“Hila-bana: Espasyo Temporal” -- Exhibit Opening
The John Hope Franklin Center and Asian/Pacific Studies Institute are hosting Filipina street muralist Venazir Martinez to Duke's campus to feature selections from her work in the John Hope Franklin Center art gallery as part of Filipino American History Month.
The exhibition, part of "Hila-bana Espasyo Temporal" delves into the dynamics of human interaction, dispersion, and identity formation across space and time. The intention is to create a psychogeographic map that captures the essence of contemporary Filipino indigenous and diasporic identities-within this temporal expanse, shared memories and collective experiences meld, forming the foundation of their shared identity.
Emerging from the Hila-bana street art movement that started in 2018 in Baguio City, Philippines, "Hila-bana" is rooted in the Tagalog term "hilbanahan," meaning temporary stitching. It embodies the symbiotic journey of individuals of diverse ethnicities. The pulang sinulid, or red thread, analogous to the DNA that runs through our veins, becomes a vital strand intertwining with our indigenous traditions, echoing the threads that course through the heart of our ancestral heritage. Across lived spaces, the subjects weave tales of cultural exchange, their footprints retracing the rhythm of urbanity and the ever-evolving movement of its inhabitants.
Event schedule:
4-5pm: View artist work & live music featuring West Oxking
5-5:30pm: Dr. Anna Storti will briefly introduce Venazir Martinez, followed by an artist talk and Q & A.
Light refreshments will be provided.
The exhibition will remain on display in the Gallery at the John Hope Franklin Center through the end of October 2023.
About the artist:
Venazir Martinez (www.venazir.com/) is a Filipino visual anthropreneur, and a street muralist. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines Baguio. She was awarded Best Thesis through her art and advocacy entitled Hila-bana. This street art hunt challenged the public's visual perception through cultural emblems to revitalize Filipino ancestral heritage.
