Ayala Museum’s exhibition Splendor: Juan Luna, Painter as Hero, designed by scenographer Gino Gonzales, examines this single work of art around three themes: the world of 1889; Juan Luna, the painter, as hero; and the complex imagery in the painting inspired by a Roman wedding feast.
It is uncommon to have an exhibition solely about an individual work of art. But a long-lost cultural treasure like Hymen, oh Hyménée! clearly has stories to tell about a time and place not our own.
A substantive and handsome catalog with essays by historian Ambeth R. Ocampo, Ph.D., film director Martin Arnaldo and curators Ditas Samson, Tenten Mina, and Jei Ente captures this watershed moment in the artist’s life and, by implication, our nation’s history.
A documentary film by Martin Arnaldo traces the recovery of the artwork while at the same time captures the dilemma of the late 19th century Filipino diaspora for Juan Luna, which arguably is still true for his countrymen living and working abroad today. This film is showcased in the Samsung The Premiere Room that features an immersive 130" screen and a soundbar that completes the theater experience within the exhibition space. The film will also be aired on CNN Philippines on July 8.
A video tour of Hymen, oh Hyménée!’s complex imagery, narrated by Ocampo, will also be available for viewing on Ayala Museum’s website.
The exhibition is co-presented by Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Inc., and Insular Life (InLife) with major support by BPI and SMEG. Samsung is the official audio-visual partner. Splendor runs until December 31, 2023.
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