BOTEBAKALPROJECT.BLOGSPOT.COM: The Magis Complex Rooftop Mural X-Deal Commission

(Photo courtesy of Crusader Publication)

If somebody told me at least 7 months ago that Rap Batikos' tryout venue, which also used to be a skate park for local skateboard enthusiasts, and a venue for practices of various dance groups, nothing short of the amphitheater in DV Soria of course- would turn into an exclusive 3d visual art park come December 2012, I would find it very hard to believe that person. But that's exactly what's happening now.

That being pointed out, I would like to take this opportunity to share my stand on the temporary state of art as a form of self-expression for artists, & as a form of product of paid-for commissions.

This is from a perspective of a hobbyist that has been blogging about the local art movement for almost a year now, also from the perspective of someone who sought to make business in the form of a commission-based art production team & who now makes a living as a freelance graphic artist.

I, Tof of Botebakal Project, am no stranger to the ever changing equilibrium for supplies and demands in the local market. The market for art is no exception. The staying power of business establishments has been harder to identify than ever, this replaces that, and so on.

Case in point:

Last 2010 I used to invest on a commission-based art production team called "Sheetstorm Studios". The venture wasn't very successful.

This photo was a shot from what used to be the team's office space:

Fast forward to year 2012, the same room instead served as one of the several venues where Botebakal Project was interviewed for an upcoming documentary by a particular group of Xavier University Devcom students.

There was this place called Brown Box Restobar which allowed our group to play with their walls sometime in March this year.

When the month of July arrived, that very same place is already an internet cafe called Surf & Sell, where Botebakal Project co-organized a local tournament in "League of Legends".

And then there's this:

This were photos taken at what used to be "Bahay Kubo", which served as the venue for the "Patiki Wa Koy Paki Event" last June 6, 2012.

This was Bahay Kubo last July 2012, where On/Off's "Speak Your Mind Through Art " was held & participated by us:

Fast forward to November 2012 , what remains of Bahay Kubo is a closed, under-construction lot bought & owned by Ayala.

Dire Husi Initiatives was originally based in Barangay Nazareth, some three or four years ago. At present, these wall murals by various artists and affiliated art groups are the only remnants of what used to be their art house there.

The group also relocated along Corrales St. at some point , but their Dire Husi Pasalubong Center & Art Gallery also closed earlier this year.

If you remember some of our blogs from this year, you'll recognize where these shots are taken, which is also where their organization is based nowadays. An under-development soon-to-be tourist attraction Artist's Village that sits on hundred of hectares donated to group.

This was Xavier University's Magis Complex Rooftop just a few months ago. Right now, we're filled with deepest regrets for not being able to photograph every single decorated corner of it back then.

As of November 2012, most of the murals got painted over with white paint.

Surely, one couldn't help but ponder at what area of reason would it be deemed necessary to paint over a good work of art that is at the same time the product of the labor of gathered individuals who are each skilled in their craft.

( Image taken from Google )

A deal for a project involving Xavier University's "Atenista Ako Movement", Dire Husi Initiatives, & Botebakal Project actually took place before all the "painting over with white paint" took place.

We were contacted by Atenista Ako Movement to recreate the murals on the walls under a coherent theme in some sort of campaign against campus vandalism.

Deals were made. Designs were submitted and approved. Work started.

Interactions with other artists took place.

Meals were had.

Interviews were conducted.

A documentary team.

It came to our attention that rather than just being a venue for this anti-campus vandalism project, the rooftop was also serving as a venue for students' extra curricular activities that's letting them channel their creative ideas into various forms of productivity.

The fact that there'll always be people that'll continue to create after us , in the same way that we did after we've been inspired by those before us, in a seemingly sensible cycle of things, somehow gave us peace of mind & helped lightened our sentiments regarding the whole "painting over other artists' artworks" thing.

That particular realization is the message I'm trying to convey as to why I've strayed from my usual blogging style of being less wordy this time.

In other words, permanence is not assured in whatever craft or business venture we may find ourselves involved with- but since it's what has gotten us currently occupied, we migh as well make our efforts count and hope our choices and actions now will help pave the road somehow for the next generations.

Crusader Publications' Feed Your Imagination: