Last Friday, amidst the hallowed halls of the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines together with ArticulatePH unveiled “The Lost Conversations,” a YouTube channel promising an unprecedented peek behind the works of our nation’s most celebrated artists. Imagine a treasure trove of whispers from the past, now digitized and ready to captivate a new generation.
The event, an intimate gathering of art luminaries, collectors, and heirs to artistic legacies, was graced by the presence of Danny Jacinto, president of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines; Jorell Legaspi, deputy director general for museums of the National Museum of the Philippines; and Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta, vice president of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. The air crackled with anticipation as guests gathered to celebrate the unveiling of this unique digital archive.
These aren’t your typical stuffy art lectures. “The Lost Conversations” presents remastered audio interviews, conducted by renowned art historian and critic Cid Reyes, offering intimate dialogues with the masters themselves. It’s a chance to eavesdrop on the creative process, to understand the passions, and to witness the birth of masterpieces.
(First Row L-R) Raul Isidro, Ramon Orlina, National Artist Virgilio Almario, Sylvia Amorsolo Lazo, Cid Reyes, Juno Galang, Diwa Abueva
A golden age for Filipino art
“How lucky is the Filipino artist now?” declared Reyes at the launch. His words resonated with the palpable excitement surrounding the current art scene. “The market is ready for them. The emergence of so many talented Filipino artists… their works being accepted by a growing art audience willing to pay for their creations…the success of the art auctions, the art fairs!”
Reyes, a seasoned chronicler of Philippine art, having observed its evolution since the days of Amorsolo and Edades, expressed delight at the blossoming interest in local art.
From obscurity to opulence: The ROI of art
Reyes underscored the increasing recognition of Philippine art as a valuable investment. He cited the example of National Artist Jose Joya’s “Space Transfiguration,” which originally sold for a mere PHP350 and recently fetched a staggering PHP112 million at auction. “It is now unquestionable that art is a blue-chip investment.”
A mavericks and muses
Reyes celebrated the spirit of experimentation and the adventurous patrons who fuel the evolution of Filipino art: “I am amazed and truly grateful that an emergent audience and market is now very accepting of adventurous experimental art… they’re willing to gamble on these artists who are creating works that are breaking barriers.”
More than just pretty works: A living archive
“The Lost Conversations” underscores the significance of oral history in preserving cultural heritage. “I have always believed that oral history is of paramount value…history being lived at the very moment, straight from the artist’s mouth, and you cannot change that.”
Reyes envisions “The Lost Conversations” as a catalysts, inspiring future generations of artists, critics, and historians to document the ever-evolving Philippine art scene. “Now we need documentation because without documentation, with no literature, there is no history.”
A legacy to uphold
For aspiring artists, Reyes offers this profound insight: “With ‘Lost Conversations’, I want today’s young Filipino artists to realize the rich tradition that has been handed down to them… a level of excellence that they must pursue and aspire to.”
Discover “The Lost Conversations” and immerse yourself in the world of Philippine art at: https://www.youtube.com/@articulateph
