feed them, energize them, and like water and air, sustain them.
Espasyo Siningdikato. If you keep on repeating the name, you will notice the creative, even subversive, almost wicked tone to it. Some not-so-ordinary wizard, or mangkukulam or babaylan, if you may, must be behind it. The name also calls reference to some bandits, or gangs, or fraternity. If your mother asks you where you have been, you will certainly have second thoughts of reciting the name for fear of not being understood.
Who are the people behind and in Espasyo? You can call them artists, would-be-artists, even nakikisakay-lang-na artists. Or, you can go to the particulars: painters of all stripes and colors, musicians of various genre and suasions, mime actors, poets, writers, performance artists, dancers, sound artists, music lovers, DVD-DVD enthusiasts, movie critics, etc., etc.
If the list frightens you, you should be. Because apart from creativity and art being their staple food, you can’t simply box them. Their interests vary. Their causes range. Their gender identity is sometimes hard to track down.
If you have the idea that Espasyo must have the size of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, given the varying creatures visiting the place, come to Espasyo. As always, size is a poor measurement of force and impact. Somehow, to Espasyo, size is an understatement.
When you visit Espasyo, talk to the people, ask about their dreams, and inquire about their vision. If you want, you can even mount your own art exhibit. Then, you might come to the conclusion that Espasyo is actually the size of a dream.

ART FOR ALL by GILBERT S. SANCHEZ

Normally when we think of art galleries and art spaces, the thoughts that automatically come to mind are: marble tile floors, art pieces with instructions “Please do not touch” and strict dress codes for visitors. However, there are a couple of art spaces that are sort of breaking the norms of how we experience art.

ESPASYO SININGDIKATO creatiVEnue

Located just a few meters away from the Gate 1 of DLSU Dasmariñas campus, is an art space owned by artists for artists. Espasyo is a place where one can experience the ambience of a gallery but with the warmth of a cozy Beatnik café. Aside from being an art space, Sonic Mind Fields of Espasyo is a mini library selling hard to find books. On its rear left you will find ANIKcessories, a stall that sells ethnic wear and indigenous musical instruments. Espasyo also has a vegetarian themed café, Dighay Gulay.

Why Espasyo?

Siningdikato is originally a production outfit which aims to showcase Cavite based artists.

In 2009, Mary Anne Jimenez- Salvador an artist and a librarian at DLSUD with her husband Lirio Salvador an artist likewise, put up a “space” where the Sinigdikato can perform.

KALYE GALLERY

Located at Estrada Street near DLSU Manila, Kalye is the total anti-thesis of everything an art gallery is. Unlike conventional galleries, Kalye is a makeshift art haven situated inside a converted garage/bodega, with art pieces hung or plastered directly on its walls, graffiti and junk art installations. According to Elmer Acebedo, the owner and operator of this one of a kind gallery, Kalye has been envisioned since the late 1980’s but came to life early this year. Its main purpose is to showcase the works of every artist within their reach and would also want to exhibit. This does not normally happen to any other galleries since they only cater to established artists.

Why Kalye?

According to Pinoy punk icon Bobby Balingit, also one of the people behind Kalye, it was named this way because literally it’s just outside the street. Here art pieces are exhibited solely as art works without being “academized”.

As of this writing, Kalye is the only gallery that is functioning and operating outside the norm of the art elite. More power to Kalye Gallery.

Espasyo Siningdikato CreatiVenue and Kalye Gallery are the two remaining beacons of light burning bright in this dark age of artsy-fartsy mediocrity. –GSS

Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue

"Creativity is a human quality we are all gifted with" wrote Ernest Tan in his book Human Creativity in 1990. "This human quality help empowers individual to bring about POSSIBILITIES! With possibilities, we can explore new dimensions of our self, our life and begin to discover alternates for a better life, better relationships, better life projects - a better world."

According to Tan "Without possibilities our lives and our world would be dull. There would be no growth, no change. Everything would stay as is. We would be deprived of finding newness in our everyday existence. We must therefore cherish this human quality that we have and nurture it!" ... we must constantly be in touch with our creative potentials and allow it to grow through continuous learning, sharing and discovering.

This is the reason behind the creation and foundation of Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue. Espasyo serves as an abode for passionate and creative souls. It functions as an alternative space to showcase creative output. A home to nurture creativity and artistic ability. A dwelling place to discover one's innate potential and a platform for brainstorming and exchange of ideas and issues relevant to creativity and artistry.

Siningdikato was conceived by a loose group of artist in 2006. The name is concoction of the English words "art" and "syndicate" and literally means collective individuals formed to engage and promote a common interest — "the arts". The group launching exhibit - performance was held in FAB Resto Bar in Malate, Manila for the whole Month of May 2006. It was followed by a series of simultaneous exhibitions and performances in Cavite and Manila: May 12 to June 9 at Frontera Grill and Restaurant, May 18 to June 15 in Boom City, both located in Cavite City and on June 10 to 24 at the Greenvine Bar and Restaurant in Ermita, Manila. The group also held visual, literary and sound exhibit at the Future Prospects formerly located at Shop 62–63 Marikina Shoe Expo, Cubao Quezon City.

The need for a headquarter where everyone can have some fun while helping each other is another reason for the realization of Espasyo Siningdikato. It also hopes to enliven the art scene in Cavite through the help of friends, both here and abroad.

Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue is for everyone who is committed and dedicated to his/her craft and those whose desire is a colorful journey in life.

- by MariANA/070509

Tan, E. (1990). Human Creativity. Manila: Dorokelsa Ent.