Exodus 2.0: An exhibition and film screenings of Elvert de la Cruz Bañares
His experimental and unorthodox styles are evident in his works
Museo Iloilo is presently hosting Exodus 2.0, an exhibition and film screenings of Elvert de la Cruz Bañares, an Ilonggo.
Exodus 2.0 is a view of Bañares' life. "This is very personal; the exhibit is like a semi-autobiography because it shows my move from the corporate world to the art world. This is my complete exodus," he said. He chose biblical chapters from Exodus to explain each artwork. Each piece models the same persons who are in his films. Bañares is quite fulfilled with this venture, which had been traveling for quite sometime.
Elvert de la Cruz Bañares
This is his second exhibit in Museo Iloilo after 11 years. It was in Museo Iloilo that he was given a break as a recognized Ilonggo artist before he got based in Manila. A self-taught artist who has gained acclaim at a young age, his mixed media works and video installations have been exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, NCCA Galleries, Boston Gallery, Kaida Art Gallery and the Gallery Banijha in Daejeon, South Korea as part of Daejeon Fast 2005.
He is an underground filmmaker working outside the mainstream and indie industries. Elvert's films had been screened in international film festivals in the United States, Australia, China, Singapore, Japan and Canada. He has directed music videos for indi electronica acts. His experimental and unorthodox styles in his works have earned him the Gold Medal for Excellence in Scriptwriting for Radio, TV and Film by the Media Arts Foundation, Inc; the second prize for 1987 Annual Art Associaiton of the Philippines (AA); and three Gawad CCP for independent film and video.
A reclusive artist, he avoid social functions and enjoys the company of his family and close friends. His blogsite The Exterminator Syndicate, has been nominated for the 1st Philippine Blog Awards in 2006. (With reports from Kathy M. Villalon)