ISANG DAANG KATAO, ISANG DAANG TAKA
Project
Description:
The
100 KATAO 100 TAKA was an exhibition project mounted to support the
conservation of the Asian Center’s ethnographic collection. Proposed
by MANLILIKHA ARTISANS’ SUPPORT NETWORK and co-sponsored by the UP Asian
Center, the project formed part of the Center’s university centenary
celebration. As a fundraising
event, the proceeds from the auction benefit the Asian Center and
MANLILIKHA’s heritage preservation and outreach activities.
The mounting of 100 KATAO 100 TAKA was likewise a demonstration of
MANLILIKHA’s cause of seeking an interaction between crafts-making
traditions and contemporary art practice.
The taka (Paete, Laguna term for papier-mâché), is a surviving tradition in the said town, which started out as wood carving site. Hence, its name, Paete, derived from the local term for chisel or paet. Generations upon generations of townsfolk have made a living out of the craft, finding markets for the taka both locally and internationally. Presently, the tradition comes under threat with the youth distracted by prospects of moving to the big cities and even out of the country to find employment. Some taka-making families have traded or sold their old taka’an or taka-making moulds for quick cash. Moreover, as wood becomes more costly and scarce, sources for new taka’an become difficult to come by.
MANLILIKHA believes in preserving this tradition, amidst the many threats it faces. One course by which it sees a potential and future is by facilitating an interaction between contemporary art practice and this local tradition. In this way, not only is the craft elevated to a new level of reckoning but it also opens up a path for the tradition to be preserved by seeking advocates to its conservation. In turn, the tradition and the tradition-bearers are offered a support to continue with the craft, despite the odds.
100 taka pieces were handed out to 100 personalities, most of whom are contemporary visual art practitioners, for them to dress up the taka as they please. The finished taka pieces were exhibited and auctioned off at the Sala’am Conference Hall of the UP Asian Center from 5 to 20 September 2008. The event was promoted through the print media and at the MANILIKHA website: www.manlilikha.org. Earlier during the year, MANLILIKHA gave a sneak preview of the exhibition at Ayala Westgrove’s arts and crafts festival organized by a culture and arts organization, Amicae, Inc. Some of the submitted works were exhibited together with MANLILIKHA’s crafts items for sale.
A book was also produced and launched on exhibition opening day. It contains information about the organizers of the project—MANLILIKHA and the Asian Center, the exhibition project, and the 100 participants.
The Participants:
Lasse & Maricar HOLOPAINEN Abdulmari IMAO
DAKILA:
KSKP:
NEO-ANGONO:
Participate in our
POST-AUCTION FUNDRAISER
You can still purchase any of the taka pieces in stock.
Click on the link below.
Photos:
Exhibition:
Takas to be exhibited were gathered within a period of two months. The Asian Center’s Sala’am Conference Room storage room and the Romulo Hall mezzanine floor served as storage spaces. Construction of the modules took one week and exhibition installation from 3 to 5 days. To save on manpower cost, MASN members did the electrical work and assembling of the modules. The Neo-Angono Artists Collective took one day to set up its set of takas.
The exhibition committees were filled up by UA&P students. Committees formed were: physical arrangement, food, reception, lights, exhibition guiding, and book sales. UA&P students met weekly for one month at the Asian Center premises.
The exhibition opened on 5 September 2008 at the Asian Center. Vice-Chancellor Lorna Paredes and Dean Aileen S.P. Baviera represented UP at the opening ceremonies. MASN Chairman Manuel Icasiano and Amparo Fabe from Fabe Books and Publications were also in attendance. Dr Matthew Santamaria served as Master of Ceremonies. Igal traditional numbers with kulintangan playing formed part of the exhibition opening program, as well as the presentation of the 100 KATAO 100 TAKA book copies to the exhibition participants.
Auction:
The auction took place on 20 September 2008. 25 pieces were sold.
The remaining taka pieces will be put up for sale through MANLILIKHA’s website, direct sale, or through consignment with art galleries. By the end of 2009, all taka pieces left unsold will form part of the collection of MANLILIKHA and Asian Center.
Beneficiaries:
Beneficiaries from the exhibition project include the Paete, Laguna taka-makers and the Asian Center’s ethnographic collection. Immediate MASN heritage efforts will be directed to the fabrication of traditional taka’an (taka mould) forms like the country maiden to continue the production of traditional taka objects, which have become scarcely produced due to damaged or lost taka’an. Copies of the 100 KATAO 100 TAKA book have been presented to the active taka-makers of Paete. Part of the proceeds will also be channeled to conservation and exhibition projects that would highlight the Asian Center’s ethnographic collection. Proposals for concrete projects are forthcoming and will be presented to the Asian Center once completed.
Devenben Enterprise Corp.
Linda I. Salvador
Careline Products Inc.
Consul Eduardo de Guzman/Sky Freight Brokerage Inc.
Sampaguita Auto Transport Corporation
GMJ 2005 Construction and Development Corp.
AFV Consulting Group International
Mercury Drug-Cooper and Sikatuna Branch
Mark Timoty Pineda/X-lite
Elite Blend International
WORK SYSTEMS Inc
Pulp Magazine
HYPERSHOT
Cruz and Reyes Law Office
Sunrich Manufacturing Corp
HOME MARK
CRUZ and REYES Law Office
Antonio and Natividad Zalamea /AMA Computer College
Grand Success International Venture
Vhelet General Corp.
Bureau of Customs
Eucar Service Center
Shanzetle's Café
Eye and Skin Clinic
SATLINK
Eurochemicals
Andy's Rose Garden
PROMAC
Digital Dodge Inc
Pepsi
Chrabarti Family - Pepsi Cola
Plaridel Products and Services Inc.
MESALA
Nuevo Fresco Marine Trading Corp.
Ruble Systems Corp.
Reckitt Benckiser Philippines, Inc
Hiils and Vine Trading
Ayyu Builders
Asian Hills Bank
La Vina General Hospital
Fortune Teller
Del Rosario Bagamasbad Rabocs
Ace Top General Merchandise
Sport Basic
Iluminada & Robert of Klintsberg
Myra Jimenez Water Specialist
Jollibee
Nixzam
Travel Agency
Ezcomm
Fiesta
Hardware
7
Senses Spa
Print-All
Digital Printing
Globe
Janine Sy Sio
Atty. Benjamin Paulino
Leonisa C. de la Llana
Edgar Salvador
Gerry Gabriel
Francisco P. Garcia
Ringo Chan
Koji Kobayashi
Alfred Natividad
Kevin Reyes
Noel Rios
Andrew Zalamea
Evante Lemi
Jerry Gabriel, etc.
Jose Miguel Vasquez
Mrs. Susan Nunez
Maria Esperanza Evasco
Cring Cring Aguirre
Virgilio F. Angeles
Antonio
Eliezar
Josie
Vilchez
Annie del Corpus
Ma. Cielo Montemayor MD
Aurora Valdes MD
Lawrence Hermes Rimorin
Charito Kazemi
Ruth David
Nixon Hao
Aldric Marie B. Manrique
Ronwell Tristan F. Lim
Ruben Sapitula
Rosalie Lee
Clavel Supleo
Noemi Lopez
Amy Tuason
Rosario Torres
Geosle PAscual
Doris Victoria
Elvira Olayer Fernandez
Maria Victoria Benavidez
Mr.Alvin Ty Sr.
Brian Baria
Adrian John Lim
Homer Flores
Cherry Mear
Mariz Mendoza
Leonisa
C. de Llana
Arthur
Luis Florentin
Ruth
David
Nixon
Hao
Elizabeth
T. Cruz
Ma.
Rosario I. Suck
Baby Ignacio
Ms.
Solvi Nubia
Omar
Aguilar
Frederik
Piedad
Badilis
Family
Brian
Cedric Mendoza
Marieta
Verba
Vanga
Family
Mr.
and Mrs. Lu
Mr.
Bert Pangan
Maria
Belinda Custodio
Dr.
Rolando Dy
Clabel
Supleo
Bong
Ramirez
Charito
Kazemi
Edna
Talery
Rosalie Lee
Nomil Lopez
Reginald and Daisy Lim
