Philippine Archipelagic Identity Takes Center Stage in Island Tides Initiative of University of Applied Arts Vienna
VIENNA 22 March 2024 – The Philippines’ archipelagic identity, as well as the promotion of an archipelagic consciousness in artistic practices, took center stage at the inaugural activity of the Island Tides Initiative of the University Applied Arts Vienna (die Angewandte) on 14 March 2024 in Vienna. The two-year interdisciplinary research program is focused on the survey of artistic and curatorial strategies from South East Asia and the Pacific, with a specific emphasis on the Philippines.
In her introduction of the initiative, Professor Bouchra Khalili, Head of the Department of Artistic Strategies of die Angewandte, highlighted their interest in exploring “artistic practices that are informed by archipelagic imaginaries and realities such as the very topography of the Philippine Islands. It is through following the shapes of these physical and imaginary topographies that we’ll investigate how we can construct subjectivities, identities, and experiences that can allow us to explore variations of possible futures.”
The Island Tides Initiative is part of the Philippine Studies Program and the government’s strategy to promote lifelong learning and education and to support cultural development. The archipelagic theme of the initiative was further echoed by Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas, who underscored in her remarks that “the overarching theme of this initiative, Island Tides, speaks to a defining part of my country’s character” and how the archipelagic nature of the Philippines has shaped its inhabitants’ national identity, psyche, and culture. “We are a nation of many cultures and languages, and our island tides have played a role in shaping our many artistic practices,” she said.
For the inauguration, die Angewandte organized a panel discussion featuring Asian artists and curators based in Europe to exchange ideas on a wide-range of issues based on their respective artistic practices. The panel, which was composed of Mr. Renan Laru-an of the Philippines, Artistic Director of SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin; Ms. Annie Jael Kwan of Singapore, leader of Asia-Art-Actvitism (AAA) and council member of Asia Forum at the Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice 2024, touched on the concept of “Asia'' or “Asian-ness” that goes beyond its geographical construct, the need for greater inclusivity and diversity in representation in Europe, and the boundaries imposed by existing institutional structures and organizations.
The initiative was made possible through the support of Senator Loren B. Legarda, who eagerly anticipates “its potential impact on the cultural landscape and the promotion of contemporary Philippine art in Europe.” More information regarding the Island Tides Initiative can be found on its Instagram page (IG handle: @islandtides.initiative). END.
For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/, https://www.twitter.com/PHLinAustria or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/.