From "Existence"
By The GedAze Project (Ged Merino and Aze Ong)
"Existence" was installed at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum & Filipiniana Research Center, located at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, in 2018
Made with scrap leather, yarns, fabricated and found objects
This virtual installation was created for HATAK
About the project:
The GedAze Project, traversing a lineage of contemporary artists pushing the boundaries of textile. Together, both artists have a common thread – from materials and process, to their interest in engaging viewers to interact with the work – the tactility, both a reflection and reminder of familiar objects, and the stories bound within.
Based in New York, Ged Merino collects objects, either discarded incidentally or intentionally. Living in NYC nearly half of his lifetime, Ged Merino’s current practice has its origins in textiles. At an early age he was attracted to fabrics. When he was young he watched his mother recycle old fabrics and use various techniques to give the old fabrics new life. It was a way of life for her. The era of repair and repurposing. Living in NYC nearly half of his lifetime, a realization came to him after spending several years in Manila working on projects, the contrast of poverty versus waste. Haunted by possession and disposal, discarded materials eventually became his focus. A way of collecting artifacts from people’s lives, and repurposing textiles and various materials into his artistic process. As if archiving sentimentality. A transposition of experiences made possible by migration and settlement.
Ged Merino runs Bliss on Bliss Art Projects in New York.
Manila-based artist, Aze Ong is a visual and performance artist working with fiber as medium. Integral to her creative process is intuition and spontaneity – rooted in her discoveries having lived with the Talaandig tribe. Crochet, knitting, knotting, embroidery, macramé, and sewing – these are just some of the techniques she use to create immersive installations, both tactile and interactive. Ong’s art, performative and functional aims to challenge previously gender-bound limitations and create.. This leads to an intended ambiguity regarding meanings and themes that encourages debate and individual appreciation. The conscious effect leads to association to relevant issues from self-healing, the environment, science, politics, cultural appropriation and feminism. Aze Ong is an Asian Cultural Council grantee.
Website
Social Media: @gedmerino @azeongliwanag @gedmerinoprojects @blissonbliss