MIGUEL & ME: the story of a late bloomer and her violin May 17, 2012

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When I want something, I try to do something about it.

So when I was asked what musical instrument do I want to rock out in my next life, I said the violin.

And so as not to waste time, I got meself one and baptized it Miguel.

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So while teaching some kids from the community in Zambales how to make their own documentary,

these kids were also teaching me how to play the violin.

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JULIAN AT 5 years old
(found this image on the internet, ain’t he a cutie

JULIAN at 12

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Julian Duque was my first teacher. He was actually the one who let me experience how it is to hold a violin. It was during this moment that I felt this connection with the instrument. Naks! He was also the one who gave in to our request for a concerto. He played so well he made our hearts swell, haha rhyme! But really, he is fun to watch and a joy to listen to. This kid has so much to offer… There’s so much inside of him and he’s just bursting with all this energy that is affecting everybody who watches him. This boy is gonna go places, with a gift like his, I want to be just like him in my next life

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This is Miguel, yep he’s got the same name as my violin  He was the one who taught me how to do the musical scales properly. He also taught me the 4th variation of  twinkle, twinkle little star, the first piece that I learned. I asked him when can I do the vibrato, he said anytime Haha, easy for him to say, he started playing the violin at the age of 3!!!

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This is now my regular teacher, Remed, he is actually more strict compared to them. Some say he’s the bad boy of the group, must be the bangs but to me he is an effective teacher. I mean, I can now properly play the violin, aruruteynkyu to him, and I’m actually on my 8th piece already, so he must be doing something right  I told him I prefer faster pieces to play but he told me that I need to go through the musical scales first and that I need to do it correctly. Yes sir-ee!

I just watched his solo performance last weekend at Casa and boy was he a delightful surprise! I didn’t know he was that good! He gave a heart-wrenching performance, everybody in the theater felt his passion and emotion. I am a proud student, bravo teacher Remed!!!

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These kids (kids because I’m much older than them!) all started out in Casa San Miguel and is part of the Pundaquit Virtuosi. They were all trained by no other than the world-renowned violinist, Coke Bolipata. Now, they play alongside him and in fact headed to Europe (Paris-Rome-Venice) this June  for a concerto. Halukatdat!

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I watched them perform at Casa San Miguel’s theater hall and I was just in awe. Every note they played tugged my heartstrings. It was also my first time to watch Sir Coke perform and I just wanted to cry. I hear what he’s been saying about art exponents in music. During a conversation before their performance, he mentioned that we will hear some movements of impressionism & pointillism and I really saw it painted by his violin…

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I feel that it’s never too late to learn something new…

So here I am at 35 trying to learn how to play the violin from these child prodigies.

Hopefully in my next life, I will be as great as them, but for now I will rock out my version of Twinkle, twinkle…

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*** performance video of the virtuosi to follow

http://theartofeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/what-a-weekend-casa-san-miguel/

Featured Artist: VINCENT MOON April 18, 2012

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PARIS –   I’ve been watching la blogotheque’s take away shows and dreams of not only catching a performance on the streets of Paris or inside private homes but also being part of the crew. So I did what I had to do, I sent them my hopes and dreams, but alas, no news…

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Flash forward to 2012

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MANILA  - The dream of working for La Blogotheque did not push through but the hope of meeting one of the creators did happen! I cannot believe that he is here, breathing the same humid air! French Filmmaker VINCENT MOON is in the Philippines, Halukatdat!!! 

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PARIS TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!

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Tell us what you are doing now.

Riding a bus in Ethiopia

 

How did you discover your true calling? When was the exact moment you realized that this is what you really want to do?

I never thought of it like that. It happened, one day i look back and realize i have been walking on that path.

 

What did you go through to get it?

Complete and crazy desire to know everything.

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What’s your style and what are your themes?

My style is my style, dont know what else to say about it. You are the one who is supposed to develop on this, not me

 

What differentiates your style from the rest?

I have no idea what is the rest.

 

Where do you get your ideas/concepts/inspiration?

Travelling.

 

Do you have a ritual that you do before you start the creation? .

I stretch my legs.

 

Walk us through your regular day – do you work on one film at a time or do you do things simultaneously? Do you work better during day time or night time? Share with us your process..

It changes everyday but its often complete chaos, mixing everything.

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What are your weapons of choice? What kind of camera and microphone do you use to capture the moment? What gadgets do you bring when you shoot?

Often people ask me about how i record, film, create those colors etc… it’s all very simple, and here’s my little recipe. I film mostly those days with the Panasonic 171, on which I use a shotgun mic. I record sounds separately using a 4-track recorder, on which I plug from 1 to 4 standard Sennheiser wireless transmitters, using different laveliers, Sanken or Tram. I also use one or two ambient mics if possible on the 4-track , an omni directionnal and an ultra directional being a perfect deal. I often add to all this another isolated small recorder, the Zoom H4N being really good. I then work on final cut pro all of my edits, and even do the color corrections in it. (petitesplanetes.cc)

 

What is it that you want to say through your art?

Something that I can’t say with words.

 

How has your works evolved into what it is now?

Constant curiosity.

 

What fascinates and inspires you? and how does it influence what you do?

Life in general, any elements. Mostly wind and rivers now.

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Where do you want to bring your Art?

Around the planet in my bag.

 

What dream do you still want to fulfill?

No dreams. Just making things.

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What keeps you going? What keeps you doing what you do?

The possibilities of developing some new ancient ways of being together.

 

What is the art of everyday for you?

Every elements.

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website _ www.vincentmoon.com 

label _ www.petitesplanetes.cc

blog _ www.fiumenights.com 

As of this interview, Vincent Moon is in Ethiopia filming… This feature is created by Jazel Kristin especially for

“The Art of Everyday.“ Colored images from his website, black & white photos shot by JK during Vincent Moon’s talk 

at the UP Film Center last March 12, 2012.

ENDLESS POSSIBLITIES March 8, 2012

I’ve been really sick the past weeks – cough, fever, tooth ache, back pain and all. My body may have been suffering but my soul is just soaring. This time with/for myself has been productive. I’ve been creating and preparing for something  exciting but of course I try to rest but it’s really hard. Even if I’m lying down, my mind is just restless. Too many ideas in my head. I’ve been missing this exhilarating feeling for quite some time and despite the physical pain, I am just truly excited by the endless possibilities.

the making of something February 16, 2012

My body is still stuck in a parallel universe, dozing in and out of zones. Been watching memories and noting it all down, preparing something that is going to be beyond me. Fueled by dreams and passion, this dragon year started out with a fiery roar.

I AM ALL FIRED UP, LET’s GO GO GO!!!

I AM JK

ONCE UPON A TIME February 8, 2012

Once upon a time

I had a dream

. . .

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and then

it came true

 

I’M ONE HAPPY DAUGHTER

MISSING December 5, 2011

I MISS staying put in one space and just losing meself . . .

I remember one time, I didn’t go out for days

I just kept on creating collages after collages for my exhibition.

There was also another time when I was editing during the Christmas holidays and I needed to finish this documentary. I was so into it, I spent Christmas eve or was it New Year alone with just Mithi, my first laptop.

Hahahahapinyunyir!

I MISS my RITUALS before the creation…

I used to sneak behind my sisters back and use her apartment as my atelier.

I loved waking up early in the morning and walking towards my makeshift creative space. Setting the mood with some music, opening the windows and letting the morning light shine in. I then lay down my materials, one by one on the white table,

and then

PLAY

…

I MISS creating something personal. Expressing what I have inside. Speaking with my heart through my hands.

COMMUNICATING

I MISS this kind of focus

CONCENTRATING

I MISS this feeling

SMILING

. . .

And so I vow after this upcoming soul trip,

i will lock meself up again and just lose it.

create. go crazy. let go.

 

A B A N G A N

 

 

SHOUT OUT TO THE UNIVERSE November 8, 2011

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I WILL HAVE AN EXHIBITION NEXT YEAR ! 

I am not yet exactly sure where but I BELIEVE it will happen.

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SNIPPETS of INSPIRATION September 12, 2011

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“You have to find your voice…

Sing out loud so you can be heard. “

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Mannix or Emmanuel Santos in the international art scene, was in town and we agreed to meet up in Place de l’Opera. It was sunny and I didn’t mind waiting a bit at the footsteps of the Paris Opera Garnier. I watch the tourists taking photos of the grandiose architecture, some were eating sandwiches while the others were just soaking in the sun.

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“Always think of the big picture… Your works should be eternal.

50 years from now, people should be able to look at your work and think that it is still good.”

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I met Mannix some years back at a friends place in Manila. I didn’t know then that he was a fine art photographer, he asked me what I do and through my friends prodding, I showed Mannix some of my handmade photo collages and hand-colored photos from my very first exhibit entitled tRIP (To Rest In Peace).

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“Exhibiting for the sake of recall is not important, you have to come out with shows that are really good. 

Shows that will echo and resonate throughout.”

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hand painting an edition for his PASSING OF LIGHT exhibition

He said he mixes his own pigments and hand-paints his photographs as well. When I saw his works, I was just floored. Hiya naman ako sa mga gawa ko. I told him I should have just kept my talent hidden, hehehe.

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Flash forward to Paris… Mannix & I are walking around Palais Royal, catching up, sipping coffee at this famous café in Place Colette, exchanging, him sharing and me absorbing…

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“You are lucky to be here, surrounded by all these inspirations.

Go out, learn and discover…”

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“Surround yourself with people who can and who will criticize you,

that’s the only way you will learn, evolve and develop.”

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After we parted ways, I had to be by myself  to collect my thoughts and write down these snippets of inspiration. Found a café near the place where I was supposed to meet A’s dad later for a vernissage. I ordered dessert, I continued writing, slowly chewing everything that he said. . .

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“You are still young, you’ll get there.”

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images shot in Paris

tRIP photo collages & hand-colored photos (¤2005) by JK

images of Emmanuel Santos at his Troika Studio in Melbourne, stolen from his FB page (hope you understand )

how my heart behaves July 25, 2011

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INTROSPECTIVE June 1, 2011

 

WHAT AM I HERE FOR?

 

 

I should be way past the tourist path and focus more on exploring the deep.

 

 

I am in a place surrounded by art and grounded by rich culture,

I should take more advantage of that.

 

  

My work should deepen…

I should deepen…

 

 

Away from my comfort zone,

I am personally battling ghosts I never thought existed.

 

 

Last year, I was deeply consumed working on the video installation on Consumption. When a friend watched it for the first time, he couldn’t believe I made it. I think he’s always seen me as the smiley one that creates colorful photo collages… And when he saw images on my video of sex, war and religion, he couldn’t believe that it came from me.

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Have I gone to the dark side?

 

 

In a meeting with a French master photographer I learned that it is best to explore my life and my art more. To get to know the masters and discover the history of what I am doing now. To understand what happened in the past to face my future… I do what I do the only way I know how. I didn’t study art, I didn’t study photography and being here I realized I have sooooo much to learn…

 

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AND EUROPE WILL BE STUNNED

 

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images shot in FIAC 2010