Arkipelago

Arkipelago is a non-profit organization based in New York City seeking to raise awareness for the trials and tribulations of the Philippines and Filipino Diaspora. The cultural advocacy group is known for promoting conversation regarding immigrant rights, AIDS, generational gaps, and racism.

History

Arkipelago was formed on the 10th of December, 1993. Various Filipino activists and the Youth for Philippine Action (YPA) hosted an event on Human Rights Day that paid tribute to Philippine culture. The night consisted of songs, poetry, dance, and other performances that visualized contemporary issues faced by local Filipino communities. This included the effect of toxic waste abandoned by US bases in the country on Philippine inhabitants, domestic workers, mail-order brides, and anti-immigrant legislation. The event presented a venue for Filipino and Filipino Americans to share their experiences and issues of concern. What was intended as a one-night event became an advocacy organization that continued putting up art-based events relevant to its cause. Sa Pinilakang Tabing (On the Silver Screen), Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Films), and the Salamin, are examples of past events Arkipelego went on to create. By the 2000s, Arkipelago became one of the most significant Filipino art platforms in New York City.

Programs

Sa Pinilakanf Tabing (On the Silver Screen)

"On the Silver Screen" screens films and videos installations that deals with the subject matter of conflicts and experiences as a Filipino/Filipino American. It is the only annual film festival hosted by Arkipelago on the East Coast. If the work is not about the Filipino or the Philippines, at least one or more of the production crew(art director, cinematographer, director, editor, producer or screenwriter) has to be of a Filipino descendant. The works submitted had to follow the following restrictions:

1. Works must be in VHS format for prescreening purposes.
2. Video installation artists must include 8-10 35mm slides of artwork.
3. Complete submissions should include artist's resume, biography, statement(s) and synopsis of submitted work(s).
4. Press information and film stills are preferred, but not necessary.
5. Include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of materials.

On the Silver Screen 97'

The fourth Sa Pinilakang Tabing(On the Silver Screen) was held in 1997 to celebrate the 100th year of Philippine cinema. Though the Philippine cinema is one of the country's greatest cultural assests, it rarely gets a chance of exposure and screening in the U.S. due to lack of funding and government initiative - Sa Pinilakang Tabing is a great chance. The documentary film "Private Wars" by Nick Deocampo, was screened on the Opening Night. Deocampo is a significant independent filmmaker from the Philippines. His works have gained international interests garnering critical acclaim.

Pelikualng Pilipino (Filipino Films)

A three-part function made up of a general overview of contemporary Philippine cinema, screening excerpts from a select few Filipino films, and a concluding panel review that also acted as a loose blueprint for its annual film festival.

maARTe.org

One of Arkipelago's program was the maARTe.org, the art related webzine that discussed issues brought out through artists' works or responses to them. It captured the Filipino art scene and recorded significant concerns it raised at the opening of the twenty first century. Arkipelago documents their events in the forms of banners, leaflets, etc. The collection also consists of the electronic files of the webzine.

Brainfood Sessions

Brainfood Sessions was a forum where invited artists discuss and present their works. Arkipelago's events are mostly documented through banners, flags, leaflets, and etc. One of the documentations were the 4" x 6" color photographs of Brainfood Sessions, Arkipelago’s participation in the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans’ (CAPA) Annual Asian/Pacific American Heritage Festival, and Sa Pinilakang Tabing(On the Silver Screen).

Salamin

Salamin is the forum of visual art that artists participate to share their interpretation of Filipino experience in the US and the Philippines. It is sponsored by Arkipelago to recognize the Filipino diaspora, their ethnic identity, history, and cultural heritage through visual art. The project was based on the idea that Filipino and Filipino American artists in the U.S. are relatively isolated from creative dialogues and the ethnic community. The isolation pushed people to forget the strength that comes when people who survive in the U.S. interact and share the synthesis of perspective and experiences. Salamin opened a pathway to those isolated people to share their insights in the form of visual art. The five artists who shared their insights were: Paul Pfieffer, Christine Quisumbing Ramilo, Lewanda Lim, Ayan Rivera, and Genera Banzon. It was held at on August 10th 6p.m. at the Art in General Gallery at 79 Walker Street.

Tagalog on Site

Founded by educator, activist, and writer Susan Quimpo and her spouse, George Chiu, in 1996, Tagalog On Site provides second and third generation Filipino Americans the opportunity to travel to the Philippines as a means of uncovering their heritage first-hand and learning the local dialect. Her work with Filipino-Americans arose from a Philippine history workshop conducted for Filipino high school and college students in New York, which elicited an unexpectedly large response of national pride and desire for more knowledge. By offering lectures on Philippine history, culture, politics, Tagalog on Site poses as a source of empowerment with the hopes of assisting young Filipino-Americans to reclaim their roots.