A mind-merging experiment between Julian Udine, Miko Holly-Hayashi, and Angelo Bartolome. The artists engaged in an intensely collaborative process, where co-creation is central, and there is no clear beginning and end between each artist’s work. Similar to a superorganism, the artists worked in an interconnected manner, adopting a sensitive, responsive, and interactive approach to each other’s making in real time. The artists sewed 25 meters of fabric simultaneously, engaged in the same tasks, and worked intuitively to weave their varied styles into one another.
Incorporating elements from each artist’s practice, such as brass work, shibori stitching, and coral moulds, the artists welcomed intercultural references to converge and create layers of material harmony and historical tension: Embedded in the shibori-stitched fabric are plaster replicas of coral skeletons found in the Philippines. Shibori is a Japanese technique that we used to emulate these corals, yet Japan has historically occupied and exploited the Philippines’ natural resources. Additionally, hammered brass in the shape of jellyfish are suspended as interactive bells for the audience to play. Brass is a significant metal among Philippine indigenous communities, serving as a replacement for the once-abundant traditional gold. Meanwhile, bells are significant in Japanese spirituality for purification and warding off evil. By engaging in shared making, the artists not only negotiate the creation of a tranquil space for their audience, but also make sense of complex elements, relationships, and histories within and between their respective cultures.
Julian Udine 