Cover "Sala with Boy" by Neal Oshima
"Sala with Boy" by Neal Oshima
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Fotomoto unveils its 2022 exhibition offering the country’s premier photographers’ perspectives on the “sense of home”
Filipino photographers’ collective Fotomoto aims to elevate photography as an art form not merely for captivating snapshots of daily life but one that expresses our identity and culture as a people. This year, it gears towards nationwide expansion, by inviting more photographers and mounting exhibitions outside Metro Manila.
In 2021, Fotomoto showcased 128 local artists in 13 exhibitions. Through its online presence, it reached almost 40,000 people and earned 4,092 store sessions via its website. Founded by the country’s foremost and budding creative visionaries such as Neal Oshima, Jes Aznar, Sandra Palomar, Jason Quibilan, Paco Guerrero, Tom Epperson, Wawi Navarroza, Gio Panlilio, among others, Fotomoto has opened a dynamic and engaging platform for the country’s lensmen to not only capture and showcase visually striking mementoes of our time but also pursue the deeper meaning and purpose of photography.
Read also: Neal Oshima's Advice for Young Photographers: Think Outside the Box
Above "Blue Window" by Gio Panlilio
"Blue Window" by Gio Panlilio
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“Our collective is formed by individuals working in different fields of photography, each one bringing something important to enrich the whole,” shares Stephanie Frondoso, one of Fotomoto’s founding members who heads the curatorial and gallery committee. A respected artist, writer and curator, Frondoso leads Fotomoto’s theme, curation and selection of works for exhibitions, particularly Home, which will be on view at the UP Fine Arts Gallery this month.
The exhibition includes talks, panel discussions, workshops, portfolio reviews and photo project presentations. “We hope to inspire deep and comprehensive dialogue among the photographic community and our audiences,” explains Frondoso. “In every city that we bring the exhibition to, we intentionally and actively engage with the local community,” she adds.
Read also: Talyer 15's Unique Exhibition of Collages
Above "Workout" by Gio Panlilio
"Workout" by Gio Panlilio
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Above A photograph by Veejay Villafranca
Above A photograph by Jes Aznar
A photograph by Veejay Villafranca
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Indeed, this month’s offering of Fotomoto strikes close to home, as they gather photographers’ varying perspectives on the realities of the last two years—the height of the pandemic—centred on “sense of home”.
“We decided on the theme of ‘Home’ having collectively emerged from the past two years with new perspectives on our homes, brought about by prolonged isolation, working and studying from home, migration, displacement, the loss of one’s home or the finding of a new one,” shares Frondoso. Abstract though the “sense of home” may be, it is relatable to everyone and coincides with Fotomoto’s goals of holding travelling exhibitions, “as notions of ‘home’ may differ around the Philippines and the diaspora”, she explains.
Read also: Paco Guerrero on His Career and Creative Process, the Photographer and Director Shares All
Above "Pink" by ESL Chen
"Pink" by ESL Chen
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From personal to a broader commentary on society, Fotomoto’s 2022 exhibition welcomes all cultural, historical, socio-political and personal narratives captured through the various genres of photo-based works. Juried by its 2022 curatorial team, the photographs will be made available for sale through their partner galleries, which are the UP Fine Arts Gallery in Metro Manila, Gallery Indigo at the BenCab Museum in Baguio, and the Orange Project in Bacolod. Part of the proceeds goes to the Art Relief Mobile Kitchen, a volunteer organisation that feeds the hungry during times of distress and calamity.
For Frondoso, Fotomoto has grown in many aspects since its beginning. She summarises: “First we have heavily beefed up our educational programming to involve experts other than our founding members to participate in the talk and workshops. Second, we have teamed up with four galleries this year to professionalise our presentations and sales efforts as well as to reach their audiences. Third, we are developing special invitational exhibitions to be able to present bodies of work relevant to the theme. Fourth, we had to discuss and agree among ourselves on our accepted definition of the ever-evolving and dynamic medium of photography.” And concludes, “All these build important conversations and forms of engagement that lead to continued growth.”
Read also: Mark Nicdao Talks About Photography, Industry Challenges, and His Career Highlights
Above "Manila" by Jason Quibilan
"Manila" by Jason Quibilan
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In a country where almost everyone has a phone camera, Fotomoto aims to elevate photography as a means of storytelling and not merely making images from quick snaps. “Much thought and technical detail go into the professional photographers’ work, in support of the ideas and messages they wish to convey, and often involving experimentation with technique,” Frondoso explains.
With our creative landscape teeming with fierce photojournalists working on compelling stories every day as well as innovative artist-photographers pushing the medium’s boundaries, Fotomoto hopes “to further achieve in the Philippines visual-literate audiences and support for all photographers in the different stages of their career”, shares Frondoso.
Through learning from their collaborators and audiences, Frondoso and her fellow photographers find it an exciting time for the community. “Coming from a place of scarcity, it [appreciation of photography] now seems possible for the sky is the limit,” she declares.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
