The Meaning of Passion

A Funny Show That's No Joke

We caught the opening of PANGATAWANAN MO NAH! last night - a must MUST see group art exhibit the subject of which is Mae Paner, the performer and social critic behind the You Tube sensation Juana Change, at the Vargas Museum, University of the Philippines, Diliman.

The concept itself is vintage Juana Change - outrageous, funny, courageous, provocative and relevant. It's all about getting thin, and is a criticism of greed and excess in national life.

The solution, she says, should start with herself.

So this is the first of 2 exhibitions... It marks the beginning of her journey to get thin, towards better health, and reasonable consumption. And she literally bares herself (and her soul) in all its naked glory, thereby providing "the absolute measure of honest self-appraisal."

The exhibition’s second edition, to be scheduled before the coming elections in 2010, is intended to be a bare-faced display of whatever success she achieves or failure she suffers.

The curation of the works is equal to the task - and the list of artists participating is a virtual who's who of some of the best, and most sought-after young artists - of various media - around.
You want to know which artists to invest in? A lot of them are in this show.

Don't miss it!

PANGATAWANAN MO NAH! is curated by Marian Pastor Roces, Paner’s principal collaborator in this project; and presented by the museum development corporation she heads, TAO INC. For more information on this event, contact Glenda Puyat at 0917.350.1720 or Monchito Nocon at 0920.283.4393. For available works, please contact Tin-aw Art Gallery at 892-7522 or contact Marya: 0916-563-6687 or Dawn: 0917-534-1378.

The Fruit of our Outdoor Banner Project

Remember the art totes that we produced by recycling our outdoor banners?

Well, they've undergone yet another transformation.

We sold them, and donated the proceeds to the Padyak Project Foundation.

They, in turn, used the money to purchase a small fleet of folding bikes which will now be rented out at scandalously low rates to UP students. And they've managed to get folding bikes allowed on LRT lines 1 and 2 beginning next week!



From original artworks about the Filipino to outdoor tarp banners to one-of-a-kind tote bags to folding bikes that ultimately will help a few individuals do their small bit for the environment...

We're really really really very happy with how this Project turned out!!!

Here's to our next Outdoor Banner Project - coming in April 2010!

Someone Worth Supporting - Juana Change

“Juana Change” exposed at the Vargas Museum

Mae Paner, the performer and social critic behind the outrageous character “Juana Change” is the subject of a major exhibition at the Vargas Museum, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Thirty-six artists are presenting paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and sculptures of Paner in the nude in PANGATAWANAN MO NAH!, an exhibition that magnifies her up-front, stun tactics.

The multi-generational gathering of artists in this exhibition, is also an unusual assembly of incompatibly-minded individuals. They are — Leo Abaya, Alfredo Juan Aquilizan, Ernesto Aquino, Jr., Carlo Aranton, Elmer Borlongan, Charlie Co, Reynold de la Cruz, Kiri Dalena, Thomas Daquioag, Gilbert Daroy, Roger Dio, Cecilia, Brenda Fajardo, Egai Talusan-Fernandez, Karen Flores, Dennis Gonzales, Kawayan de Guia, Ings Isungga, Nap Jamir II, Winner Jumalon, Mark Justiniani, Irma Lacorte, Nina Libatique, Julie Lluch, At Maculangan, Joy Mallari, Norlie Meimban, Lee Paje, Jim Paredes, Benjie Reyes, Don Salubayba, Ioannis Sicuya, Christine Sioco, Boldy Tapales, Wig Tysmans and Boy Yñiguez —persuaded by divergent intellectual passions and positions towards art and politics.

Their participation in PANGATAWANAN MO NAH! rests on a shared faith in Paner’s brand of social criticism, her over-the-top humor, and the project’s bare-all motivations.

PANGATAWANAN MO NAH! is a fund-raising event to enable Paner to produce more of the “Juana Change” videos that have rocked YouTube and through it, the political landscape. “Juana” has lampooned Cha-Cha, spoofed presidentiables, and satirized gross displays of power — but also gave Paner to self-mockery. In each video, Paner presents a turned-up version of a hideous persona, who has a goody-goo, morally assaulted double. The impact of “Juana Change” on Philippine politics continues the long historical lineage of political satire in print and broadcast media in this country.

But the persona is also an unprecedented invention: “Juana” is coarse, vulgar, politically astute, quite unpleasant and love-able at the same time, and exquisitely intelligent. “Juana” is a complex character possessed of dozens of personalities.

The woman behind “Juana,” Mae Paner, is even more rivetting, as this forthcoming exhibition will reveal.

PANGATAWANAN MO NAH! is curated by Marian Pastor Roces, Paner’s principal collaborator in this project; and presented by the museum development corporation she heads, TAO INC. It opens on November 5, 2009 at 5pm at the Vargas Museum in the University of the Philippines Diliman, and runs until November 19, 2009.

For more information on this event, contact Glenda Puyat at 0917.350.1720 or Monchito Nocon at 0920 283 4393. For available works, please contact Tin-aw Art Gallery at 892-7522 or contact Marya: 0916.563.6687 or Dawn: 0917.534.1378.

Bargains! Books! Bags!

And more! CANVAS is going to be at the American Women's Bazaar this Tuesday, November 3 from 8am to 2pm at the World Trade Center along Macapagal Highway. Get a good headstart on the holiday shopping rush and visit our booth!

Get special prices on our critically acclaimed and award winning children's books. One-of-a-kind art totes and premium bags are also on display.

Your purchases will help to support CANVAS efforts to promote greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment.

See you there!.