“Astral Bridge,” a collaborative exhibition by Francis Nacion and Jonathan Dangue is on view until today at Art Lounge Manila — The Podium.
Coined by the two artists, “Astral Bridge” explores the liminal spaces between the seen and unseen, where the boundaries of our physical reality dissolve into realms beyond perception. The term “astral” evokes the ethereal—a realm of stars and cosmic energies—while “bridge” symbolizes a passage and connection between worlds. This exhibition invites viewers to journey beyond the material, with each piece serving as a portal to hidden dimensions where intuition, dreams, and the mysteries of existence converge. It is an invitation to cross into the unknown and experience the intangible bonds that connect us to the vast cosmos.
Remarkably different from the usual genre works of Francis Nacion, “Astral Bridge” is a presentation of works that continues his exploration of unseen worlds, a theme he has touched upon in past exhibitions such as Beguiled (2012) and Genesis (2013). In both shows, Nacion delved into faith and culture, celebrating the vastness and beauty of creation, extending from the visible to the spiritual. He presents 22 maximalist figurative and abstract works in this exhibition, introducing two new series featuring shaped canvases and “exploded” frames. These elements extend the narrative of his 2D canvases into the 3D world, emphasizing movement and contrast as essential aspects of transformation—navigating the spaces between the seen and unseen, the ordinary and the extraordinary.
For Jonathan Dangue, “Astral Bridge” symbolizes a journey within, expressed through his minimalist approach. Eight new works in his latest series consist of monochromatic brass sculptures and textured all-white canvases—evocative of Zen stone gardens. The movement and transition in Dangue’s pieces are subtle, inviting viewers to reflect on how moments and choices ripple through time, affecting our lives and those around us.
