Rich pastures and lush trees welcomed the participants of the International Art Biennale, carrying the theme ‘If Trees Could Talk’. Geared towards making art and nature converse and coexist in the same space, the field was thoughtfully scattered with installation projects from renowned artists all over the world.
If Trees Could Talk started out as an art exhibition held in 2014, 2017, and 2018. This year’s event is a continuation of Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development’s (CANVAS PH) advocacy to enliven discussions on climate change. The opening of the Biennale was held in the future Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art site in Ibaan, Batangas on February 24, 2024 and will run until June 24, 2024.
“When we talk about art, ang palaging namamayagpag na discussion is all about the art market. But here we would like to talk about how art and literature can be catalysts for more meaningful exchanges,” said Jaime Pacena II, If Trees Could Talk curator.
Responding to the theme of environmental consciousness, artists like Geraldine Javier, Matthias Garff, and Veronica Garcia incorporated found objects and recycled materials into their works.
Some artists like Cian Dayrit, Pam and John Santos, Mark Salvatus, Don Bryan Bunag, and the Spore Initiative created immersive and interactive spaces designed for visitors to exist in harmony with the installation and with nature.
Massive in scale and in impact were Elmer Borlongan, Lito Mondejar, and Leeroy New’s pieces in their take on If Trees Could Talk.
The works present in the Biennale were not only aesthetic displays of artistic skill, but were successful features that brought art closer to children, as is CANVAS PH’s advocacy. Children were allowed to play with their tactile senses and touch the art installations.
“The idea of play, movement, and being just carefree, yun yung nature ng bata. We want this place not to be restricted. It’s a simple way to communicate with children about a deep and important issue,” said Pacena.
For Laurence Vallières, a visiting artist that hailed all the way from Canada, she was inspired by CANVAS PH’s initiative and hoped that such meaningful projects were more prevalent in her home country.
Vallières is also the artist behind the striking pawikan sculpture that greeted the guests as they entered the orchard.
The pawikan, an endangered sea turtle in the Philippines, is the subject of Vallières’ work made with recycled plastic. She wanted to challenge people to be more mindful with their consumption to create a sustainable world for everyone and those creatures that we coexist on Earth with.
Her idea behind the brilliant yellow pigment of her work is to match and blend with the mango trees that surround the pawikan, which became a subject of visitors’ curiosity and awe as visitors, especially children, immediately flocked to the sculpture and took pictures with it.
“I want people to think differently and be able to use whatever they have around them to do anything,” said Vallières.
More art installations, workshops, and sculptures should be looked forward to in the coming months of the Biennale as CANVAS PH continues to expand the dialogue on environmental consciousness through the weapon of art. Pacena hopes that If Trees Could Talk will extend to different organizations and places to open the advocacy to more people.
“Ang pinakagusto talaga namin is to emphasize that the environment is part of our existence,” said Pacena.
Frenzel is a student-intern under Pagtanom: Odangputik Art Studio Internship Program. She is a young, dilligent and passionate learner with 15 years of art experience in formal and informal settings.