Non-random Opponents

April 3 – 20, 2022

Stall 9
Cubao Expo, Quezon City

In the psychology of rock, paper, scissors, non-random opponents are those who have predictable playing strategies and patterns. To gain an advantage and beat the non-random opponent, one must exploit this predictability and psychological weakness.

Taking this as a cue, this #RESBAK exhibit brings together visual artists Mio Aseremo, Carl Chavez, Lara De Los Reyes, Christina Lopez, Ella Mendoza, Cris Mora, Leeroy New, and AK Ocol who render works that question and challenge the widespread and unprecedented scale of state abuse that has prevailed in the last five yearsunder President Rodrigo Duterte.They critically document, interrogate, and resist a system and set of policies that predictably, specifically, and systematically target and labelparticular sectors of society, individuals, institutions, and organizations as enemies. Through art, they push back against a system that allows violence and abuses to prevail.

The words of Ho Chi Minh selected by the late artist Emmanuel Lacaba to introduce his poem “Open Letter To Filipino Artists” comes to mind: “A poet must also learn how to leadan attack.” In the case of Non-Random Opponents, there is no ambiguity but clarity when it comes to these artists’ target and strategy.

The exhibit will run from 3-20 April 2022. The opening reception is at 3 April, 5PM at Stall 09, Cubao Expo in Quezon City and the closing reception will be held online via Zoom (details to be announced). This exhibition is a continuing series that began with “When Salvaged Logs Bloom.”

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