"The String around the world ', the official theme of the Philippine booth official entry for this year upcoming May 9-November 22, 2015 , Venice arts biennnale to curated by Dr. Patrick Flores , Arts historian , Professor of Arts in Philippine University of the Philippines, and Curator of the Ateneo Arts Gallery.

The Philippine  who have been the cross roads of civilization even the times of Marco Polo , the great Italian merchant traveller, fascinated by his mythical enamored with the Middle Kingdom that now China and Christopher Columbus  the discoverer of the New World that is now America on behalf of the Spanish Crown, Philippines participation in the 2015 Venice Arts Biennale need not more logic reasoning . A nation that now and then trying to define his own identity , healing from its own " cultural neuroses ", now completely rebuilding its image at what reasons and cost . 

With China's economic upheaval and its strategic awareness about " the century old  silk maritime road " , is essential for its longterm , sustainable trade routes linking the China from South China sea, to Indian Ocean, then to Ivory Coast of Africa. And the Philippines access to its blue ocean economy which was proven  a success of a halted century old galleon trade , linking Philippines not only to China, but from the  western hemisphere  to South America, Mexico Acapulco, New York, California, then move forward to Europe Spain. For these reason that " 2015 Venice Arts Biennale " could be a fertile ground for a cultural amicable diplomacy , forging a reconciliation of both countries Philippinea and China being a booth neighbor in the upcoming 2015 Venice Arts Festival.

What could be seen in the Philippine arts booth ? 

According to Dr. Patrick Flores, " the Philippines booth thematic tableau , will be composing of like a periodic cinematography where Genghis Khan et all, with a period customs , inspired by the movie of Conde , the  pioneer Film in the Philippines that been exhibited abroad"

"For what ever reason, this is to remind China, perhaps there was one time on their history ,what's it being felt being bullied '?, Paving for the emperor to create a formidable grounded barrier that is now the Great Wall of China. 

Remembering my statement to one of the distinguished officer from Mongolia sitting beside him , in the sit down dinner conference hosted by the Euro- Asia Foundation. " Here is a man from Mongolia whom I should be afraid most ", not the Chinese. , and the Mongolian laugh at his best.

Back to Philippine Booth ,for this year 2015  Venice Arts Biennale , according to Dr. Patric Flores, the segments for the Philippine Pavillion will be composing of the thematic experiences like Ax the Worlds Future, Parliament Forms, (gender disorder), then Capital a live reading.But what is astonishing , showcasing the best of the archipelago is the "Epic for Palawan". Which is a multi dimensional  in nature where fix objects , mobile objects, and sounds intertwine giving way to a reactionary , engaging act for the viewers .

Mr. Patric Flores a working curator himself is a professor of arts history in Philippine University of the Philippines, former curator of Vargas Museum and Ateneo University . 

Henry Estipona

Philippines