‘Nostalgia is a powerful emotion that can take people back in time. It can make us remember fond memories of our childhood and the simpler, less stressful life we used to live.’ — Almer Moneda
Almer Moneda’s passion for reminiscence is influential and evident in how he paints. He visualizes establishments and acts of labor bound to a specific period in which they ceased to exist. Yet, these archival pieces of history are a benchmark to Almer’s latest series of works for “Empowering Nostalgia”, fondly recalling moments in the past when life was simpler — an aspect of life we tend to neglect in current times.
The exhibition delves back into a certain time frame where production and development were feasible exclusively through physical labor. Almer takes this piece of history into consideration in hopes to empower the notion of finding happiness and contentment in much simpler aspects of life. Old devoirs such as rice-pounding or riding the kalesa as a means of commute were some of the notable features he showcases in his works, highlighting the uniqueness and fulfillment of their important undertakings. “Going back to these slower, more meaningful activities reminds us of the good old days. It’s about valuing old traditions that bring back fond memories of the past.” Almer notes.
In view of this, Moneda invites the viewers to reflect on an era when technological developments were not present in our lives — allowing us to slow down, take a break, and remind us of a time when people felt more connected before the digital age. Almer transforms these sentiments into nostalgic delight — dedicating an ode to the past that made us who we are today.
Almer Moneda (b.1987) is a Filipino contemporary artist hailing from Paete, Laguna. He is no stranger to visual arts. His degree in drafting from Laguna State Polytechnic University has given him a superb eye for anatomy and an ability to intricately depict figures and silhouettes of Old Manila — a subject he favors the most. His expressive recollections of the early days greatly influence his oeuvre, elaborately remixing photographs from the past by intricately painting his subjects in serigraph style, then dispositioning them in bold and dynamic elements of color, lines, and shapes — bringing the subject forward as the focal point in hopes to suspend the viewer’s perception.
“Empowering Nostalgia” will run from April 21 – 31, 2023 at Galerie Joaquin Rockwell, located at the R3 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. The Artist Reception will be held on April 29, Saturday at 5 PM.
