Galerie Raphael Davao kicks off National Art Month 2025 with "Through Vintage Lenses," a two-man exhibit by Richard Arimado and Almer Moneda, inviting the viewers to reflect on Philippine history from a socio-architectural perspective.
*Through a design and style retrospection, we appreciate the diverse ways in which design practitioners and their products of creativity respond to the givens imposed by the Philippine situations .. to transform the texture of everyday' spaces into a designed environment that is livable, comfortable and aesthetically applicable for the Filipino," says renowned architect, art historian, and heritage conservationist Gerard lico from his groundbreaking book Siglo 20: A Century of Style and Design in the Philippines.
Nothing compares to Manila back in its glory days. Once deemed the "Pearl of the Orient", Manila flourished as a cosmopolitan city with neoclassical theaters, museums, art galleries, and central nubs-shared spaces where creativity, culture, and commercial endeavors flourished and provided opportunities for Filipinos. Cultural appreciation has never been more relevant than now, with the rise of artificial intelligence blurring the lines between the authentic and the simulated. In their two-man exhibit, "Through Vintage Lenses," artists Richard Arimado and Almer Moneda celebrate this appreciation, drawing inspiration from a city that has captivated generations, transforming its enduring charm into timeless portraits and vibrant urban scenes.
"In the collection, Almer Moneda presents an Old Manila suspended in rich technicolor, evoking the aesthetics of more noveau styles with minimal background, directing the focal point to its beloved subject. This interesting mix of vintage and modern, in a way, allows deeper appreciation and further intrigue for a city that was once hailed the "Paris of the East."
From another perspective, painter Richard Arimado offers his take on retro-Manila with his ever popular birds-eye views of townscapes and communal life. As an outstanding cultivator of the historical Philippine genre, Arimado's works in this collection delve into the values and shared experiences of these spaces, capturing moments of joy, unity, and productivity that resonate deeply with the Filipino spirit.
In retrospect, it is through Arimado and Moneda's vintage lenses that we discover, rediscover and celebrate the enduring beauty of Manila's golden age-an age where art, design, and culture thrived and inspired generations to come.
About the artists:
Richard Arimado. Born and raised in Manila, has always had strong artistic inclinations. He studied Drafting Tech at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and Advertising at the Panday Sining Art Study Center. This early, Arimado has already developed a masterly style and his own artistic signature by painting birds--eye views of pedestrians and their commutes.
 |
| Richard Arimado |
Almer Moneda. (b.1987) is a Filipino contemporary artist hailing from Paete, Laguna. He is no stranger to visual arts. His degree in drafting from Laguna State Polytechnic University has given him a superb eye for anatomy and an ability to intricately depict figures and silhouettes of Old Manila - a subject he favors the most.
 |
| Almer Moneda |
"Through Vintage Lenses" exhibit runs from February 1-15, 2025 at the Galerie Raphael Davao, Azuela Cove, Lanang, Davao City.
(PR)
