the art of Kuris

Brian with his dog…sweet friendship!

Brian’s popularity formed “TeamBrian”, a union of his devoted fans and readers all across the globe (talking about blog icon, he's

the one right now).

Art

Brian Gorrell spilled his heart in his every post. And when he featured us, Kuris Animators and our project The BEQUEST in his blog—he instantly talks about the value of art for the struggling Filipinos in the midst of poverty, economic turmoil and political corruption. He pinpoints the unrecognized talents and gifts of Filipino artists particularly the local animators that exuded passion and confidence for their chosen craft.

So I won’t discuss further about anything else, let his blog post speaks about how important art could inspire Filipinos to come out of the present social dilemma and why his beautiful insights helped us gained more confidence to dream for more. And yes, we also included some sensible comments from his avid readers…

Dear Readers,

I love story telling animation so when I found this fantastic Pinoy project in the works, I got really revved up . I reckon the creators of this movie are trail blazers in the Filipino animation community. Their funding is virtually non existent, so it's an obvious labor of love. The Philippines arts community is amazing considering there is little or no money around for artistic frivolity which usually drives any significant movement, large or small. Although fashion is indeed art, it's not the only kind in Manila. People seem to be obsessed with fashion. Just one pair of P100,000 shoes should and could fund an entire short film for a struggling animator/dreamer/devote/genius? You never know. Without proper consistent funding for the arts, it's the masses who are most effected over time. Not the idiots with Picasso on their walls..... Celine. The rich simply do not understand and do not care enough about artists. They only care about the value and prestige of the end result. Telling history is important. Telling it through the arts is crucial. Buying art for the right reason is not hard. You only have to put your heart before your pocketbook. Art is perfect energy so it's a great trade off. Win win for everyone. And artists need more win/win and less win/lose. Love equals energy. Art equals love. Please support the arts if you can. There are so many ways to help the wonderful artistic sub culture move forward faster in the Philippines without spending money. But those who can should. Because the art of ones nation is what underpins its spirit and relevancy in the bigger world. And the poor Philippines is already struggling for that. And by support, I do NOT mean spending eight million pesos to have a Deeta Von Teese perform at your over the top party... Vicky. By simply acknowledging an artist and considering their effort is enough for many. Commenting is the next step. And the learning comes naturally from the exchange. Just take the time to look at some art. All forms of art including theater and dance. And always remember that behind every creation, there is a Filipino, trying to do good with the gifts that God gave them.

Thank you very much B.

By the way, I belong to a group of amateur animators from Iloilo City, Philippines. We made the first animated short film in our city which is about the origin of Dinagyang festival entitled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”...it tells how Dinagyang festival started and validated by Philippine history...that includes a fusion of 3 historical events in the Philippines-- the Barter of Panay (10 bornean datus who came to Panay island in 13th century), the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan/Spaniards in 1521 and the gifting of Sto. Nino image to the San Jose church in Iloilo in 1968...these gave birth to Dinagynag festival, the most famous festival in this country. We hope to gain more attention someday with our dream to revolutionize animation in the Philippines. Our group name is "Kuris Animation Unlimited". Kuris means "scribbled line” or a line drawn by a pencil, it’s an Ilonggo word. You can check our blog at

www.kurisanimation.blogspot.com

comments:

Comment by isstan on August 20, 2008 11:51 PM

thanks for this post. it's true there are so many struggling artists here. geniuses who are not given a break because they don't have the money or the right name...sponsors flocking towards those people you're speaking against when they can very much fund themselves....there's more hope for this country if truly inspired artists get more support for they contribute "big time" in defining a nation's identity...the Philippines has been shaped by the wrong people for too long..please keep on making a call regarding this subject..thanks so much brian!

Comment by BERT on August 21, 2008 12:52 AM

art is nice and good, but then how could one think about art when you are starving? that is the sad reality of the philippines - POVERTY

i read that there is a ninoy foundation, and they want to push for a "i am ninoy" logo, to espouse nationality. but the truth is, there are more HANCOCKS and you see them in the airport by the thousands daily.

Hancock - yes, I am referring to the Will Smith Hero movie. Hancock was afflicted with amnesia, he has superpowers, and in the end he has one big dilemma - he can choose to be with someone and be human, or leave, be far away and both of them live. These is basically the same dilemma faced by most Filipinos. You stay in the Philippines, together with your love ones, but the chances of survival, the decent living, the basic necessities are so difficult. Filipinos are highly skilled, they have special abilities like Hancock. So, most Filipinos choose to leave the country, be away from his family, be lonely with the consolation that the one he left behind has a happier life. Hancock chose that life, so the one he loves would live, be happy.

Ninoy chose to return to the Philippines, he risk his life, and ended up giving his life. He is a hero, but still - it hurts losing someone. I read that Cory joked to Erap and another political leader, that although they were imprisoned by the powers that be - both are still alive. Ninoy is dead.

ooops... is my head wandering? sorry for bubbling... i guess its the loneliness and solitude being half way away from my family. sure, I can go home and we would all be lining up for rice, stressing where to get our next meal. I chose to be away so we all could live decently .... funny thing, hancocks or overseas filipinos are also considered heroes ...

Comment by Brian on August 21, 2008 11:14 AM

I know its a hard one. Poverty vs Art.
What about creating art that clearly shows the hard issues that the country deals with daily. I won't list them all here because it would take too long. I know of a dance production which has dealt with this beautifully.
The people who attend these productions are the exact people who need to be reminded. And if we can capture their attention for long enough with a ballet, dance, opera or art exhibition... it's a start. Because they're currently attending LAVISH birthday parties for each other with NO charity attached to the events.
Just a bunch of greedy pigs who care not for their fellow man in the street.
Or the gutter for that matter.
YES, all that money going towards the launch of a 230 dollar hair conditioner could be spent on human beings who have no food. But it's not.
I want to scream when I see the greed and consumption by some.
But we must never forget about art though.
It's not nearly as important as poverty, but there is a place for it in the Philippines.
A nations sense of pride is directly linked to it's history.
And art becomes history. So art that tells a story is good.

Art was created on caves thousands of years ago. We examine it now for clues to the past.
What art will Filipinos be looking at in five hundred years.What will we have on display?
Still dresses and shoes? Imelds'a perhaps. od only knows SHE will still be alive in 500 years. UHG!

Comment by isstan on August 21, 2008 11:46 AM

we filipinos have "breathed, touched, smelled, seen, heard.." poverty for too long. We have to look beyond it and realize there's a great amount of wealth, of passion and talent, deeply hidden in so many of us...if cultivated, encouraged and realized might just bring us all out from our miseries...