National Artist Arturo Luz proves his art is for all in "Improvisations," the new exhibit under the annual Rustan's for the Arts. Seeing the arts as a shaper of national identity, Rustan's for the Arts offers a platform for local artists to showcase their works, be it in the visual, music, dance, or theater arts. Rustan's for the Arts first featured Luz in 2019, then together with his granddaughter who is also a visual artist, Paulina Sotto. This year's exhibit focuses on Luz, a key figure in Filipino neo-realism. Honored as a National Artist for the Visual Arts in 1997, Luz was a painter, sculptor, photographer, printmaker, designer, and one of the most influential voices in the neo-realist movement in the local art scene. His 60-year career also included museum directing (Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Museum of Philippine Art), art directing (Design Center of the Philippines), and founding a museum (The Luz Gallery, known for featuring works of acclaimed local modernist artists like Joya, Sanso, Bencab, and himself). Educated in Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas and art schools in France and the United States, Luz made his mark for his brand of neo-realism that used minimalist aesthetics, simple geometric shapes, monochromatic hues, and interplays of lines, shapes, and textures to depict the realities of Filipino life. His art also offers a screenshot of the zeitgeist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a cultural, intellectual, and artistic desire to deviate from realist and classical conventions. This spirit is palpable in Luz's notable works, such as "The Cyclist" series, which features abstracted representations of cyclists in motion; "Carnival Forms," which features geometric depictions of performers and scenes of celebration; and the "Anito" series, minimalist sculptures representing traditional Filipino ancestral figures. Throughout his career, Luz's works have been celebrated locally and abroad. They have been exhibited in prestigious events, like the Philippine Cultural Exhibition in New York in 1953, Arte de America y Espana in 1963, the 11th Sao Paolo Biennial in 1971, the Tokyo International Print Biennial in 1974, the 8th British International Print in 1984, among others. Today, Luz's works are among the most sought-after by art collectors. He is also considered a driving force in helping forge a distinct Filipino modern art; his influence is visible in many local art institutions. "Improvisations by Arturo Luz" illustrates this perfectly. In one his conversations with his daughter Luisa Luz Lansigan, he said that his art is for all. It is on this note that the Luz family is sharing his legacy through Rustan's for the Arts, which showcases his iconic designs and sculptures using different materials and objects. Available in chairs, tables, sculptures and more, the items are up for sale with limited quantities per piece. "We really wanted to come up with items of different sizes and prices so that everybody can take home a piece of Arturo Luz," Lansigan said in an interview during the Improvisations launch in Rustan's Makati. As for the exhibit's title, Lansigan said it pays homage to one of the favorite titles her dad uses for his exhibits. "It's very timely also because we're improvising with different materials and objects. He was also director of Design Center of the Philippines for many years so I'm sure he's very proud that we are using indigenous materials to make the art he has designed. I'm sure he's smiling up there," she furthered. "Improvisations by Arturo Luz" will be on the fourth floor of Rustan's Makati. For more information, visit www.rustans.com.
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