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artinthefaceofdisaster · 4 years ago

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art in the face of disaster.

Art, in every form, is a source of entertainment and enjoyment. However, its purpose must not be restricted to providing amusement alone. It is also responsible for sparking countless revolutions. Creation of visual language allows the voice of the silenced to be heard. It also accounts to the controlled flow of information; it is the primary means of communication during trying times, like the occurrence of natural disasters.

Paton and Johnston (2017) states in their book “Disaster Resilience: An Integrated Approach” that an artist have the capability to create small changes in the behavior of the system. It means that visual artists can change how elements of the world are perceived. In the case of a disaster, they can utilize the medium of their art to facilitate disaster recovery. It does not only promote courage to rise despite dark clouds, but it also encourages resilience.

Here are 5 paintings and cartoons that portray the role of art during calamities/disasters in the Philippines:

1. After the Storm by Aldy Aguirre

AFTER THE STORM, ALDY AGUIRRE, 2015 – 2015, From the collection of: Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS)

This artwork depicts how Filipinos always remain positive even during tragic incidents. No matter how many houses are destroyed after strong typhoons, we still manage to hold each other tightly for assurance that we are strong enough to get up and start another day with a smile.

2. Ang Yabang Pinoy by Pio Mallari

ANG YABANG PINOY, PIO MALLARI, 2015 – 2015, From the collection of: Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS)

“May angas. May yabang,” is often said by Filipinos to increase their hopes and bravely face each storm that comes their way.

3. Thrive by Rovi Jesher Salegumba

THRIVE, ROVI JESHER SALEGUMBA, 2015 – 2015, From the collection of: Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS)

· Portrayed in the art is the resilience possessed by Filipinos. It shows a calm and composed woman holding a white dove and a flower in bloom. The former represents serenity, while the latter symbolizes the ability of Filipinos to thrive amidst disasters.

4. The Power of Prayer by Zach

THE POWER OF PRAYER, ZACH, 2020 – 2020, From the Facebook page of the artist.

· This unique art negates the idea of using mere resilience and prayers as shields from natural disasters. It gives a glimpse of how Filipinos had to deal with damage of seasonal calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic using only sheer resilience and without proper governance.

5. by Kenneth I. Bessmonte

UNTITLED, KENNETH I. BESSMONTE, 2020 – 2020, From the Facebook page of the artist.

· The recent chain of storms that hit the country had caused the artists to use their skills to reveal the nation’s current situation. The artist expresses his viewpoints regarding the government’s lack of intuition. It shows how the president addressed the effect of the typhoons to his fellow Filipinos that are in dire need of help and proper governance.

In addition to the list above, here are some other art forms that Filipinos created to create an awareness regarding disasters in the Philippines:

1. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Song by High School students

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNT1yS3UCt0

This video shows the essence of understanding disaster awareness. It aims to educate individuals that are vulnerable to disasters. This has reached approximately 37,000 views on YouTube which means that it may have reached a lot of individuals that are uneducated regarding DRRM. Through this song, numerous people are able to take a step towards safety.

2. Rise Amidst Uncertainty by David Joshua Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-vbttnBDQ

A song by David Joshua Antonio entitled “Rise Amidst Uncertainty” aims to encourage Filipino citizens to rise as one despite different calamities that the country encountered. It also promotes love as the answer to every problem.

3. Sinag by Jaben Paragsa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZaZGOn9dRQ

This song depicts how hopes in every individual rise to form a light despite the darkness. It builds a form of healing and peace. In addition, it also tells the listeners to continue to fight because every battle has an end.

4. KAPIT: A docu-theatre and live multimedia performance about Yolanda survivors by Issa Manalo Lopez and J Laspuña

Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/pilar-hidalgo-auditorium/kapit-a-docu-theatre-and-live-multimedia-performance-on-yolanda-survivors/1042923195773095/

This docu-theatre and live multimedia performance dramatizes the experiences of Yolanda/Haiyan survivors and alerts the viewers about the hardships that the underprivileged individuals experience during these trying times.

Aside from the art forms that I have mentioned above, there are also other ways to utilize art during calamities.

One of the ways that art is helpful in turning disasters into an opportunity to give is managing an auction to raise funds for the victims. Last December 12, 2019, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino has organized an event that exhibits and auctions artworks. According to Saavedra (2019), the said charity fund-raising exhibit has successfully raised P50 million and donated a total of P25 million for the victims of Typhoon Tisoy / Kammuri.

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088572

There are numerous other platforms that can be used to exhibit different artworks; the only thing that one needs is the passion and empathy to do it. If adequate number of people acquires enough eagerness to use art to help others that lack proper education concerning natural disasters, the world may be better than the world we are living in today. Regardless of art-making skills, the audacity itself to take bold risks in contributing to the betterment of the world by means of educating more individuals about the disasters that the country experience seasonally is a huge step.

#artinthefaceofdisaster

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