CA professors mount exhibit on 20th century architecture.
“Building Modernity: A Century of Architecture and Allied Arts” opened on February 7 at the Museum of the Filipino People, National Museum Complex, Manila with former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos as guest of honor.
Opening the exhibit were (from left) National Museum
Director Corazon Alvina, National Artist I.P. Santos, NCAAA
Chair and College of Architecture professor Cristina V. Turalba,
Dr. Jaime Laya, former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos and NCAA
Chair Ambeth Ocampo. Behind Alvina is exhibit curator
Dr. Gerard Lico.
The exhibit traced the evolution of architecture and designed environment in the Philippines in the 20th century, in particular, structures that had been created within the framework of modernism.
Modern architecture is characterized by a simplification of form and elimination of “unnecessary details” and is guided by the principle that form follows function. Originating in the US and Europe in the 19th century, modernism is seen by many as being primarily driven by technological and engineering developments, with the availability of new modern materials such as cast iron, steel, reinforced concrete and glass serving as catalyst to the development of new building techniques.
The exhibition is composed of archival photographs, paintings, vintage graphics, blueprints, building components and related artifacts that helped shape the complex Filipino architectural culture of the last century. The exhibition underscored the recognition of how the local conditions negotiated and contended with the forces of modernity, transforming its progressive aesthetics in accordance with the local culture, tropical ecology, and the politics of identity.
The exhibition is the contribution of the Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts (CAAA) of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with the National Museum of the Philippines for the Ani ng Sining: Philippine Arts Festival 2007. It was curated by College of Architecture (CA) profesor Dr. Gerard Lico in coordination with CA prof. Cristina Turalba, in her capacity as chair of the CAAA board.