26 August 2015 - World-renowned Filipino kinetic and performance artist David Medalla was the main feature of the Philippine Pavilion at the Venice Biennale held today in this famous northern Italian city.

The special event started with welcome remarks from Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe de Leon. Also in attendance was Philippine Consul General in Milan Marichu Mauro.

A dialogue between Adam Nankervis, Mr. Medalla’s longtime collaborator, Mr. Patrick Flores, curator of the Philippine Pavilion, and Mr. Medalla kicked off the main part of the event. Topics discussed range from the past, present and future of Philippine art to the geopolitical issues the Philippines is facing at the moment.

Mr. Medalla distributed paper masks that he had fashioned out of local magazines to volunteers from the audience whom he asked to line up on one side of the second floor of the Palazzo Mora where the Philippine Pavilion is housed. He then proceeded to lead them in singing and dancing to “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang” while holding their masks to their faces. Ambassador Nolasco and Consul General Mauro were among the participants.

Later on, Mr. Nankervis projected a video of Mr. Medalla’s spontaneous performance in Vicenza while he and Mr. Medalla tied a length of colored string around a little plastic globe.

Mr. Medalla’s artistry has always relied on his spontaneity and his performance at the Philippine Pavilion was evidence of that.

The Philippine Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale and Mr. Medalla’s performance were made possible through the collaboration of the NCCA, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

Mr. Medalla’s performance also had collateral events at the Giardini and at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. END