Turning public art into technology-infused SM-art
The great idea behind public art is that it’s accessible, easily viewed by people from all walks of life as it blends into the urban landscape. It runs counter to the notion of art being elitist, reserved for the few, or even accessible only by entering a dedicated building like a museum. The real antithesis of public art is when it’s cloistered and kept in a private home. SM Supermalls and the Sy family are one of the champions of pushing public art to the foreground via installations in their malls and public buildings.
What’s inspiring is how SM has tapped Filipino artists, or Fil-American success stories in the global art arena, to push this initiative forward. Just recently, they unveiled the “Time Sculpture” of Jefré at SM Megamall. I was also happy to be given the opportunity to interview Derek Tumala, the multidisciplinary artist behind the work “Kayamanan ng Pilipinas,” that you’ll find on the giant LED screen mounted on the wall of the Mega Tower lobby area.
At first glance, the screen looks like it’s a static image depicting Philippine flora. But by fusing art and technology, we discover that the customized LED screen “breathes” and comes “alive.” This is especially evident as the images are programmed to be sensitive to the weather outside. So when it’s raining, it will also be reflected on the image projected, which will depict plants and vegetation being pelted by rain. Same goes, of course, when bathed in sunshine or when overcast.
It took a little over a year for Derek to complete this commissioned work, as the renderings themselves took an inordinate amount of time. Then there was the online data that had to be programmed. In fact, it’s still a work in progress, as there’s an interactive element that’s still being installed and perfected. I had the chance to see the work when SM Supermalls launched the Mega Tower, and it’s truly an impressive display of art and technology working together to create something unique, accessible, and noteworthy.
Derek commented about how the piece reflects his preoccupation with our natural resources, which are among our true treasures, and with climate change. He hopes it engages the public and makes them think of these things, transcending the visual stimuli that the work can evoke.
A Fine Arts graduate who first went the traditional route of paintings on canvas and sculptures, Derek has since evolved and his artistic vision now covers videos and multimedia executions. He loves this sharing of values through public art in a medium that allows the viewer to first just enjoy the work as pure visual appreciation, and then absorb the technical aspects and wonder how the overall effect was achieved.
For Derek, the role of the artist today is to communicate and bring new ideas forward. The artist is a vessel for change and the more people can view the art, the more chances there are for that purpose to come to fruition. And thank you, SM Supermalls, for providing these artists a platform to have their works seen by so many.