Title: Philippine Smile
Dimensions: 13 feet in diameter, maximum width: 12.7 cm, approx. 200 lbs.
Medium: Mixed media on paper
Client: Net Group Inc.
Location: Net Lima Building, 4th Ave. Corner 26th St, Bonifacio Global City.
Completion Date: June 2013
Composed of over a hundred images mounted on individual boxes, the piece is designed to give an otherwise faceless lobby identity. Seeing the various Filipino cultural references (from the ubiquitous jeepney to Fernando Poe Jr to Miriam Defensor Santiago), one cannot help but feel that this is the Philippines. The smiling visages hint at the resilient positivity of a country that is no stranger to adversity. The piece has various levels, and its appearance changes depending on the time of day, and from where you're standing. From farther away, the faces blur and a pixelated sun and an even bigger smile appears.
Composed of over a hundred images mounted on individual boxes, the piece is designed to give an otherwise faceless lobby identity. Seeing the various Filipino cultural references (from the ubiquitous jeepney to Fernando Poe Jr to Miriam Defensor Santiago), one cannot help but feel that this is the Philippines. The smiling visages hint at the resilient positivity of a country that is no stranger to adversity. The piece has various levels, and its appearance changes depending on the time of day, and from where you're standing. From farther away, the faces blur and a pixelated sun and an even bigger smile appears.
After creating several studies, the client chose one. Turning the study into a reality meant numerous consults with other painters, interior designers, engineers, industrial designers, architects, and multimedia artists. Once I had decided on a layout, I created a 3D model using Google SketchUp.
The entire piece is omposed of 114 images, all having something to do with the Philippines.
After all the images had been painted and mounted on boxes, it was time for the carpentry and welding work. In order to make the piece stable and transportable, it was designed to separate into two pieces. If not, it wouldn't fit through the entrance of the building.
A short BTS video of the making of #PhilippineSmile
3 days of prep work in an unventilated and deafening substation.
Piece one of two up. One more to go.
There are probably better ways of installing the piece other than using brute force. But it'll have to do for now.
Putting in the center boxes.
Unveiling!
With my brother, the client, Mr. Raymond Rufino of the Net Group, Inc, and my dad, during the unveiling (July 30, 2013).
Detail
