UPD: Where Art is Free by Mia Fortugaleza

            “When there is no freedom, there is no creativity.” – Soud Qbeilat, Jordanian Writers Association President

UP Diliman is not only a haven for the liberal (or the less conservative), but it is also a haven for the artistic. Walking around the campus gives one a truly amazing time to reflect and appreciate the scenery. Simply the buildings’ breathtaking architecture and the campus landscape are already beautiful works of art. What makes them even more brilliant and interesting is knowing that they are culturally and historically significant.

            The establishment of the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA) paved the way for its students to learn more about and practice their craft. Aside from the obvious artistic environment, the university also provides its students with an amazing faculty and exposes them to various opportunities for them to reach their true potential. As the years went on, more and more iskolars were able to express themselves and create their own identity for the whole world to see. Fraternities and organizations focusing on visual art also began to emerge like The University of the Philippines Artists’ Circle Fraternity, which created a mural that can be found in Palma Hall’s second floor. Another organization, which is the UP Art Studies Society (UP ASS), has also been helping its members improve on their craft through interacting with other artists and holding different talks and workshops.

            UPD’s official museum, Vargas Museum, contains works from well-known Filipino artists such as Fernando Amorsolo and Victorio Edades. It also serves as a location for other temporary exhibits. As for the Fine Arts (and non Fine Arts) students who want to display their works, they are usually found at the College of Fine Arts building lobby and are constantly changed every month.

Photo by Tricia Racela

            Nowadays, however, artworks found around the UP Diliman campus are limitless. They are literally all over the place. Some of which are empowering yet some of which may probably be considered foul. From a graffiti of our president situated on a walkway and a random structure of a toilet bowl (symbolizing how the oppressive government flushes its people and their riches down the drain) along the corridor up to the school’s newspaper, these students’ hunger for expression seems to be unstoppable. Although these artworks could possibly spark numerous violent reactions, people who enter UP seem to develop a more open mind as to how some people perceive society.

Kurt Prieto, a Fine Arts student in UP Diliman shares, “For example, the front cover of the SONA issue of our school paper had Noynoy surrounded by riot shields and the protesters’ complains were being ignored. Some of the controversial styles or images being portrayed are exaggerated to get the attention of the readers to focus on the related article.”

 “I’m actually in favor of this.” he adds. “It’s news from the students and for the students (and other members of the community). Other writers or artists know something about the society that some people don't. They want to share this information in a collaborated manner that would appeal to a larger audience. These members of the school paper want less ignorant people in their school and are actually improving the "mental quality" of its audience, a key trait that keeps students in the university.”

There is a very thin line between trying to create a fair point and expressing an honest opinion. As much as these kinds of artworks are encouraged, students should still learn how to control themselves and make sure that their works are not overdone. Perhaps, it would be more intriguing to find out what the system thinks of its own community.

Does the libertarian system think these artworks are their responsibility or of its fearless students? Technically, it’s a bit of both.

Photo by Tricia Racela

"A great amount of freedom given to the editorial cartoonists to portray some parts of the government in a negative way as the artworks in general, are used as a tool to make people more aware about the country's current status something. For random street arts, I think they should be regulated because they can look very messy and dirty around the campus.” Kurt says. “Very inappropriate art around the campus really makes our school look bad and not so ‘one of the top universities’.”

Being a Fine Arts major doesn’t automatically make one in favor of this trend. As much as it is a practice of freedom of expression, it still poses a great risk. Given what these creative minds have, it is up to them to decide on how to properly utilize their skills as well as the opportunities presented to them by the university they think could unleash their true potential.

“Those who add works to the school's museum or make sculptures around the campus show their love for the school by contributing their own artwork. I think they are also courageous for having their artwork displayed in such a public place. Street artists often show their concern for the society.” the Fine Arts major answers when asked about his insights on these young artists.

There is absolutely no such thing as a wrong or unacceptable artwork. There are only plenty of brave artists fueled by their passion to make a name for themselves through their craft. It is indeed obvious that UP produces the most outspoken people our country has. The students do not aim to please everyone with their works. Like most people, they only wish to be respected as artists and concerned Filipino citizens.

References: 

"About CFA." College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, Diliman. UP CFA, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013. <http://up-cfa.com/the-college/>.
"Artists Circle Fraternity - IskWiki!" Artists Circle Fraternity - IskWiki! Diliman Interactive Learning Center, 25 July 2013. Web. 28 July 2013. <http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Artists_Circle_Fraternity>.
Fabella, Lindsey. "An Art Walk to Remember in UP Diliman." Liveitup.blogspot.com. Live It Up!, 18 May 2012. Web. 06 Aug. 2013. <http://eng1-liveitup.blogspot.com/2012/05/art-walk-to-remember-in-up-diliman.html>."Honor and Excellence: UP Diliman Through the Years." Honor and Excellence: UP Diliman Through the Years. University of the Philippines Diliman, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013. <http://www.upd.edu.ph/hist.htm>.
Prieto, Kurt. E-mail interview. 1 Aug. 2013.
"UP Art Studies Society." UP Art Studies Society – IskWiki! Diliman Interactive Learning Center, 7 July 2013. Web. 28 July 2013. <http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/UP_Art_Studies_Society>.