The Extra Extra Ordinary

Tromarama, Chou Yu-Cheng and Gary-Ross Pastrana

Curated by Joselina Cruz and Esther Lu

September 20–November 18, 2018

Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila
G/F De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts (SDA) Building, Dominga St. Malate, 1004, Metro Manila Philippines

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10am–6pm
 Sunday 10am–2pm

T: +63 2305100 local 3897 E: mcad@benilde.edu.ph W: www.mcadmanila.org.ph facebook.com/MCAD.Manila — Twitter: @mcadmanila — Instagram: @mcadmanila

The Extra Extra Ordinary proposes a new sensory processor to attend our contemporary everyday life with add-on movements and sensitivities. The title suggests an abstraction of affects shared among the human and the non-human; their correlation and disjoints as informed by contemporary objects, technology and culture. The exhibition also presents possibilities towards the generation of various sets of social and material connections, finding ourselves simultaneously in the process of becoming and worlding.

The growing tension to unlearn ethics between human and non-human worlds is one of the burning issues of our time. We question the culture we’ve inherited in the face of accumulated ecological catastrophes, of wars and the continuously increasing debts that are passed on to the coming generations. Our anxiety goes even further beyond traditional boundaries with technology invention in rapid speed. Many of us have been addressing ideas of the Post-Human and that of New Materialism as possibilities of finding ways to think beyond human principles, reasons and perspectives. The Extra Extra Ordinary shares such concerns specific to our modern material conditions, and seeks to offer an alternative spacetime for us to exercise and explore how we can relate ourselves among things seen and unseen.

By creating a simulation of such a worlding process with works presented by artists, The Extra Extra Ordinary conceives many unparalleled sensibilities to operate the essence of life in detail, inter exchanges and connections among matter, energy and life. With the circulation of these ideas, where agents such as audience become intrinsic parts of the media outputting the extraordinary celebration of every ordinary life takes on a poetic and imaginative turn.

#TheXXOrdinary

Invite:
https://www.facebook.com/events/278794059395831/

Upcoming Public Programs:

In-Conversation: September 20, 4–5:30pm, Esther Lu, Tromarama, Chou Yu-Cheng, Gary- Ross Pastrana, 
12F De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde SDA Cinema

Immersive workshop with curator, Esther Lu: September 21,
3–5pm, A series of activities exploring the senses, observation practice and writing.

Art21 Screening: October 3, 12–1pm, MCAD partners with Art21’s Screening Society for the launch of the ninth season of ‘Art in the Twenty-First Century’.

Stop-motion Animation Workshop: October 13, 10am–5pm, In partnership with Benilde’s Animation Department, this hands-on experience for kids aged 10-14 uses the latest Stop Motion, Studio App.

Partnership and Sponsors

The Extra Extra Ordinary is presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) and the Taipei Contemporary Art Center (TCAC). The show is generously supported by Edouard Malingue Gallery and the National Culture and Arts Foundation (NCAF).

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About the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

As part of the artistic community of the College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) is a unique institution that offers the experience of and exposure to contemporary art and its various publics, with a focus on Manila, Philippines as context.

Distinct for its position as a non-collecting institution, MCAD’s contemporary art exhibitions, public programs, as well as other cultural and art-inspired undertakings showcase the possibilities of technology, new media and presents content that encourages engagement with art and culture, its practice and production, as well as its presentation and interpretation.

Professionally recognized for its standards in curatorial and exhibition practice, MCAD is a space where art is central. By remaining reflexive and responsive to changes in society, politics and the production of ideas, the Museum seeks to develop an innovative and inclusionary paradigm where “free access for all” addresses not only a cross-section of social classes, but also of knowledges.

About De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Benilde is a learning environment that nurtures students to develop their interests and passions, and trains them to become professionally competent in established industries and emerging fields of specialization.

At Benilde, learning in its many forms is encouraged. Spiritual creative pursuits, artistic endeavors, service to the community, awareness of environmental issues, and concern for the common good are all part of the Benildean education. The College’s learner-centered philosophy is founded on the belief that each student is endowed by God with talents and gifts that should be understood, appreciated and nurtured.

About Taipei Contemporary Art Center

The core value and mission of TCAC is to create critical public sphere, promote international exchange and provide diverse art experiment possibilities and learning programs. TCAC investigates the practice of conceptual institution and organization through reflecting the critical paradigms of the cultural environment, and respond to the needs and desires of the local community to explore cross field and cross cultural exchanges.

Since 2010, TCAC has organized more than 400 events, featuring various exhibitions, forums, talks, workshops, performances in the program. The main projects include: Young Artist Salon and Friday Bar (2010-2011), Forum Biennial of Taiwanese Contemporary Art (2010), exhibition Trading Futures (2012), Curating Now and Institutions Forum (2013), The Burning Issues Residency (2014), international workshop and forum Made in Public (2015), exhibition Portrait Portrait (2016), international forum Common Task (2016), TCAC Curatorial School from 2014 to 2016 and Salon Spice (2017), etc.

For press-related inquiries, please email Patricia Paredes (patriciaana.paredes@benilde.edu.ph).