In Situ, Performance as Exhibition: A Cultural Collaboration Set to Transform the Philippine Art Scene

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From October 15 to 26, 2024, the Philippines will host a groundbreaking cultural experience like no other. Titled "In Situ, Performance as Exhibition: The Philippine Edition," this remarkable event brings together both Danish and Filipino artists in a transformative series of performances that transcend traditional exhibition formats. Curated by renowned international Filipina curator Vanini Belarmino and organized by Belarmino&Partners in collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, this cultural exchange is poised to make waves across Metro Manila, Los Baños, and La Union.

Reimagining Art in Public Spaces

At the core of "In Situ" is the reimagining of art in the most dynamic of public spaces, from urban streets to rural landscapes. The body itself becomes the medium, where the presence of both the artist and the audience is paramount. Through performance, these outdoor locations transform into living canvases, allowing artists to connect with local communities in the most intimate of ways.

Danish visual and performance artists Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen, Molly Haslund, Sophie Dupont, Filip Vest, and choreographer Kai Merke will team up with some of the Philippines' most distinguished creatives, including Christine Crame, Ea Torrado, and the Daloy Dance Company. These collaborations, or as Belarmino refers to them, "artistic blind dates," promise an exploration of cross-disciplinary expression that is both experimental and deeply rooted in the environments where they will take place.

Sites of Performance: Manila, Los Baños, and La Union

The performances will unfold in locations that provide a unique backdrop for artistic expression:

  • Mount Makiling in Los Baños
  • The beaches of La Union
  • The bustling streets of Roxas Boulevard and the CCP Complex in Manila
  • Historic spots like Intramuros and the iconic Cultural Center of the Philippines and Manila Metropolitan Theater

These natural and urban environments become not just settings, but active participants in the exhibition. In each of these locations, audiences will have the opportunity to experience performance art in a deeply personal, yet public, way.

The Evolution of "In Situ"

This Philippine edition is part of a series of site-specific performances that began in Southeast Asia. Following years of research and artist collaborations conducted in Denmark (2021-2024), this edition builds on the success of past iterations, including a recent version in Singapore. With each location, the performances are tailored to the unique characteristics of their surroundings, blending art with the local landscape and culture.

Belarmino reflects on the collaboration: “It is about bringing collective bodies to be placed or situated within the backdrop of a mountain, beachside, and the urban jungle... moments of performance, its process, and the engagement of the audience are the actual composition for the exhibition.”

An Invitation to Engage

One of the exhibition’s most exciting features is its emphasis on direct engagement. The public won’t just watch—they’ll be part of the performance. Whether it's watching living, mobile mirrors walk down Roxas Boulevard or witnessing an artist mark their breath on a mountain for 12 hours, the performances invite the audience into an evolving dialogue between space, body, and art.

For Filipino audiences, this is a rare chance to witness a fusion of international and local talent in unconventional settings, and to be part of a conversation that reimagines the role of art in public life.

The Details

  • Dates: October 15-26, 2024
  • Locations: Metro Manila, Los Baños, and La Union
  • Organizers: Belarmino&Partners in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines
  • Supported by: New Carlsberg Foundation and Danish Arts Foundation

Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious, "In Situ, Performance as Exhibition" offers a chance to step into a world where art, performance, and the everyday blur together in the most imaginative ways.

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