Literal: Words Have Never Been This Real

What if the average idiom becomes the subject of an exhibit concept? We get literally Literal.

Sorry, I had my brain removed by neurosurgeons that day.

Sorry, I had my brain removed by neurosurgeons that day.

As the name would suggest, Literal (which opened last December 6, 2013) is a showcase that celebrates idioms taken to a literal level in the field of art and design. From installations like the “Nagmumurang Kamatis” and the “Web of Lies” to more English literary idioms such as “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” to conventional Benilde-centric ones such as “Sabaw”.

Literal!

Literal!

Located at 1335 Mabini Space for Contemporary Art, housed by the beautiful and recently renovated Casa Tesoro found along A. Mabini Street, Ermita, Manila, this is probably the most accessible out of all this term’s line-up of exhibits so far, being only 2 stations away from DLS-CSB. This is perfect considering it can lure-in frequenting tourists passing by as well as art aficionados and antique enthusiasts.

TheĀ casa itself, being newly renovated, was given a fresh coat of white paint, including the interiors so the ambience in the exhibit grounds were really bright and welcoming whereas normally, other old surviving and renovated casas would go for the dim-lighted look.1335 Mabini, which occupies about half of theĀ casa‘s ground floor has several rooms, some of them spacious enough for the 20 Literal exhibitors to install their works and with one room set up as a place for visitors to eat, as well as a centerpoint area that was used for the opening night’s roster of musical guests to provide the entertainment.

Casa Tesoro, the home of Literal.

Casa Tesoro, the home of Literal.

Headed by the ever fab-and-fierce Sir Jesse Lazaro, it seems like he pulled off the impossible with Literal, knowing he also have another one prepping up for their own opening later this month. So props to him and his hard-working students. On December 12 Friday, Sir Jesse will pull double-duty as he oversees the launch of his other class’ exhibit, Shuffle. Let’s see how that one goes.

Unlike the rest of the exhibits this term, Literal Exhibit will run until December 20 so those interested to check out the hilarious take on the average idiom still have a chance to see it.

Share this post