The Exhibit
My professor asked me to make a video about my project to share with about 500 students. Watch this quick 2-minute video to see how my project began as a simple introductory class assignment and launched into a full-scale exhibition.
The exhibition has inspired further collaboration with the Pence Gallery and other Filipino artists in promoting underrepresented artists in the Fine Art world.
Details from the Exhibit
Caution! Imported. Foreign.
An image of the Philippines surrounded by torn up "Fragile" words. Crates with conflicting messages, pointing in different directions. What do you feel when you see these? Is there a certain voice that you hear? How does this reflect stereotypes or hurtful messages against Asian identities?
A Living People
The clothes are placed in such a way that makes them feel alive and moving. Not only are they clothes being transported across the ocean, but they are also the travelers that wear them. How do you view their emotions and actions? What are they saying to each other? Who are they? How old are they?
Fashion through the Ages
To celebrate Filipino fashion, I created a zine, or a small, pocket-sized magazine, that showcased Filipino fashion by the era. It is incredible how diverse and unique each era is and the kinds of ways we still can see the influence of Filipino design.
Knowledge on pre-colonial fashion is limited, but even modern attire still holds true to traditional wear. Featured in the zine is Filipina fashion pioneer Salvacion Lim Higgins, also known as "Slim". She revolutionized the modern terno or bell-sleeved dress that celebrities still wear to this day. Traces of Filipino fashion can be seen all over celebrities, sports, and political figures. Fun Fact: Did you know Obama wore a Barong Tagalog?
