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
