Noel Sales Barcelona
In the animated movie produced by Pixar, Ratatouille, one of the lead characters Anton Ego (voiced by the late actor Peter O’Toole), imparted to the audience one very important lesson, which I keep to my heart as an author and as a cultural worker:
In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new: an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto, “Anyone can cook.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from *anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau’s, who is, in this critic’s opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau’s soon, hungry for more.
Nouveau: Fresh Minds, Fresh Talents is my own attempt to feature the works of new and budding artists in the local art industry who I believe that will be able to achieve greatness when it comes to their craft. Some of them were very young and there is one who is already fared well in his career as a Baptist pastor, art dealer, and a framer.
In this e-book, solely written, produced, and published by yours truly, in partnership with the non-profit independent press, Ang Paraluman Press, aims to give these new artists an avenue to showcase their works to the world, not in an exhibit form but in a book that is easy to read, and they can download for free. The reviews of the works are quite straightforward and the choice of artworks, relatively, can give the audience the glimpse or a bird’s eye-view of the artists’ artistic direction in the future. While it is true that their respective artistic style may still change in the future, what is important is that we are able to chronicle the early stages of their development as an artist.
As Anton Ego said in his monologue in Ratatouille, most of the “experts” are hostile toward new talents. Personally, I have came across one “master” who told me that I should “get more masters” in my books or the magazines that I am managing for it will give the publication more prestige. It seems that this man tends to forget that he was once a budding artist too, who struggled to get his niche in this world we call art.
The artists that were included in the e-book are Lanizze Jhane Babatuan, Jayson Borlon, Diane Cabas, Ingrid Valerie Cagas, Joemarie Cagas, Cedric Capistrano, Jessica Casaljay, Rev. Obien S. Clet Jr., Zyril Jae Contridas, Rafaella Elizah Bragais Dala, Maine De Chavez, Alessandra Denise De Leon, Marque De Leon, Arvin Delos Santos, John Paul Endiza, Dominic Fabio, Krister Jhude Isip, Rochelle Ann “Freya” Jadormio, Jude Vincent Lapinid, Vince Martin Macatangay, Joel Dawn Masdo, Jenella L. Medina, Mae Lineth Mefania, Mark Gil C. Mekitpekit, Christian Mike Meno, Liana Mariz P. Mesina, Alexandra Marie H. Monserrat, Maria Len Len Morales, John Mark Navarro, Lex Persephone E. Nuqui, Alyssa Marie Pacete, Yurika Palmones, Crishaira Peliño-Bode, Janina Sanico, Aminah Sioson, Sarah Jane Tumambing, Chress Yee Rufon, and Maris Ventures.
I truly believe that these artists who can create uniquely beautiful works of art deserve to be included in Nouveau. You may download the e-book here.
