Pilipinas Shell breaks boundaries of art and advocacies through tech

As we live through disruptive times, we continue to leverage technology to get by with our daily tasks whether it’s for work or for personal entertainment. For the art scene in the Philippines, while there are a few physical galleries being opened to the public, many still choose to host art-related events online, channeling their creativity, even different advocacies.

Among those is Pilipinas Shell who hosted a series of virtual art interactions or workshops as part of their 54th Shell National Student Arts Competition (NSAC). Anchored on the ‘restART’ theme, these events aim to showcase how art can reinvigorate the country’s future through creativity and craftsmanship in different sub-disciplines.

During the virtual interactions Pilipinas Shell Country Social Performance and Social Investment Manager Conrado Parizal shared that the NSAC reinforces the country’s young generation of artists “to inspire their countrymen to seize the wonder that still surrounds us despite the hardship, to see their own inner light and realize it despite the darkness.”

One of the sessions highlighted  how the pandemic pushed many to explore using tech in innovative art applications. With the use of technology and these livestreams, they have indeed opened new ways for artists to distribute and display their works, and communicate with varying audiences.

Muralist, graphic designer and illustrator Anjo Bolarda shared his fan experiences, “Without tech, I wouldn’t be able to interact and grow my fanbase which is crucial to the life and development of an artist.” Meanwhile, NSAC Alumni Jophel Ybiosa reflected on the advantages of tech to art, “My photos used to be displayed in private exhibits, but now with social media it can be displayed for all to see. What’s important to me is people seeing my works.”

In another session, they also tackled how art also serves a social purpose in communicating beliefs and advocacies. It was discussed that the combination of art and advocacy becomes a synthesis of the artist’s passions and issues. Art, in this sense, is transformed into a platform for ideas or movements that the artist genuinely believes in and champions.

Tokwa Penaflorida, a figurative artist, said, “You cannot really divorce art from other things, especially in helping the economy. Everything we are producing, whether in engineering, media, or even in cerebral things like science and math—all of those are still about the betterment of humanity. Art is always incorporated. It just boils down to being aware of the power it has in the different industries.”

Isko Andrade, a three-time SHELL NSAC winner, acknowledged, “Art is everywhere. Passion and art can express one’s self.” He also reminded young aspiring artists who are struggling with resources that “material is not a hindrance for us to push forward. Overcome your fear.”

As the youth grow to become society’s future leaders, art and the talents of their generation follow suit. The Shell NSAC Virtual Art Interaction has shown that that transformation can be enhanced by both technology and the artist’s own advocacy. Penaflorida described the role that he and his peers will play in the near future:  “Art is the conscience of society. As an artist, you are obligated to give back to our society because it is where we get inspiration.”

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