(L) Filipino artist Yeo Kaa, (R) “Dry and Confused 2” (Yeo Kaa, 2018), acrylic on canvas, 152 × 122 cm (Photos by Hannes Wiedemann/Arndt Art Agency)

Filipino visual artist Yeo Kaa opened her first European solo exhibition, “Anxious Lustless Pechay” with a reception organized by the Arndt Art Agency (A3) and the Philippine Embassy in Berlin on September 14, 2018.  Created as part of A3´s summer residency, the exhibit is also included in the Charlottenwalk program, wherein dozens of galleries in Berlin´s Charlottenburg district are opening their doors to the public.

The show continues Yeo Kaa´s explorations of the “monsters that torment the human psyche and plays on disruptions to bodily craving for pleasure.”  The works delve on the effects of stress and anxiety on the female sexual drive through metaphors and references to the body.

Charge d´Affaires Lillibeth V. Pono, in her remarks, commended the artist for bravely tackling issues on mental health, anxiety and sexuality through art,  “Yeo Kaa is one of those who, through her art, bring to our consciousness, the sensitive things we are uncomfortable talking about in public.  She has used her art to shed light on these realities as she explores the relationship between the human psyche and female sexuality.”

Charge d´Affaires Lillibeth V. Pono (leftmost) with (L-R) featured artist Yeo Kaa, Arndt Art Agency (A3) Founder Matthias Arndt and A3 Director Rachael Vance. (Photo by Hannes Wiedemann/Arndt Art Agency)

With over 100 guests in attendance, the event had successfully drawn the attention of the Filipino and expatriate communities, as well as local art enthusiasts. Yeo Kaa’s exhibit organized by A3 in Berlin, sustains the growing recognition for Filipino artists in Germany.

Guests from international communities, as well as local art enthusiasts. (Photos by Hannes Wiedemann/Arndt Art Agency)

Yeo Kaa is a young Filipino artist whose themes and subjects in her work contrast sharply from the pop vibe evoked by her imagery. A graduate of Advertising from the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila, she has exhibited widely in the Philippines and has participated in international residencies, in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and Haukijarvi, Finland. She is particularly interested in dark themes such as depression, suicide, and anxiety, among others, both drawn from personal experiences as well as general observations of human tendencies.

“Anxious Lustless Pechay”, curated by Ruel Caasi in collaboration with The Working Animals Art Projects, is open to the public at Arndt Art Agency (Fasanenstraße 28, 10719 Berlin) until October 5, 2018. For more information, visit www.arndtartagency.com.  END

Top: The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors with Mr. Edgardo Lumbera Manguiat, Founder and Conductor. Bottom: The Kudyapi Children´s Choir with Mr. Arnel German, Conductor.

Two Philippine choirs won accolades in the First Sing Berlin International Choir Festival and Competition held in Berlin, Germany from July 4 to 7.  The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA) under the baton of its founder and conductor, Mr. Edgardo Lumbero Manguiat and Barcelona-based Filipino children´s choir, Kudyapi led by Musical Director Arnel Lamorena German won over choirs from Germany, Sweden, and the United States.

Both choirs represented the Philippine choral art scene well as they performed international, popular, sacred, and folk music during the competition.

The Kudyapi Children´s Choir earned the Silver Diploma in category G1 (Children´s Choir) with their carefully selected repertoire of classical and folk music.

Top: University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors´ (UPSA) Founder and Conductor Edgardo Manguiat and UPSA president Christine Angelica Evangelista receive the Grand Prix award as Charge d´Affaires Lillibeth V. Pono looks on. Bottom: CDA Pono joins Kudyapi Children´s Choir´s Conductor Arnel German and some members onstage as the group was awarded the Silver Diploma.

UPSA was awarded the Gold Diplomas in Category M (Modern, Jazz, Pop, Gospel) and Category A1 (Mixed Choirs) which earned them a spot to compete and ultimately win in the Grand Prix round.

Sing Berlin, a biennial event, was organized by Meeting Music in collaboration with the Georg-Friedrich-Händel Gymnasium and the International Choral Festival Network, supported by the Chorverband Berlin. END