Cover Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Wall
Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Wall
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Explore the economic and cultural exchanges between the East and West
Considered one of the pioneers of multimedia installations and urban interventions, Antoni Muntadas develops his projects through collaborative research that captures local issues and experiences. Having visited Manila in 2019, his encounter inspired him to explore the past and present of the Philippines regarding its colonisers.
Globality, transnationality, and the Manila Galleon trade are the frameworks for Muntadas' exhibit, which can be seen in the Malas Hierbas, Portable Monuments to Emigrant Anonymous Workers, and Mantónes de Manila galleries (albeit in a more contemporary manner.) Muntadas refers to these as presentes, repositories of memories intended as metaphors for Philippine history.
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Malas Hierbas
Above Malas Hierbas exhibition
Above Lantana Camara Plate
Malas Hierbas exhibition
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When the Spanish arrived on our shores, they brought their entire way of life to the Philippines. Missionaries were brought to convert us, soldiers ensured an uprising wouldn’t start, and foreign flora and fauna started to thrive on our lands, endangering native species.
Malas Hierbas showcases ceramic plates from Sevilla, Spain, bearing botanical drawings of plant species brought to the Philippines from the Americas. Muntadas highlights the effects of colonisation aren’t limited to the country’s people and socio-political status.
Portable Monuments to Emigrant Anonymous Workers
Above Portable Monuments to Emigrant Anonymous Filipino Workers
Above Recently issued commemorative coins
Portable Monuments to Emigrant Anonymous Filipino Workers
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The Philippines is one of the countries with the most emigrant workers in proportion to its population in the world. Economic progress is scarce in the Philippines, with about five per cent of the population living and working abroad. Seen as “modern-day heroes,” these OFWs have contributed significantly to the economic status of the Philippines through remittances sent.
Portable Monuments to Emigrant Anonymous Workers is a series of 10 coins featuring Filipinos living in 10 cities. Muntadas calls these portable monuments to recognise the unrecognised Filipinos who work tirelessly in different countries to support their families. One side of the coin shows a portrait of the Filipino worker, while the other is a landmark of their city.
Mantónes de Manila
Above Mantónes de Manila
Above Mantónes de Manila
Mantónes de Manila
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Originally made in China and brought to Manila, The Mantónes de Manila (Manila Shawl) were later appropriated by Spanish culture as garments for women during festivals.
In this exhibit, Muntadas and local artisans from Lumban, Laguna, took the Mantónes de Manila and used them to illustrate different political, economic, cultural, and historical events that changed Philippine history. Featured events date as far back as the Battle of Mactan, while some are more recent, like the assassination of Ninoy Aquino and the Thrilla in Manila.
The exhibition of the Muntadas: Exercises on Past and Present Memories is open to the public until July 29, at the Ateneo Art Gallery.
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Credits
Photography: Ateneo Art Gallery
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.
Work
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.
