Struggles Behind Glass Walls

Underneath the Glam of Museums and Galleries Month

By Hyacinth Aranda

Like an hourglass turned upside down, with sand rushing through its neck, October has arrived, bursting with hues and a flamboyant ambiance. Three months before the year’s end, everyone is looking forward to the holiday season, beseeching time to pass.

However, October stands its ground, offering a magnificent celebration for art enthusiasts across the country — the Museums and Galleries Month (MGM). On the other side of this celebration lies a long history of struggle against colonialists, the fight for genuine freedom of expression, and a story of what exists beyond the gleaming glass in galleries and museums. The celebration is not just about honoring the nobility of the settings that house prestigious art and artists, but also about highlighting their significant contribution to the country’s national identity.

Museums and Galleries Month is celebrated every October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation №798, s. 1991, with the objective of emphasizing the importance of igniting national consciousness and honoring Filipino culture. Rooted in the country’s artistic expression, it embodies the nation’s aspirations through various art forms, along with historical and religious artifacts. Hence, in response to the rapid changes in cultural development, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) launched this year’s celebration with the theme “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovation,” aiming to highlight the balance between preserving the past and shaping the future in the contemporary era.

But this month is not only meant to commemorate the history preserved in museums; it is also a stark reminder that artworks will always remain relevant to the nation’s current political and socio-economic issues. An illustration of this is the National Museum of Fine Arts, which houses the artwork of national artist Botong Francisco, “Filipino Struggles Through History”, which was declared a National Cultural Treasure. The blood and tears of those who took part in resisting oppression and dictatorship will forever be marked by every stroke of these artworks. Any attempt to revise history or repeat the same brutality is trumped by the cries of these pieces carrying the spirit of the masses.

A museum that sits close to home and houses the intellectual contributions of the academe is the University of the Philippines Manila-Museum of the History of Ideas (UPM-MHI). The UPM-MHI is the first museum established on the campus in 1931 to honor the university’s pivotal role in the emergent nation. The museum’s concept centers on the exploration of a nation’s identity and its development as an established country, particularly the struggle of the citizens to break free from the shackles of colonialism and achieve sovereignty. However, the museum was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently making efforts to recover.

Vince de Dios, a BA Philippine Arts alumnus and the current documentation and marketing officer of MHI, shared that since the pandemic, the museum has remained closed to the public. Facilities are currently a work in progress, with faulty air conditioning units and broken tiles being the biggest issues.

“The UP administration is undertaking concrete steps to solve the aforementioned problems. At the moment, new air conditioning units are being installed, while the new tiles are still undergoing paperwork. As with any government office, financial, logistic, and bureaucratic processes prolong the museum’s indefinite closure,” de Dios said.

The UP administration plays a crucial role in the museum’s rehabilitation, especially as it continues to adjust to the drastic changes post-pandemic. While still working on the necessary physical updates, communication with those interested in learning about the museum’s art and content and organization of events that involve student participation is ongoing. In adapting to technological advancements, it has made its collections viewable and accessible online. Given the slow progress, the administration must rise to the challenge of accelerating their efforts, as the museum is not only awaiting use for educational purposes but also faces growing pressure to incorporate the increasing number of academic contributions.

While the UP administration is taking action gradually, a museum’s full potential can only be maximized with the participation of museum-goers, which, in this case, are the students. Students may contribute by supporting MHI’s various fairs throughout the year, which would greatly benefit artists and small businesses. Heritage tours and off-site programs are also offered to promote the museum.

MHI also recently announced its call for student volunteers regardless of experience. This initiative aims to provide students with a chance to learn and gain firsthand experience in the fields of art management and cultural heritage.

Moreover, while museums are often regarded as houses of artistic expression and historical significance, galleries are celebrated for showcasing artists who have pursued their craft despite discouragement in the art market. In a country where the field is often undervalued, the continuous growth and recognition of galleries challenge these critiques. However, intellectual discussions have emerged regarding the diminished quality of art to cater to the capitalist side of the market. Questions have surfaced about artworks losing their social relevance and being reduced to mere commodities, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence.

de Dios noted that supporting emerging artists, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented sectors, and allowing their artworks to spark meaningful conversations among audiences is crucial for educational and cultural engagement in democratizing art.

While MGM celebration is a fitting way to commemorate the significance of art and its manifestations, this medium would not be possible without the people whose lives are tied to their passion, despite the prejudices that artists continue to face in the new era. Beyond recognition, the government and the UPM administration must take an active role in supporting emerging artists of the new generation and providing them with the necessary tools to enrich their capabilities. The students and young talents who pursue their passion, despite being warned about the impracticality of their choice, are those who will continue to preserve a field that is a crucial part of our national identity. Allocating budgets, raising awareness, and promoting art education by providing generous scholarships will help make this happen.

Museums and galleries are home to numerous artworks that have tied artistic expression to social relevance over the centuries. These works have witnessed the rise of Philippine democracy and the downfall of tyranny. Today, they continue to bear witness to the ongoing struggle against the overuse of technology in the contemporary era and the fine line between artistic value and capitalism. However, as long as there are those willing to paint the world with color and express themselves with a passion for serving the people, no tyrant can ever hold captive the hearts and arts of the people.

In celebrating MGM, it is important to look beyond the majestic surface of artistic pieces and understand their meaning and timeless beauty. As they continue their pivotal role — just as everyone lives to be remembered — there must be sufficient and reliable support from the administration and public involvement to fulfill their duty as the anchor of artistic identity. After all, October may pass by like any other month, and it may no longer be a time for museums and galleries, but artworks live forever. Unlike time, which seems to race through the sands of life, art and its messages are everlasting.