Art Deco with John Silva

The Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum initiated a heritage forum last Wednesday prior to the “Gabii sa Kabilin” event tonight.

“Growing Up with Art Deco: A Lecture by John L. Silva” featured author and Executive Director for Ortigas Foundation Library, Mr. John L. Silva, discussing about the country’s prominent landmarks and forms of art deco.

With his joint projects with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Silva has organized pictorial exhibits showcasing works by 59 photographers coming from the Visayan region.

He shared his library projects during the forum such as putting up a library at the Iwahig Penal Colony, a low security work farm on the island of Palawan. He also works on other projects that mainly focus on arts, culture and appreciation like conducting lectures on art deco.

“I grew up in an art deco house in Iloilo,” Silva said. He explained that art deco is a movement and is present in many countries.

Art deco is an influential visual arts design style which appeared during the 1920s with its eclectic style often characterized by ‘rich colors, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation.”

During the lecture, Silva showcased examples of art deco found in establishments across the world including some infrastructures found in the Philippines.

In the later part of the forum, Silva commented on the country’s arts education. He said if there was a report card for it, it would have a failing mark. “It scares me,” he added. He also calls it a ‘pathetic situation’ because a beautiful city just like Cebu is inundated by political posters, as if there isn’t any room for art anymore.

“Document your art deco house. Fight for architecture,” Silva shared. According to him, there are no strong heritage laws here in the Philippines and “to be an art deco enthusiast, you need to be an activitist,” he continued.

John L. Silva is also a board member of the Ballet Philippines, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Cinemalaya and Synergeia.

The lecture was an initiative of the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum to discuss about art structures in Cebu City, raising heritage and culture awareness.