CLEAR SENSATIONS (33 x 48 x 27cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
Glass can be the most mundane of materials but in the hands of a true master it can bend, shape and direct light, use shadow to create inner worlds never seen before. Unlike Ramon Orlina’s usual palette of green glass, his most recent exhibit is crystal clear. He used the transparent, colorless medium of optical glass hence the exhibit title.
BEACON (70 x 25 x 25cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. The opening had a prestigious two piano concerto soiree with Ingrid S. Santamaria and Cecile B. Roxas.
Tagaytay Art Beat tickets were sold out and the amphitheater was filled to capacity. The first ever Tagaytay Art Beat held at Museo Orlina last September 19, 2015. Contributed photo
The museum has become a landmark in the tourist destination of Tagaytay, just a corner away from the Silang Rotunda. The museum houses not just the most recent exhibit but also his most memorable works and that of other artists. There’s also an amphitheater that has hosted performers such as Ballet Philippines. It hosted the very successful TAGAYTAY ART BEAT, which featured 16 bands along with an exhibit of up and coming artists.
From left: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS (39 x 26 x 26cm) – DAZZLING VIEWS (51 x 20 x 20cm) – LUMINESENCE (41 x 25 x 24cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
CLEAR IMPRESSIONS more than previous exhibits shows Orlina’s mastery of the medium of glass. With clear glass he is able to use cuts and facets to combine light and shade. Some works have a black background on the wall highlighting shadow areas. CLEAR SENSATIONS (33x28x47cm) is an example. The different shades also change when one views the work from different angles.
Ramon Orlina explains his process on his latest work Ultimate Simplicity which is part of CLEAR IMPRESSIONS exhibit. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
The process allows him to shape his medium. Orlina explains, “You notice I have a dark background apart. These are my new works; they are lit from the bottom. If you change your position it gets other colors of the black to the clear crystal, the optical glass. Some other sides are mostly geometric, polished. I do polish it first then I frost it with sand paper. My work is not like sculpturing like they do in wood or marble chiseling, no. Mine is abrasive. I abrade the glass then cut. Grind with abrasive, smooth, material all with water.”
TRIUMPHANT HARMONY (40 x 33 x 23cm) Carved Green glass 2011- this work is juxtaposed with Taal volcano in the background. This is one of many works in Museo Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
Green glass is different from the imported optical glass. The components used determine the hue. Orlina adds, “The green one is what I used before. The reason it is green is because of the iron content of the silica. If you look at your jalousie, front is clear but when its on the side it becomes green. That is the thickness already. If my glass is this thick and I cut it here this will be less thicker than this one. So this will be lighter than this one. When you move one is lighter and the other darker. It has different facets and different positions you can enjoy the view of the sculpture.”
Ramon with Charlene Gonzalez & Piolo Pascual; 2 of his chosen models for the QUATTROMONDIAL MONUMENT both are alumni of UST as well.
Glass sculpture is even more complex than other mediums such as clay & marble, “Sculpture is different from painting. You have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, actually 32 views on a sculpture and it has to be all good. In the case of glass I have to consider what will be happening on the other side because it’s also exposed. Unlike say marble you look at the front and you don’t know about the backside. In my case when I look here I can see different sides because of the transparent nature of glass.”
GENTLE WAVES (27 x 26 x 26cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
Monina & Anna Orlina
CLEAR IMPRESSIONS also distinguishes itself in another way as two of Ramon Orlina’s daughters join him in this exhibit as co-artists. In spite of being very young, they have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. Monina ‘Ning Ning’ Orlina has a degree in Civil Engineering and has joined the prestigious firm Arup. The firm is responsible for high profile projects such as the St. Francis Shang Rila, which is the first building in the world to adopt ‘a damped-outrigger system’. The feature has a number of safety advantages as well as a more efficient energy distribution. Ning Ning has recently earned an Environmental Engineering scholarship that extends to Barcelona Spain and several other cities in Europe.
From left: Ramon Orlina with daughters Engr. Ningning Orlina and Tagaytay Art Beat Curator Anna Orlina. The first ever Tagaytay Art Beat was held at Museo Orlina last September 19, 2015. Contributed photo.
Anna Orlina is a Multimedia Arts major in the College of St. Benilde who helped design and conceptualize the interactive touch screen display system in Museo Orlina. Ramon’s eldest daughter Naesa has a master’s degree in I.T. Management and works in Brisbane, Australia. Youngest son Michael is in Ateneo taking up Art Management. In order to stay in touch with Naesa in Australia, Ramon uses the fastest most reliable Internet service in PLDT HOME Fibr. He was one of the first ones to take advantage of the extra speed of fiber technology in the country.
Ramon Orlina calls this his giant i-pad: Museo Orlina’s interactive touchscreen display system conceptualized and designed by Anna Orlina. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: PASTEL SUNRISE by Monina & Ramon Orlina (33 x 21 x 21cm) – RADIANT STREAMS by Anna & Ramon Orlina (36 x 26 x 26cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
Monina and Anna’s works are collaborations with their father. The main concept and design is theirs execution is with Ramon and his team. Monina’s work is entitled RADIANT STREAMS (33 x 21 x 21 cm). Anna makes use of pastel colors on optical glass PASTEL SUNRISE (30 x 26 x 26 cm).
Ramon Orlina enjoys chatting with writers left Mars Callo & Ruth Floresca. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
He gave them a free rein while guiding them at the same time, “This show I’ll have my two daughters join me. I let them decide to work on it. Let them do what they want. They are still young. My third one (Anna) is the one who can draw very well. I was an architectural student I can tell you I was the best in hand drawing. When I saw a drawing of my daughter she’s better than me.”
Tagaytay Art Beat tickets were sold out and the amphitheater was filled to capacity. The first ever Tagaytay Art Beat held at Museo Orlina last September 19, 2015. Contributed photo
Ramon is proud of his children, “When I built this I had a sculptured garden, which has an amphitheater. So I can use it for Ballet Philippines, they’ve performed there. The Rio brothers have performed there. Last September 19, my two daughters had their own thing here. My daughter Anna who graduated in CSB St. Benilde major in Multimedia Arts curated a show downstairs and here. My other daughter (Ning ning) had 16 bands. Would you believe that there were 1,200 people who attended the concert? Someone wrote on a blog, what we did was something good for art and music in Tagaytay. Manila cannot compare. One thing nice about Tagaytay is the weather.”
The bands and musicians drew a successful crowd for the first ever Tagaytay Art Beat held at Museo Orlina last September 19, 2015.
Apart from the bands TAGAYTAY ART BEAT also featured many up and coming artists from UST, UP, Ateneo and several schools. There were a lot of positive feedback from the community and creative groups that they are thinking of making it a yearly event.
Tagaytay Art Beat Exhibiting artists from left: Jessica De Leon, Ayka Go, Archie Geotina, Erica Ng, Tammy Dela Fuente and Exhibit Curator Anna Orlina. The first ever Tagaytay Art Beat was held at Museo Orlina last September 19, 2015. Contributed photo.
STARTLING DEFINITIONS (34 x 27 x 27cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
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QUATTROMONDIAL MONUMENT by Ramon Orlina-photography by Paul Quiambao, print on canvas 2011. This is one of many works in Museo Orlina.
Usie from left: Axl Guinto, Mars Callo, Ramon Orlina, ohmski & Ruth Floreska. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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From left: LUCIDITY (37 x 25 x 25cm) & ENTICING CLARITY (30 x 26 x 25) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
STARS OF HOPE by French artist Olivia d’Aboville-recycled bottles with LED lights 2014, in the Sculpture Garden of Museo Orlina. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Ramon with wife and manager Lay Ann Orlina. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Ramon Orlina calls this his giant i-pad: Museo Orlina’s interactive touchscreen display system conceptualized and designed by Anna Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
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DREAM LADY (63x40x35cm) Carved Asahi Glass 2010- Frosted & textured finish. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Ramon & wife Lay Ann with writers Frida Tan. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Orlina Chandelier with distinctive green glass. This is one of many works in Museo Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
JOURNEY INTO THE LIGHT (39 x 25 x 25cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015; right is cropped photo. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
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PIOLO’S HEAD (37 x 25 x 16 cm) Carved bronze with honey patina 2013. Piolo a UST alumnus was Ramon’s choice to personify “the student” in QUATTROMONDIAL MONUMENT. This is one of many works in Museo Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
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Ramon Orlina calls this his giant i-pad: Museo Orlina’s interactive touchscreen display system conceptualized and designed by Anna Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
The macho men of the press; CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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From left: PERSPECTIVUM (28 x 23 x 23cm) & LINEAR INSPIRATIONS (32 x 27 x 23cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
Mars Callo & Ramon Orlina. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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COMPELLING PRECISION (35 x 25 x 25cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
WAVES OF LIGHT (43 x 44 x 17cm) Carved cobalt blue crystal 2013. This is one of many works in Museo Orlina. Photo by Jude Bautista
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CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
GRACEFUL UNDULATIONS (67 x 25 x 25cm) Carved Clear optical glass 2015; left is cropped photo. CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Contributed photo.
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group shot w press & bloggers; CLEAR IMPRESSIONS: AN EXHIBIT OF RECENT CLEAR OPTICAL GLASS runs at the Reflections Gallery, Museo Orlina from November 30, 2015 to January 16, 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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