BY NICKIE WANG/ MANILA STANDARD TODAYPolitics and social issues are serious topics, but because of editorial cartoons, these somber matters divert attention and somehow become a form of entertainment. Thanks to the lighter yet artistic and satiric approach of cartoonists for they add humor to the most relevant issues concerning the general public.
Editorial cartoonists can affect or influence opinion without using a word or a single caption. Indeed, they are a solid force in the print media creating direct impact whenever they explain and comment on issues using their drawing pen.
In line with celebration of the Intellectual Property Rights week slated on the last week of October, Intellectual Property Philippines invited some of the most prominent cartoonists in the country in a visual feast of political and social humors depicted through comics and editorial cartoons.
The exhibit dubbed Sining, Kamalayan at Paglikha (Art, Consciousness and Creation) is a joint effort of the IPP and the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas. The exhibit mounted at the Alab Art Space located at the lobby of the IPP building will run until Nov. 20.
SKP is premier artistic organization founded 30 years ago by pioneers led by Larry Alcala. The Samahan has about 30 members composed of active and retired editorial cartoonists, comic-strip artists and illustrators. The organization’s objective is to professionalize the profession of cartoonists and to improve their plight.
The organization is also active with different advocacies and supports the Asean missions and the United Nations Millennium Development goals. It has participated in numerous exhibitions here and abroad that showcased Filipino talents.
“Cartoon art is the most popular art form in the world. Cartoons amuse us, provoke us, and make us think. Cartoons are intellectual, entertaining, and educational. It is a means of communication unique throughout the world. They deliver messages simple and profound with directness and immediacy. For generation upon generation, cartoon serves both as a mirror of times and a memory of social and political history,” Norman Isaac, one of the founding members of the SKP, said during his speech at the launching of the exhibit.
According to Isaac, SKP discusses issues on environment like climate change, other issues like population, fight against graft and corruption, HIV/AIDS, and other matters concerning the predicament of the people.
Also during his speech, Isaac expressed his sentiments regarding the condition of editorial cartooning and illustration in the Philippines. Compared to other countries like United States, South Korea, Singapore, and Bulgaria, editorial cartooning is given much importance as a form of fine arts. In Bulgaria particularly, a museum called “House of Humor” contains vast numbers of cartoon art in print, animation and sculptures from all corners of the world.
“In the Philippines, so far, not a single cartoonist has been named as a national artist. Maybe the award-giving body thinks that cartoonists are just clowns who give comic relief to a depressed society,” Isaac expressed.
Isaac and the rest of the artists present at the event were glad to the IPP’s effort of inviting them to mount an exhibition at the Alab Art Space. The exhibition gallery is an alternative venue to showcase the works of budding artists.
According to Carmen Peralta, chairman of 2008 IPR Week celebration, the space for exhibition is free of charge, the arrangement between them and the artists is just a 10-percent commission that will go to the development of the venue and for the seminars being conducted by the IPP.
Some of the participating artists in the exhibition are veteran cartoonists and illustrators Roni Santiago, Hugo “Boboy” Yuzon, Norman Issac, and Rene Aranda. Other works are from SKP members William Contreras, Aileen Casis, Nick Pertierra, R2omy Buen, Ariel Atienza, Stanley Chi, Bladmer Usi, Freely Abrigo, Andrew Villar, Roger Sanchez, Julius Vilanueva, Toto Yonzon, and Jun Acquino.
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