A Triumph for Maverick

I had an earlier post on what was then Maverick's upcoming exhibit, Scandalosa. And it read: "Watch out for the art exhibit, Scandalosa, on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Cafe SaGuijo on Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati.

Three female twenty-something artists decided to get together and lend a voice to their very own Millennial Generation (those born between 1980 and 2000). This privileged, gifted, and creative, yet at times confused and tragic generation has grown up amidst the money and luxury afforded by their dotcom billionaire environment, the chaos of the internet, globalization, the proliferation of mind-altering substances, the general acceptability of boozing, drugging and alternative styles of partying, and the brazen expression and brave exploration of their sexuality.

Although many millennial babies have made it very big in this world because of the options that weren't available to baby boomers and yuppies, there are sad stories to be told. The abundance of choices that confront them, the permissiveness of their society, the absence of old-school restraints have sent many spiralling into self-destruction.

These are the collateral damages of such a lifestyle; many, too painful to chronicle. All we have to do is look at Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Winehouse, and Paris Hilton, plus in our very own backyard, the now infamous Gucci Gang.

These three artists: Tara Almario, showcasing Lomography (or Low Photography, an avant garde concept of photography using low lights and slow motion techniques); Francesca Ayala, showcasing abstract and realist paintings; and Kate Santos showcasing art installations of found objects; aim to show that amidst the plenty and the privilege their generation enjoys there must exist measures of accountability and responsibility; the defining theme of their work being
"You are only as good as what you did last night."

I am happy to report that it was, indeed, a run-away success. I guess Maverick's in-your-face paintings on drunkenness, drugging, bulimia, self-harm, and experimental sex; Tara's photography on dissimulated scenes of hard partying; and Kate's Bisyo Buffet of white washed tables showcasing mind-altering substances and party paraphernalia, resonated with the twenty-somethings who flocked to Saguijo last night.

I had a lot of misgivings when Maverick broached the idea and theme of the project, which multiplied exponentially when I had first glimpsed her paintings. Amoral and disturbing were the words I used to describe them to which she replied, "Exactly, I want the shock value. These issues shouldn't be swept under the carpet anymore." She was right and from last night's show of hands, many others probably think so too. She sold half of her paintings at opening night.

The exhibit is ongoing. Please drop in.