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Friday, September 15, 2017

'Open Threads' Exhibit by Ged Merino and Aze Ong Opens in New York on September 16 at Topaz Arts



New York - Artists Ged Merino and Aze Ong have been engaging in a series of collaborations aptly called “The GedAze Project”. “Open Threads” at Topaz Arts is their fifth collaborative show for 2017.

For “Open Threads” Ged and Aze found a parallel experience in their process of collecting things meant to remind them of their individual journeys. The objects will be incorporated in their works, bound or crocheted to preserve and symbolize their significant experiences.

Based in New York Ged collects things discarded incidentally or intentionally. His migratory history includes a movement of physical things. A collection of comfort scraps, gathered and transferred and bound for the creation of a totally new object. There is a peculiar line between archival gestures and the bonding in the sense of transitional objects. It is a way of collecting artifacts from people’s lives, a sort of archaeological expedition.

Manila based, Aze is currently in New York on a grant from the Asian Cultural Council. The main purpose of the grant is to immerse in the culture. Because of the nature of her work and its tedious process she tends to spend countless hours crocheting pieces to assemble into larger installations at some point. So while in New York she walks around with needle and yarn in hand crocheting in parks, concerts, festivals, bus rides, subways and wherever she goes, unintentionally inviting conversations with onlookers, crocheters and curious folks. The osmosis is fascinating. The conversations are natural.

Conversations from Art, daily life in the city to “open relationships” and other fascinating stories flow. Experiencing the hectic pace of the city and “empowered” by the experience, she felt the need to gather objects as mementos from places like San Francisco and here in NY.

Her exhibitions typically open with a performance where the artist is seen wearing her vivid creations as stylized gestures and percussive rhythms dynamically activate the site. The two artists sometimes collaborate on works, in effect juxtaposing their preferred materials and different approaches to form.

Open Threads, an exhibition by artists Ged Merino and Aze Ong on view September 16 to October 28, 2017. Opening reception Saturday, September 16th, 3-6pm with a performance at 4pm by Aze Ong.

Viewing hours: Saturdays 1-5pm or by appointment – visit@topazarts.org with special public programs by the GedAze Project each Saturday.

TOPAZ ARTS, 55-03 39th Avenue in Woodside, Queens, NY


To learn more, visit http://www.topazarts.org/

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Sari-Sari Storybooks Begins U.S. Book Tour on Sept 10


Join Sari-Sari Storybooks for a book launch in New Jersey / NYC this September! Save the Dates, tag a friend, spread the word.
Sunday, September 10, 1-2:30 pm
Bergenfield Public Libary
tinyurl.com/ycjjhr6b

Tuesday, September 12, 7-9:30 pm
NYC Downtown: Bluestockings Bookstore
tinyurl.com/bluestock
Sunday, September 17, 3-5 pm
NYC Uptown: Word Up Bookstore
tinyurl.com/wordupbook
Sunday, September 24, 11-4 pm
Tales of Our Cities Book Festival
Van Vorst Park, Jersey City
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About the Stories
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MELO THE UMANG-BOY
an Ivatan Tale
Melo is a painfully shy little boy living with his grandmother and uncle. One day he visits a magical, busy city on the bottom of the ocean, filled with talking sea creatures. Disaster strikes the city, and he must overcome his shyness to help the sea creatures rebuild.
Story by Alyssa Sarimiento-Co and Christina Newhard, illustrations by Jaypee Portez, translation by Criselda Vinalay
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KALIPAY AND THE TINIEST TIKTIK
a Cebuano Tale
Daydreaming comes easily to Kalipay, but she doesn’t know how to make bullies leave her alone. One day, she makes an unusual new friend in Gamay, who tells the school bully, Juan, to stop teasing Kalipay. Other children are afraid of Gamay—her strange tongue, split body, and bat wings—but Kalipay is fascinated by the things that make her new friend different. Together they learn how friendship can overcome differences and create happiness for everyone.
Story by Christina Newhard, illustrations by Happy Garaje, translation by Jona Branzuela Bering
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AMINA AND THE CITY OF FLOWERS
a Chavacano Tale
Amina, a young Yakan weaver, is homesick for Basilan, but she finds inspiration for her loom in the diversity and color of her new home, Zamboanga City.
Story by Christina Newhard, illustrations by Robbie Bautista, translation by Floraime Oliveros Pantalets

ABOUT SARI-SARI STORYBOOKS
Sari-Sari Storybooks shares the quirky magic of Filipino stories by publishing original picture books in Philippine languages (Ivatan, Cebuano, Chavacano, Waray, Meranaw, and Ayta). These beautifully illustrated stories are written for ages 5-8 years old, are bilingual in English, and come with a glossary and discussion questions.

PHOTOS: New York Candlelight Vigil for Kian De Los Santos & Protest Against Drug Related Killings in the Philippines

In New York, a small group of activists held a candlelight vigil for Kian De Los Santos and took part in a worldwide 'Black Friday Protest' a day calling for action against drug related killings in the Philippines. August 25, 2017. Woodside, Queens. Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media











Photos by Lambert Parong © 2017 Kababayan Media