NEO ANGONO
Art shows more than just aesthetic beauty, it is an effective medium for both social and political activism as exhibited by the Neo Angono Artists’ Collective.
Members of the group formally made the turnover yesterday of an 8×32 feet tarpaulin copy of the original mural commissioned by the National Press Club (NPC) for its 50th anniversary.
The tarpaulin copy would be displayed at the UP College of Mass Communication until January 2008, after which a smaller canvas version would be permanently given to the college.
NPC attracted intrigue and condemnation from artists and media practitioners alike for tampering the original artwork, a sign of disrespect not only to the artists but to the integrity of media.
“Para silang mga berdugo ng sining (They are like slayers of art)” said Neo Angono member Wire Tuazon.
Members of NPC ordered the alteration of the artwork just two days after the delivery of the mural on October 23.
NPC members believed that certain elements of the mural were leftist and should be edited to reflect a better view of press freedom history in the country.
The artists however begged to disagree, saying that they did their part well and that if ever there is an inefficacy it is in the part of NPC.
Besides altering the artwork without due consultation with the artists, NPC members also allegedly requested the artists to create a false contract stating that the artwork was commissioned for two million pesos.
The artwork was indeed commissioned for only 700 thousand pesos and the artists were not even paid in whole by NPC as stated in their contract.
The artists retaliated by sending a copy of the journalist’s code of ethics, a reminder of the true essence of press freedom and responsibility.
A case was filed by NPC against the artists, making them personae non grata in the NPC premises.
Neo Angono member Chitoy Zapata said that the group has no plans of countercharging NPC, stressing that they would rather raise awareness about intellectual property rights and media ethics.
As of late the tampered mural no longer hangs at the NPC building, and its whereabouts is still unknown.
*I originally wrote this piece last year, December 19 for my Journalism 102 subject…just want to share a little culture to you guys…
