Cover The artists preparing to open ‘Moments of Delay’ at Benilde’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Photo: Facebook / Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
The artists preparing to open ‘Moments of Delay’ at Benilde’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Photo: Facebook / Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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A new exhibition arrives at Benilde’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. ‘Moments of Delay’ opens this May
In 2015, the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde held an exhibition titled The Vexed Contemporary, which featured 16 Filipino artists who sought to challenge the positioning of art practices on a global scale. A decade later, the museum builds on this concept with The Moments of Delay, showcasing the work of 13 Filipino artists, each with their own unique takes on present issues.
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Above Curators James Tana and Arianna Mercado (Photo: courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
Curators James Tana and Arianna Mercado (Photo: courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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Curated by Arianna Mercado and James Tana, The Moments of Delay explores the concept of time across mediums—providing a closer look at contemporaneity. “We propose approaches to understanding time and the contemporary, addressing how artistic practice has been used as a way to probe individual and collective experiences, as reactions to specific conditions and speculations on a future, which approaches ‘delay’ as a fractured, yet expansive temporal state,” explains the duo.
Neo Maestro presents his work at ‘Moments of Delay’ (Photo: courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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Among the 13 artists is Neo Maestro, who uses textual interventions to portray the experience of the contemporary and represents multiple narratives in time and space. Allan Balisi’s paintings breathe new life into the dusty mannequins tucked away in the storage of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Miguel Lorenzo Uy’s multilayered, large-scale installation adorns a whole wall and juxtaposes technology with theories of the beginning of the universe. Christina Lopez exposes the anxieties and disinformation of today brought about by our devices.
See also: Ayala Museum marries art and technology in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’
Corinne De San Jose presents her work at ‘Moments of Delay’ (Photo: courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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Corinne de San Jose gives viewers a unique way to enjoy an exhibition—utilising sound and scent to evoke moments of healing and meditation. Through heating, cooling and melting, Lesley-Anne Cao shows us how certain materials can undergo subtle yet irreversible changes under the right conditions. The artist collective, Tambisan ng Sining, then sheds light on activism and socially engaged practices as a staple force in history, while Ronyel Compra searches for public and communal spaces with drone footage that documents the transformation of a plot of land.
Rocky Cajigan presents his work at ‘Moments of Delay’ (Photo: courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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Representing queer movements, indigeneity and religious enculturation, Rocky Cajigan presents his labyrinthine installation, A barrier, a time II (2019/2025). Uri de Ger highlights the brutal narratives of sociopolitical issues and activism against the backdrop of humour. Artist-initiated mutual co-learning group, Tropikalye, led by Nice Buenaventura workshops and indexes colour posit interest in recording strategies of contemporary vernacular wisdom. Joar Songcuya paints the sea as he reflects on his personal experience of placelessness. Rounding out the exhibition line-up is Celine Lee, who uses haptics, manipulation, and illusion to expose the elements that shape our reality and cognition.
Read more: Rocky Cajigan talks about being truthful in one’s art
Above The artists preparing to open 'Moments of Delay' at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Photo: Facebook/Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
The artists preparing to open 'Moments of Delay' at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Photo: Facebook/Museum of Contemporary Art and Design)
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The Moments of Delay presents a multisensory experience for visitors, stimulating their eyes, nose, and ears with the artwork on display—all while planting thought-provoking views in one’s mind.
Moments of Delay opens on May 27 at 5.30pm and will run until August 24, 2025, at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
