Skip to main content

'Anito Kristo' by Ronald Ventura


I've never specifically asked myself what Jesus might look like as a bulul but I can't say I'm disappointed that Filipino artist Ronald Ventura made this mashup a reality. Anito Kristo, his most recent sculpture exhibition at Secret Fresh Gallery, reimagines Christ as the rice guardian of Northern Philippine tribes.

Traditionally, bulul are installed in barns to protect rice from pests, thieves and spoilage. They are also credited for an increase in harvest, or even magically increasing rice in storage. Now they have lost their ritual significance and have been relegated to souvenirs and decorations. I've come to expect the unexpected with mashups, but I'll admit—I didn't see this one coming.

Ronald is arguably the Philippines' most commercially successful visual artist. In 2011, he set a historic record at the Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings auction in Hong Kong when his piece sold for nearly 47 million pesos.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Press Play Again

You know that feeling when you stumble upon an old movie you haven't seen in years? It's like finding a dusty photo album and flipping through the pages, only instead of bad hairstyles, you're greeted with hideous special effects and awful dialogue. Also, the dramatic tension I remembered as nail-biting was now… well, a little slow-paced. But the truly entertaining part of rewatching a movie is that you notice things you never did before. For example, in Midnight Cowboy , I didn't know that the guy who gave Joe Buck (Jon Voight) a blow job was played by Bob Balaban, who later became known for his role as Russell Dalrymple, the fictional president of NBC in Seinfeld . Released in 1969, Midnight Cowboy is a raw, sometimes uncomfortable, often heartbreaking, but ultimately deeply human. And seriously, the chemistry between Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) and Buck is pure gold. Rewatching a movie is like visiting an old friend. You know their idiosyncrasies, their stories, bu...

So, have you given Chloe Qisha a listen yet?

What I love about the Malaysian-born singer-songwriter is her knack for crafting those sad/happy songs – music that makes you want to cry and hit the dance floor at the same time. Chloe writes about love, anxiety, and self-acceptance with such wit and honesty. Her beauty is also undeniable – a perfect blend of modern allure and timeless Asian elegance. Her looks shine through with such grace and an effortlessly cool confidence. Here is my favorite.

The Chameleon

Damon Albarn is a genius. He constantly reinvents himself, pushes his boundaries, and challenges his listeners. From the raw energy of Blur to the diverse soundscapes of Gorillaz, his solo work, and his collaborations with other artists, Damon has proven himself to be one of the most talented and unpredictable musicians alive.