30 September 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Paris attended the opening of the art exhibit 12x12 at the City Hall of the 12th Arrondisement on September 25.
Third Secretary and Vice Consul André Peter C. Estanislao attended on behalf of Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega. He was accompanied by Cultural Officer Frankson Ong.
The art exhibit, which showcases different genres of art of 12 different groups of French artists working in the 12th arrondisement, included the works of Filipino artists from Cebu who are taking part in a month-long art residency in the City of Lights. The artists are Josua Cabrera, Felix Catarata, Melver Mercado, Marvin Natura, Dennis ‘Sio’ Montera, Gerladine Ocampo, Radel Paredes, Palmy Pe Tudtud and Jose ‘Kimsoy’ Yap. Other artists joining the exhibit but not doing the residency program are Darby Alcoseba, Nomar Miano and Celso Pepito.
Officials of the 12th Arrondisement, led by Mayor Michèle Blumenthal, warmly welcomed all the guests. In her address, Mayor Blumenthal said that she was very proud to welcome all the artists in the 12th arrondisement and especially happy that they are joined by a Filipino delegation and officials from the Philippine Embassy. In his response, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Estanislao extended the Ambassador’s greetings and congratulated everyone who made the exhibit possible. He also affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to promoting and celebrating Philippine arts and culture in the international stage and hoped for stronger ties with the 12th arrondisement.
Most of these talented Cebuanos are professors of fine arts in the University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines Cebu and the University of Cebu. These artists were invited by Frédéric de Beauvoir, Director of Le Cent Etablissement Culture Solidaire (Le 100 ECS), a public art space which is subsidized by the French government that welcomes French and international artists to both work on and display their art work. These Cebuanos were introduced by famed Parisian painter Rémy Rault to the atelier. Mr. Rault, incidentally, is married to a Cebuana.
The Embassy and Le 100 ECS also hosted a Soirée Philippine (Philippine Evening) in honor of the artists on September 28 at the Voutes d’Exposition of the 12th arrondisement, 57 rue Daumesnil, Paris.
The 12x12 exhibit runs from September 25 to October 06 in various locations in the 12th arrondisement. For more information, please log on to http://festival12x12.wordpress.com/category/festival-12x12/ END