• KEITH BRANDON CARI-AN
From his eye for detail and passion for telling stories beyond the four frames of an image, Aeson Baldevia proves that indelible memories can be found in chance encounters.
In his first-ever solo artist exhibit, Aeson dedicates “Chance Encounters” to the strangers that changed his life. Be it his subjects, the viewers, and people who have brought curiosity, lessons, and meaning throughout his career as a visual photographer and visual artist.
The Silay-based Negrense image-maker was recently a part of a group residency under a collaborative project between the Orange Project and Kunskraftwek Leipzig in Germany, where the artists recreate their previously mounted exhibit “Majica”.
Fresh from the success of the 40-day residency, Baldevia recently published two photobooks, “From Point A to Point B” and “Midpoints Matter”.
The Exhibit
On July 5th, Aeson finally unveiled “Chance Encounters” to the art community of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. Mounted at Orange Project in Art District, Brgy. Mandalagan in Bacolod, the exhibit will run until August 31, with plenty of time for our readers to view Baldevia’s vulnerability and creativity.
Browsing the catalog, I noticed a sense of novel familiarity emanating from the explorative media that Baldevia’s images are displayed at. The images were meant to be seen and appreciated this way – raw, curious, emotional.
His pieces “proximity”, and “to point B”, printed on archival paper, evoked calmness and completion without seeming too on the nose.
My favorite piece was definitely “a love letter to home”. It embodies what the exhibit stands for, the fleeting but comforting presence of strangers on one’s home island.
Aeson explored photography and art in the series of images framed in backlit acetate.
His piece “Submerged” might make the viewer feel secure or suffocated. Whichever way, the image made me want to gasp for air for the subject. Meanwhile, “Co-existence” projected uncontrived warmth without being salacious.
A Must-See
Aeson was my editor for the La Salle Yearbook years past. As someone who saw his talent in proximity, his journey as an artist and image-maker inspires emerging artists of the island and country.
To those curious to step into the Orange Project, do not be intimidated by the lack of hue. “Chance Encounters” offers the audience an avenue to explore emotion, detail, and expression sans the distractions of color.
Go with your gut. Take a chance. This exhibit might be the first of those chance encounters. | Images courtesy of Aeson Baldevia, Charlie Co, The Orange Project, Reyanna Lizares, Martin Torre, Pio Ramon Sedonio, Thea Kerl Gealon, and Hernan Baldevia of Project Twenty Six Studios
