Ayala Museum’s OpenSpace: Voltes V and the Martial Law Art-ified

Philippine Primer got the chance to volt in with Toym Imao as the Ayala Museum launched its newest exhibition area.

–

A CAROZZA-LIKE INSTALLMENT, Last, Lost, Lust for Four Forgotten Episodes, stands tall in all its 13-foot glory at OpenSpace. Photo courtesy of the Ayala Museum

–

On May 14, 2015, the Ayala Museum launched its new outdoor exhibition area, OpenSpace at the Ayala Museum Plaza. It aims to bring art beyond the walls of its galleries and out to the public eye.

“[It is] a public site for dialogue and interaction with contemporary art and artists,” described Ayala Museum Senior Curator Ditas Samson during the launch.

–

MARCOS’ HALF BUST shows how Philippine history heavily influences the art scene in the country.

–

For its first exhibit, Ayala Museum invited Filipino artist and sculptor Toym Imao to exhibit, Last, Lost, Lust for Four Forgotten Episodes, a breathtaking installation that depicts life during the Philippine Martial Law.

–

THE MULTIMEDIA VISUAL ARTIST at OpenSpace

–

“[Ayala Museum] offers the best possible exposure of the sculpture to the public,” Imao said and added that Last, Lost, Lust for Four Forgotten Episodes is a message that the people need to bring out to the youth for them to be curious and be aware of the country’s history.

–

TOYM IMAO explains what his artwork is about.

–

Voltes V and Martial Law – these are the two things that drove Imao into creating his artwork that is deeply inspired by his childhood love for Japanese animation and memory during the Martial Law years. The monument embodies multiple imagery depicting the Marcos regime, referencing to Voltes V characters. The famous anime mecha series was cut off the air during the Martial Law in the 70s, causing much ire to the youth back then, including Imao himself.

–

WITH HIS PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO DETAIL, Toym Imao does his Japanese anime reference justice.

–

Last, Lost, Lust for Four Forgotten Episodes is now being displayed as the main attraction at the Ayala Museum Plaza until June 15. The artwork was initially installed at the AS Steps of Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman. It is the first installment of three sculptures, with a Mazinger Z-inspired installation as the second one coming later this year and a Kingdom Daimos-inspired one as the third and final installment.

–

“IT WILL LOOK FABULOUS OUT IN THE NIGHT!” When the night sky finally came, Last, Lost, Lust for Four Forgotten Episodes then showed its true beauty as Curator Ditas Samson claimed.

–

Article by Karj Lucena

Photos and captions by Madeline Castillo

Additional photos by Aki Ochiai and Francine Castillo

–