7 Things to Do at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA)

Have you heard? There's a new museum that recently opened in Iloilo City and it's mostly dedicated  to contemporary art.

The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) is the first art institution in the region that is devoted exclusively on the works of  Filipino and foreign modern and contemporary artists.

You won't miss it! Just look inside the iconic edifice - Casa de Emperador, at the Iloilo Business Park.   

Supported by the Megaworld Foundation, the PhP 110-million ILOMOCA occupies three stories of the Casa Emperador Building and is designed to provide a rich, dynamic, artistic and cultural experience for Iloilo City and the whole of Western Visayas Region.

Now what is contemporary art? ILOMOCA's FB Page gives an overview "Not to be confused with modern art - contemporary art is art produced in the 20th century and in the current millennium.

It is essentially art created in our lifetime, by artists living today. In contemporary art, the artist enjoys the freedom to choose from a wide range of mediums, subjects, themes and styles that all defy traditional definitions and expectations." 

So are you ready to appreciate ART, not just for art's sake?

Here are 7 Things to Do and See at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art - ILOMOCA.

#1 Get to Know Gen. Martin Delgado at HULOT

One of the longest streets in Iloilo City is named after him. The regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police for Western Visayas bears his name. His hometown - Santa Barbara, Iloilo has a street and a barangay named after their most distinguished son. 

And in front of Casa de Emperador stands a 9-meter high statue of Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado on a horse with his right hand on the reins while his left holding his sword. A dove is perched on the general's arm symbolizing his quest for freedom and independence from the Spaniards at turn of the 19th century.

More than 100 years later, and ironically, the general's commemorative statue was made by award-winning Spanish sculptor Gines Serran-Pagan - the first featured artist at HULOT.

Meaning "space or room" in Hiligaynon, Hulot is ILOMOCA's exhibition area dedicated to the works of artists who demonstrate unique innovative vision manifested by their art's content, technique and material.

The exhibit space currently features Gerran's art works - from paintings to sculptures about the Ilonggo general.

Did you know that during the revolt against Spain in the 1890's, the first Philippine Flag
was raised outside Luzon in Santa Barbara, Iloilo? 

All these were part of his research and works when he was tasked to make the GMTD statue as the cultural centerpiece of the Iloilo Business Park. To know more about the artist, visit http://www.serran-paganart.com/

UPDATE: From Sept. 8 to Nov. 7, 2018 HULOT will feature POETIC DISSENT: The Artworks of Jeho Bitancor 

#2 See "Larger-than-life" Crochet Works by Aze Ong

Dangling two stories high like a chandelier are multi-colored art installations that upon closer look reveals to be one gigantic piece of crochet work. It's immensity makes you forget your lola's or your mother's "gantsilyo" works found in your own homes.

"I firmly believe art and life flow together" says Aze Ong in her website. "My artworks are realization of experiences: consciousness, awareness and path to enlightenment. I treat them like my own having personalities, characteristics and feelings. They are made spontaneously without patterns, standards, formulas, sketches or studies. My purpose is to share this to everyone." 

Ilonggos can now marvel with Aze's crochet art as two of her amazing pieces are on display at ILOMOCA. Her website reveals that Aze Ong was a volunteer teacher assigned to the mountains of Bukidnon where she was inspired by the culture of the Talaandig tribe. She creates artworks combining crochet with metal, wood, fibers, leather and semi-precious stones.

Her creations range from sculptural installations to wearable art. Aze is an advocate of art as a source of healing and enlightenment. Spontaneity is a major factor in her process-oriented art in which she considers her lifetime companion. Get to know Aze Ong more by visiting her website https://www.azeong.com

#3 Admire Artworks by Ilonggo Artists

Paintings by Edsel Moscoso, Melvin Guirhem and Emmanuel Garibay

There is no Ilonggo art -- only art conceived and realized by the many Ilonggo artists from everywhere who continue to contribute to the flourishing of Philippine art.  

You need to look at the bigger picture when looking at Rock Drilon's art work (right)

And on the second level of ILOMOCA is an art space is currently dedicated to visual artists with roots from Panay and Negros. 

Delve into the details of Norberto "Peewee" Roldan's creation to see how everyday items can make an interesting work of art

The artists and art works featured in this area  have reaped acclaim and persist to make their mark in the national and international art scene through landmark exhibitions or by winning prizes in major art competitions. 

Sculptures and paintings blend 

See the amazing works of the Ilonggo masters  - paintings, sculptures, and mixed media art installations, on display at Gallery 2.

Charlie Co's paintings depict surreal interpretation of current issues

#4 Experience Surrealism with a Dali

Yes, there's a Salvador Dali painting on display at ILOMOCA. It may not be the famous "The Persistence of Memory" but still it's an original work by one of the world's greatest Surrealist.

Dreams inspire Surrealists' artworks - Dali (center) and Miro (left)

Surrealism, in simple terms, has something to do with experimenting with one's imagination - the wilder it gets the more surreal it becomes. Surrealists liked to put together things that are not normally seen together, as proven by original artworks by  Joan Miro and Marc Chagall -  Dali's fellow Surrealists, also on display

Also check out Dutch artist Karel Appel's avant-garde artwork (left) and American pop artist James Rizzi's 3D multiples piece.

Autographed Muhammad Ali 

There's LeRoy Neiman's Limited Edition Serigraph - Muhammad Ali- Athlete of the Century signed by both the artist and Muhammad Ali.

And how about a Luke Hillestad? On display is Abyss which is part of his Pupils of Apelles series.

GALLERY 2 is dedicated to the works of international artists in all art forms and I heard there's a Picasso soon to be displayed. Can't wait for that!

#5 Go 3D at Gallery Three

GALLERY 3 is devoted to sculptures - all forms and kinds of it.  From the personal collection of ILOMOCA's patron - Edwin Valencia, these works of art must be appreciated at your own pace. 

Go around them, check out every angle and recognize the full worth of each detail - but no touching please!

Noted for his glass sculptures, Ramon Orlina's works add a dazzling gleam that had us mesmerized.

Check out this miniature version of UPLift aka " Female Oblation" by Ferdinand Cacnio. The sculpture depicts a naked woman in mid-air with her hair supporting her entire body and touching a pool of water in it's original and life-size version located inside UP Diliman.

Another Cacnio creation on display is someone familiar! "Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? (3x) You've been hit by. You've been struck by. A smooth criminal" 

You've probably his works online (like me), now see the real thing! Sculptor Bruno Catalano may not seem a household name but his bronze works, depicting mostly walking travelers with suitcases with the conspicuously missing torsos, are like deja vus giving us "I've seen that somewhere" moment. 

#6 Get to know ILOMOCA's patron through his art collection

Edwin Valencia, for over three decades, has assembled an extensive collection of diverse artworks from across the globe — paintings, sculptures, prints. With various inspirations that move a person to collect, for Mr. Valencia this love for the art and life was nurtured by his mother, Adoracion. 

Adoracion Valencia was a Humanities professor who not only shared with her students the appreciation for and enjoyment of the arts, but also raised her children to appreciate the beauty of life through all forms of art. And it was Edwin, an international banking, finance, and management professional, who earnestly pursued this love by collecting works of art. 

His collection reflects the range of perspectives through which the many facets of life may be revealed. He and the Valencia family have decided to share them with the art-loving, museum-going public through the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art. And this gallery honors the woman and the mother who reared her children with a consciousness for the arts. 

Who do you see?

This is the biggest among the galleries occupying the whole 3rd level of Casa de Emperador. Ttake time to look and appreciate these amazing artworks in this vast gallery of different genre, style and media.

One of the most striking pieces of art is this "wall" of mixed media art installation that made use of threads, metals and more. See its every detail up close!

There's an Ang Kiu Kok creation, part of his 1982 Crucifixion Series. This National Artist for Visual Arts is of Chinese descent and his works are among the "most-bidded" in auctions.

You probably know by now that "humanizing metal" is Ferdinand Cacnio's specialty. Also take closer a look at Mideo Cruz's 1995 Thesis at the University of Santo Tomas entitled "Mga Laro at Laruan sa Kapuluang Pinagpipistahan" which literally pops-up into your senses.

These are just some of the pieces that will catch your attention at the Adoracion Valencia Gallery. And there are even more to see and appreciate - just let art inspire you on your every step.

#7 "Bring Home" pieces of ILOMOCA 

No, you can't take home the paintings and sculptures on display - they're not for sale! But check out what's in store at the Museum Shop.

A wide-variety of souvenir items are yours for the taking ranging t-shirts, mugs and bags to art materials, hand-painted items like fans and bags plus a whole lot more.

Can you imagine a " Life without Charlie"? Inspired by Toti Cerda's tribute to Charlie Chaplin, souvenir items having the "imprints" of the artist's "scrutiny" about the English comic are also on sale.

This list plus the art works and the artists featured are just a fraction of what the museum has to offer. There's still a lot to discover! So what are you waiting for? Gather your family and friends - plan your visit now and enjoy the arts in the cultural hub of Iloilo Business Park - ILOMOCA!

The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 10AM to 7PM, with the following admission rates  -

• PhP 100 for Regular
• PhP 80 for Seniors (Present IDs for disocunts)
• PhP 50 for Students (Present IDs for discounts)

NOTE: 

• Taking of photos is allowed on the 1st level ONLY. 
• No photo-taking on the 2nd and 3rd levels. 
• For this feature, I was given permission to take limited photos on the upper levels.

Text Credits: ILOMOCA Facebook Page | Museum Write- ups | www.azeong.com |