Inauguration

The map on the website of mag:net café shows a red triangle from Mag:net’s three established locations – the one at the Loop at ABS CBN, the one at Paseo in Makati, and the one at Katipunan. The first two were the only ones which had galleries for exhibitions before and the café was only about performances and selling books and other stuff. The art comprised mostly of paintings and other works on the walls and tables of the upstairs café, the framed collages almost shrieking down for attention from the endless rows of magazines. But all these has been revamped for the completion of Mag:net’s art triangle. The Mag:net café Katips has recently renovated its ground floor to accommodate a gallery for changing exhibitions. The gallery was inaugurated last Feb. 13 with a show featuring works by Ronald Achacoso, Gus Albor, Juan Alcazaren, Poklong Anading, Pablo Biglang-awa, Lito Carating, Roberto Chabet, Louie Cordero, Pardo de Leon, Rock Drilon, Nilo Ilarde, Jonathan Olazo, Jayson Oliveria, Bernardo Pacquing, Gerry Tan, Nestor Olarte Vinluan, MM Yu, Alvin Vllaruel, Regyuson. Nilo Ilarde who curated this show, had to do last minute hangings that afternoon as some of the works were still also trying to get the hang of it, to the newness of the space, giddy-nervy for the future shows to be held there. Almost everyone came early, even having had the chance of watching Anading removing the glass from the recessed box just outside the door and replacing what used to hang there - a yellow shirt with “This is what a destabilizer looks like” printed on it with his video installation. It showed shots of a performance where he, dressed as a magnet staff, asked guests to sign/write in air with a paint brush with a small camera attached to it. It was like reclaiming space with one’s signature. Or since it was installed in said white box, Anading somehow is also defining space for the literary set – the poet’s alcove.

At the gallery’s end, passing by two neatly paired desks which serves as the office and purchasing counter, are the books, also neatly pared down to columns of shelves tucked away at the walled corner, giving more privacy when perusing these books, and as I also found out that night, a perfect nook for a couple I chanced upon sneaking kisses. Hmm, well the books are always there to be perused and or purchased for the next couple of days anyway. So maybe next time I’ll look through them. But of course, Mag:net is prioritizing books by Philippine authors and by local publishers. You may also visit their website where they have a book/magazine list and an order form ready for downloading and sending.

Going for a pee at the upstairs cafe is a maze through bewilderment since the restroom was turned also into an exhibit space. The CR gallery, as it’s called was actually been opened last month by Mag:net’s prime mover Rock Drilon’s swirling serpentine brush strokes. Now, it’s being developed for more engaged and critical art projects with this month’s featured artist Gerry Tan. For his project, entitled Stripping, he had asked people to take pictures inside the toilet during the past gig nights he has attended. “The collected photos of walls, floor, ceiling, the urinal and body parts are installed horizontally at eye level around the walls of the café and runs over bare walls, speakers, glass panels, wine bottles and paintings. The work includes a small monitor inside the toilet showing a dvd loop of the video “strip” of the café where the pictures are installed.” Though the photos and the video installation are seeming documentation, they instead frustrate what may be seen in an otherwise private space, hence confusing the divide between public and private space, divulgement and concealment. Some photos were blurry you’d wonder if they were bare breasts or something else or just the alcohol’s effect on you – “The Ice will play tricks on you” as it says on a San Miguel Strong Ice napkin holder.

I didn’t get to watch the performances by sound artists Pow Martinez and Ria Munoz, electronica-based Drip, and drum and bass ensemble Nyco Maka that night as everyone’s so boozed out, the café so packed, the tables and seats all occupied. Oh well, there’s a month and a quarter year to catch them anytime at Mag:net café again. Just take note of the weekly schedules of performances posted on the website.

As the night wore on, tables and seats were ever being warmed by a round of new occupants. The steps leading to next door International Exchange Bank offered alternative seating which was way more open for moon gazing or waving to blissed out friends groggily hailing a cab and unto another night, another opening, another gathering, to this new-found haven for wondrous enchantment/engagement.