Installation view of the exhibition. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
Presented by Vargas Museum in Cooperation with Silverlens Galleries, Rituals of Invasion and Resistance (1992 – 2017) by Filipino artist, Norberto Roldan, is an exhibition that surveys 25 years of the artist’s work.
Holy War' (2016) Diptych. Wall installation with 2 old carpets, wooden crosses from demolished architectural debris, beeswax and lighting fixture. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
On show till the 5th of October 2017, the exhibition of installation works reflects the artist’s interest in both folk ritual and contemporary art that began with Roldan’s experience with textile from his hometown in Negros Occidental in the Visayas. With pieces of local cloth, patadyong, stretched on scrap wood and bamboo, it alludes to a shrine of nature and spirit, an index of memory, a marker of site and an invitation to gather.
In Search of Lost Time (C-1), (2017) Installation with found objects, sepia photographs and glass cabinet. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
The exhibition raises thoughts about the restless discourse of the art of the time and the neat study of human action. By coming to terms with life and art through the subtle distinctions between sensing objects within the order of things, Roldan expresses the fine line between the flux of everyday life and their meanings.
The Sacred and the Secrets in Our Lives. (2016) 8 wall altars with found objects, picture frames, sepia photos, fabrics and light boxes. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
With altars, imagery and found objects, the installative exhibition invites visitors to confess, wonder, read about their religion and native creed. Through this interaction between his works and the audience, Roldan sees the formation of rituals of invasion and resistance - the defense of belief against belief. 
Installation view of Roldan's work 'Between Salvation and Damnation'. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
As it is the first time that new and old works come together in one space, Roldan hopes to reiterate the installative focus of his artistic practice.
'Rebel' (2015) Wall installation with old catholic chasuble, old wooden santo, fabric, beexwax and lighting fixture. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
This survey exhibition highlights two particular works - ‘The Black Box’ and ‘Between Salvation and Damnation’, which the artist has expressed to be a reflection of his on-going investigation of Filipino spirituality, indigenous belief systems, and the Filipino struggle against imperial dominations.
'The Dark Box' (2005-2017) Installation with various components and audio. Image Courtesy of Silverlens Galleries.
While contemporary art is a process of negotiation between ‘life’ and ‘art’ within the context of a discourse as described by Roldan, anthropology approaches this negotiation in relation to a wider public context. In all, the installations thus represent a conjucture between contemporary art and anthropology, in which neither are absolute nor passive.
Norberto Roldan: Rituals of Invasion and Resistance is on show at UP Vargas Museum till the 5th of October 2017. More information on the exhibition can be found here.
Words by Kate Ng | Any views or opinions in the post are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the company or contributors.