IKEA: This Is How We Live Photo Exhibit and US and OUR PLANET Book Launch

Saw vloggers Mike and Nelly at the IKEA event

 

 

 

 

 

             

I visited the largest IKEA store in the world at the Mall of Asia grounds a few days ago, and I'm glad I was able to spend a few hours scouring for stuff that I would need in my home. Aside from that, I was there for a very important reason... it was the day where they were opening up a section of their establishment that they would dedicate for the Filipino family. See, IKEA held a photo contest a few months ago (This is How We Live Photo Contest), and the winners stand a chance to win IKEA furniture, plus a studio shoot. They also got to have their entries displayed in different IKEA collateral throughout the year . Needless to say, it was very interesting to see them all in the flesh! Their stories are all inspiring and during the pandemic, it has made them think about what matters most, which is family, friends, and the place they call home. 

Winners of the photo contest, which you'll see in the IKEA exhibit

Here's our video coverage of the event and a little tour of IKEA in the Philippines

 

US and OUR PLANET is a book by Phaidon which they worked with IKEA. It tells the story of different people who live in sustainable homes, in hopes to inspire you and families that it can be done. You may visit the "This Is How We Live" photo exhibit at the Ground Level of IKEA very near the Marina entrance (front left entrance). Admission is free so go visit the biggest IKEA in the world today!

Oh and before I forget, the rumors are true... those IKEA Meatballs are delish! Don't leave the store without ordering it!

Rodolfo Gan Does “Prism II” Solo Exhibit

I am familiar with the style because I used to experiment with architectural shapes and elements when I made art in High School and College. I didn't really do well and concentrated on pressing keys for work but have always become fascinated with this medium for a long time, but here's a bit of good news for people who live and breathe this style. You are in for a treat because the world-renowned Rodolfo Gan has just started doing his second solo art exhibition called Prism 2 at the Upstairs Gallery of Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound, Makati City.

It is a collection of 11 paintings that is done in cubism and geometrism. Known for his Airbrush method, his square abstract paintings show mostly these geometric lines and forms. He quirps "I am inspired by masters like Fernando Zobel (saw one in Seda Hotel), Lee Aguinaldo, and Roberto Chabet who is considered the father of conceptual art in the country." He graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, major in Advertising. Oftenly, they use bold colors but Gan’s works are unique as he stays in earth tones. Chabet encouraged and inspired Gan to be an artist. In the 70's, Gan won local and national art competitions and got his work exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where he had his first solo exhibit via the Luz Gallery in 72. He was dubbed as one of the CCP's Thirteen Artists and took part in exhibitions here and abroad, including the 7th Paris Biennale and the ASEAN collection exhibitions in Israel, Jakarta and Hong Kong. The family’s printing business though still was the priority for Gan. After a long hiatus, he came back with Prism in 2014.

He adds "My paintings have always been made to challenge the person looking at it, to look at them the way he or she chooses to.” So make sure you do visit his exhibit until February 11, 2019 at the Upstairs Gallery of Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound in Makati City.

Relentless, Forward, Progress Exhibit by Xander Angeles Shot With Samsung NX500

I forget things so this was in my drafts for a few days and just got published today. But that's no reason to not tell you about the event that happened in SM Aura Premier when we went there for "Relentless, Forward, Progress" the exhibit put up by my Sensei Xander Angeles. He's one of the masters in fashion photography and yes, I have attended his workshops a long time, long story. Anyway, this man from New York when I met him was a little big (like me on some edges). He's changed a lot and I think it's that journey that inspired him to do this exhibit and use the one and only Samsung NX500.

My Sensei has been in the industry for years, and with the things he's done, he was still able to do something for himself, change his lifestyle and make a better version of himself. He's continued to inspire tons of photographers, including me and he's never stopped doing that til now. He's also an entrepreneur and goes the mile to provide healthy comfort food in Runner's Kitchen. Now, he's changed gears to prove that the Samsung NX500 is worthy of his work too, even bearing more as his subjects seem to have gone the same athletic lineage he's living. With names like Glaiza De Castro, Solenn Heussaff, Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Pia Cayetano and a ton of other triathletes in the mix, it proves that never giving up on a goal would really be something that would be good immortalized on photos. You can see their passion, their relentless pursuit of improving themselves, their industry and their community. A meaningful cause that would inspire countless more generations of Filipinos to come.

As we mentioned, these are all shot using the Samsung NX500 which I was able to also explore that evening. It was good in videos, I also saw some good photos, I couldn't tell if it's super good or not because of the length of time we had been able to use it but I think my camera's better ha (if it weren't 28.2MP)! Although, for something that small, I think the whole form factor, and the ability of it to be at par with the work that masters actually do, I think the Samsung NX500 is worth it. I hope I can get to use one for a longer time because I might change my mind. The technology that it presents though is superb. You can set it to automatically shoot when an object specifically passes a mark which would be good for sports or high shutter needs. I have my reservations for low light photos, but the video quality that time looks very promising. At 28.2 MP, it's a monster in that mirror-less compact camera department.

At around Php 40,000 this would be a steal compared to those from other brands that cost around 60+ with these specs. It's worthy to buy, but really, a camera is still a camera and remember, it's not the pana, it's the indian!

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