Ode to Common Things

Curious Buffet exhibit happened last June 29. I am still on post-exhibit high after the event.

It was jam-packed with people and the works are all amazing! Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures out of pure excitement and happiness.

Photos from Jamie Bauza and Angela Taguiang

Curious Menu by Kay Aranzanso

Lechon by Pergy Acuna

bottles by Jason

Plate by Abi Dayacap

Pasta and Forgetfulness by Al Estrella

Breakfast by Jamie Bauza

Plate by Angela Taguiang

Yey! People!

Then some of my works :)

Ode to Common Things

Coconut grater

Pitcher set

See other works of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan!

Curious Buffet exhibit runs til July 13, 2013 at POST (formerly Pablo) at Cubao X, Quezon City

Ode to Common Things

by Pablo Neruda

I have a crazy,

crazy love of things.

I like pliers,

and scissors.

I love

cups,

rings,

and bowls -

not to speak, or course,

of hats.

I love

all things,

not just

the grandest,

also

the

infinitely

small -

thimbles,

spurs,

plates,

and flower vases.

Oh yes,

the planet

is sublime!

It's full of pipes

weaving

hand-held

through tobacco smoke,

and keys

and salt shakers -

everything,

I mean,

that is made

by the hand of man, every little thing:

shapely shoes,

and fabric,

and each new

bloodless birth

of gold,

eyeglasses

carpenter's nails,

brushes,

clocks, compasses,

coins, and the so-soft

softness of chairs.

Mankind has

built

oh so many

perfect

things!

Built them of wool

and of wood,

of glass and

of rope:

remarkable

tables,

ships, and stairways.

I love

all

things,

not because they are

passionate

or sweet-smelling

but because,

I don't know,

because

this ocean is yours,

and mine;

these buttons

and wheels

and little

forgotten

treasures,

fans upon

whose feathers

love has scattered

its blossoms

glasses, knives and

scissors -

all bear

the trace

of someone's fingers

on their handle or surface,

the trace of a distant hand

lost

in the depths of forgetfulness.

I pause in houses,

streets and

elevators

touching things,

identifying objects

that I secretly covet;

this one because it rings,

that one because

it's as soft

as the softness of a woman's hip,

that one there for its deep-sea color,

and that one for its velvet feel.

O irrevocable

river

of things:

no one can say

that I loved

only

fish,

or the plants of the jungle and the field,

that I loved

only

those things that leap and climb, desire, and survive.

It's not true:

many things conspired

to tell me the whole story.

Not only did they touch me,

or my hand touched them:

they were

so close

that they were a part

of my being,

they were so alive with me

that they lived half my life

and will die half my death.

6.27.2013

Curious Things

by Iori Espiritu

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We will be having a group show this Saturday (June 29) at Post (formerly Pablo gallery) at Cubao X. If you're curious enough, feel free to drop by our Curious Buffet! It is a showcase of kitchen wares from pots to pans to plates and spoons with a dash of art and a pint of creative juices! I'll be displaying my ceramics and some weird creature from -gasp- a coconut grater. :))

Poster by James Abalos and Company

(EDIT: Wiji Lacsamana for embroidery, Lou Pineda, Charlene Villamor and Jamie Bauza for illustration!! Hi friends)

Unfortunately, my intended set of works didn't make it on time for the exhibit

but I'll find good use for it in the future.

On a different note, here are some recent and not so recent works from the wood-fired kiln.

Shino-glazed tea set. Inspired by Nelfa Querubin's use of lines

Looks good for ramen, yes?

Some odd shape that was part of a bigger piece but broke off.

I got this jar from the kiln just a few days ago and I love Joey de Castro's blue glaze!

I am almost sure I colored these green but it turned out blue.

A thing with ceramics is do not expect too much, there will always be something that turns out differently

And I am genuinely in love with the imperfections.

(Same goes with life)

Mixing and matching my wares

Loving the contrast of textures here :)

-End-

See you on the weekend, folks!

6.04.2013

My First Book!

by Iori Espiritu

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I got my complimentary copies from Adarna House! I'm so happy to have my first children's book published! I've had this dream since high school I think, and I've always listed it in my things to do before I die. I'm taking baby steps, but everything has its own time.

Yey for accomplishments!

With an F

Mga Hayop sa Filipinas is a board book published by Adarna House. Illustration by yours truly.

Also some works in progress...

Hurray for productivity!

As for pottery, I happened to crunch in some studio time over last week's busy schedule and tried something spontaneous...

Tadaaa! My first attempt at making a donut-shape vessel!

Took some time to figure it out!I made a teapot out of this double wall.

I forgot to take a shot of the finished product, sadly. :)

Posting latest ceramic works on next entry.

5.17.2013

Clay Ave Pottery Studio

by Iori Espiritu

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Summer is about to end! I've been busy with a few things for the past months including teaching/assisting at Clay Ave Pottery Studio as i have last year. It has been a colorful summer for us, starting with a TV feature for MYX. (You can view the segment here. Pardon my poor editing skills) Clay Ave also participated in a couple of events. One is at Greenbelt 3 at the Kitchen where we facilitated a ceramic painting workshop with international delegates from PruLife UK. The other one was a Preschool and Summer Workshop Fair at Eastwood Mall. We brought the electric wheel at the venue and made a demo infront of people!

Setting up at Kitchen

40++ international participants

Their works! Acrylic paint on bisque fired bowls.

This is not foodsafe. For decoration purposes only.

Also, did you spot the Jackson Pollock? :)

Photos Copyright (c) Victor Guererro

The following days were spent at the Eastwood Mall.

Four days manning the booth with friends accompanying me from time to time.

We let passers-by try pottery for the first time

Also, old students did a demo!

Overall, it was a tiring but fun week.

Meanwhile at the ceramics studio, students are still getting their hands dirty with clay!

We are on our last batch of students for the summer.

A new schedule will be posted for regular sessions soon!

Visit Clay Ave's website for more details

4.22.2013

Mangroves and Unending Seas

by Iori Espiritu

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After Palasan Island we visited neighboring island of Cabungalunan.

Unlike the first, this island has a dense population.

Some houses would be in stilts by the river. Some are on top of rocks

Also, it is covered with mangrove forests.

There are coves around the island that is only accessible by low tide. It is suitable for picnic areas.

I snorkeled the whole afternoon. Not too many fish, sadly.

Next day was spent back in Sabang, Polillo

This is our backyard.

Blues

Greens

Grasshoppers!!

Also rowed the boat by myself to pass time :)

End

Palasan Island, Burdeos, Quezon

by Iori Espiritu

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Going back to my hometown requires a lot of strength for traveling.

Right after a three-hour ride by land, you have to endure another 2-hour of sitting in a boat.

I love these long road trips just looking at horizons. How landscapes change from rice fields to mountains, from clear Manila skies to the rainy clouds of the Sierra Madres.

Road trips are also a time where my dad and I come up with the most jokes and stories.

We've heard the same jokes for decades but we still laugh at it.

---------

After a day at the town proper of Polillo,

We headed for Burdeos, a neighbor municipality, to visit my lolo and lola's friends.