ArtBike: Museums

with typhoon Quiel looming in the horizon, I and Ani (my bike) pedaled to Manila City from Quezon City (distance of 13 km) to join the 4th ArtBike*, a unique biking event that promotes the country's proud history, culture and talents.

this month features museums - visits to some of our vaults of arts and cultures.

first, bike ride within the old-walled city of Intramuros. been to this famous tourist spot countless of times but it’s my first time to navigate the cobblestone streets of Intramuros in a bicycle.

next stop, the National Museum (http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph). the main building houses some of the country’s treasures such as the famous “Spoliarium” of Juan Luna and the “Assassination of Governor Bustamante”, a famous and awarded work of Felix Resurrección Hidalgo.

the country’s primary museum also houses the works of our national artists – Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Juan Arellano, etc.

then a quick stop to Hiraya Gallery (530 UN Avenue, Manila). the gallery is a small virtual space that showcases the works of new and emerging artists.

it started to drizzle when we arrived at the Metropolitan Museum (http://www.metmuseum.ph/). located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building along Roxas boulevard, the Met houses modern and contemporary visual paintings and installations.

the Met also kept another famous work of Hidalgo titled the “Las Virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho” (The Christian virgins Exposed to the Populace), the silver medallist during the 1884 Exposición Nacional de Bellas Arte, the same competition where Luna also gained international recognition. too bad, only a reproduction of the said painting is available for public viewing.

the weather turned bad when we arrived at Galleria Duemilla (http://www.galleriaduemila.com/). yet, we were received with warm hospitality by the owner Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. the galleria showcases contemporary paintings, sculptures, paper works, installations, etc.

Silvania also gave us a quick tour of her compound, working stations, their vintage car collection, etc.

raining still, we arrived at Avellano Gallery (House A-19, 2680 F.B. Harrison, Pasay City). the gallery showcases unique spiral metal installations, glass work, etc.

decided to break out from the group (missed the GSIS Museum) because of the bad weather and an expected long ride back to QC (more than 20km). encountered the wrath of Quiel on the return trip – strong winds and blinding downpour, exciting hehehe. but when both brakes of Ani failed, it obliterated the fun, tsk.

a very informative day and wonderful urban bike tour :)

ArtBike

10.01.11

Manila – Pasay

*the ArtBike was conceptualized by group of friends who loves biking and art. thru this initiative, they hope to promote the country’s diverse natural wealth, talent and culture. ArtBike is held every first Saturday of the month.