The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Arthaland Team Up for UDTONG TUTOK Art Exhibit

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Arthaland have teamed up for an exhibition of visual artworks and ethnographic objects. Called UDTONG TUTOK: ART AT HIGH NOON – Affinities, Continuities, and Contradictions in Philippine Art, the exhibition features pieces from the CCP 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) Collection. It will run from 15 September to 12 October 2023 at the lobby of Arthaland’s Cebu Exchange.

Udtong Tutok: Art at High Noon

The term Udtong Tutok is a fitting description of the exhibition’s ‘power’ to be a ‘source of light’ in these uncertain times. With the help of this light source, we are provided with a fresh pair of eyes that allows us to see seemingly random and unrelated things converging providing new perspectives and insights that may be vastly different from how we understand Philippine art and culture.

Udtong Tutok: Art at High Noon celebrates this convergence and shines the spotlight on the value of the differences and their impact – tensions, contradictions, affinities, and continuities.

It is a gathering of ideas, virtues, values, angst, and anguish that need to be recognized and looked upon rather clearly so as to chart a new direction for Filipino creatives and cultural workers to thrive. The exhibition is curated by Jay Nathan T. Jore from the University of the Philippines Cebu.

Arthaland-CCP Collaboration

“Udtong Tutok: Art at High Noon,” is a remarkable collaboration between Arthaland and the CCP that underlines the company’s resolute commitment to sustainable growth. By leveraging the power of art, Arthaland seeks to foster youth involvement and enhance cultural awareness, showcasing their steadfast dedication to a brighter, greener future.

Arthaland, the foremost green property developer in the Philippines, is committed to building sustainable developments. With a vision that extends to enriching lives at home, work, in communities, and throughout the nation, Arthaland’s projects epitomize a holistic approach to prosperity.

Cebu: A Place of Encounters

Udtong Tutok as an illuminating action sheds light upon the significance of regional cultures in the development of Philippine art. By bringing the works outside the Cultural Center of the Philippines to the regions, the objects encounter new audiences – inviting strangers to pause from their busy day, to converse with them, unravel new paradigms, and chart new relationships.

In the context of Cebu, the exhibition aims to provide much-needed conversation on Philippine modern and contemporary art amidst Cebuano artists’ strong leanings towards academic classicism. The exhibition remembers the efforts of national artist Jose Joya who came to Cebu to help establish the first fine arts program outside of Manila in 1975. Since then, his annual visits to Cebu opened up important conversations on modern art and its practices, creating cross-cultural artistic encounters between Manila and Cebu-based artists and ushering in a new direction in Cebuano artmaking. True to its history as a place of encounters, Cebu continues to be an encouraging place for artists of varied interests to reflect, refract, and diffract the waves of creativity into forms that speak true to themselves, their passions, and their beliefs.

Featured Artworks

The exhibition features acclaimed artworks by some of the country’s most celebrated artists.

• National Artist Napoleon Abueva +
• National Artist Federico Alcuaz +
• National Artist Benedicto Cabrera
• National Artist Ang Kiukok +
• National Artist Jose Joya +
• Paz Abad Santos
• Felix Abesamis
• Angelito Antonio
• Antonio Austria +
• Roderico Jose Daroy +
• Imelda Cajipe Endaya
• Josefina Escudero
• Lao Lianben
• David Medalla +
• Edsel Moscoso +
• Justin Nuyda +
• Romulo Olazo +
• Rod Paras-Perez +
• Lisa Perez
• Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. +
• Roger San Miguel
• Solomon Saprid +
• Manuel Soriano +
• Phillip Victor +

The ethnographic objects that are part of the exhibition come from the following ethnolinguistic groups:

• Bagobo
• Blaan
• Bontoc
• Gaddang
• Ifugao
• Ilongot
• Itneg
• Kalinga
• Mandaya
• Manobo
• Maranao
• T’boli

Public Programs

The Woodblock Printmaking Workshop is set to take place on 22 September at 2 pm. The workshop aims to introduce the practice of woodblock printing and sample printworks found in the exhibition to beginners and enthusiasts.

It will immerse participants in the processes of the woodblock relief print method using a range of materials including the woodblock, carving tools, and a handheld baren to press the ink into the absorbent paper.

A guided tour is also scheduled for 29. The tour begins a 4 pm.