The Museo Cariño, built by Ambassador Jose Maria A. Cariño, ‘houses more than 20 original works by Juan Luna including his only surviving sculpture, a portrait in Carrara marble of his son Luling’
CEBU, Philippines – A large dragon made of driftwood and recycled materials dominates the space in between buildings at the Oakridge Business Park, stopping people in their tracks as if in thrall by the mythical beast. By its scale and beauty, “The Bearer of Infinite Blessings” is more monument than installation, the latest work of driftwood sculptor James Doran-Webb.
The 6-meter dragon weighs over 2.5 tons and took 15,000 hours to create. It was displayed at Garden’s by the Bay in Singapore for Chinese New Year and in the United Kingdom. This weekend, it stands guard outside the venue of Visayas Art Fair, protecting the treasures inside.
Among those treasures are the works of Filipino greats Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, on exhibit by Museo Cariño, the much-talked about cultural destination in the mountains of Cebu that is still to open to the public. It was built by Ambassador Jose Maria A. Cariño, who said during the opening why he chose to build the museum here in Cebu.
“You know, this thing about small fish in a big pond, a big fish in a small pond. Well, that’s partly true. But it’s mostly because 40 years ago, I came to Cebu and I fell in love with Cebu,” Cariño said. “I mean, 30 minutes you’re on the beach, 30 minutes you’re up in the mountains. Hey, you guys have got it so good.”
Cariño, who was stationed in Madrid, said it took him 20 years to build his museum “because I’ve had to make money, little by little.” He said it will finally open in December.
The Museo Cariño “houses more than 20 original works by Juan Luna including his only surviving sculpture, a portrait in Carrara marble of his son Luling who became an architect and who designed the Crystal Palace in Manila,” according to information provided by the gallery.
Luna’s “Ut Diligatis Invicem” is on exhibit at the Museo Cariño booth. The work is “a multi-figured, complex painting by Luna in the mold of the Spoliarium and the Hymen o Hymenee,” the gallery said.
Also displayed in their booth is The Galician Coast, painted in 1880.
The work, according to the museum, “is Hidalgo at his neo-classical best, painting one of his favorite subject matters, the sea. Hidalgo understood the power of Nature and the sea , this painting shows how powerless and minuscule man is compared to his environment. In this painting, Hidalgo displays his mastery of chiaro-oscuro. While the scene seems to foretell an impending storm, the shafts of sunlight on the shore and the clouds speak of a brighter day. The force of the crashing waves seem quite menacing but are ignored by the two fishermen in the foreground who are used to the dangers of the Galician Costa da Morte (Death Coast).”
Museo Cariño is also exhibiting El Cochero ( The Coachman) by Miguel Zaragoza, The Rose Garden by Félix Martínez, Lady in the Garden by Fabián dela Rosa, and The Holy Family with a Lamb (copy of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) by Simon Flores.
Artists from all over the country are exhibiting at the Visayas Art Fair, including National Artist Kidlat Tahimik. Also joining the exhibit is Kublai Millan, an artist from Davao City.
“We are reminded of the unwavering spirit of the region’s artists and the enduring power of art to inspire, connect, and transform,” said Tess Rayos del Sol, Head of the National Committee on Art Gallery of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
“This year we face a unique challenge, right? The emergence of competing art fairs may seem daunting, but it is precisely these challenges that test our resolve and drive us to innovate. We must view this not as a threat, but an opportunity to further elevate the standards of our fair and showcase the unique artistic identity of the Visayas,” said del Sol.
A few buildings away from the fair is the Bodega Design Caravan, which showcases furniture, home furnishings, fashion, and accessories. It is organized by the Cebu Culture Art and Design Foundation.
Both the Visayas Art Fair and Bodega Caravan were held until November 24. They were under the umbrella of the rebranded Cebu Design Week Inc., now known as the Cebu Culture Art and Design Foundation (CCADF). – Rappler.com
Max Limpag, a freelance journalist based in Cebu, is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.
