The Chronicles

NAW: Converging Architecture and Visual Art

Written by: Angelica Perez
Photos by: Angelica Perez, Egbert Nielsean Chua, Klaradelle Sol Villamayor and Anna Estrada 

  The University of Santo Tomas boasts of generating the finest breed of architects in the country, or even across the seas. But through the years, the population of our line will continue to enlarge. And then we will ask ourselves, what will be our edge that could distinguish us in the architecture industry?

While good architecture satisfies function, comfort and aesthetics, the first and utmost step will always be impressing clients (or professors for the moment). And let us face it, our eyes are easily glued by something visually appealing. It is to this that in line with the 2011 National Architecture week, our college will be recognizing the importance of architectural presentation, be it manual or done in computer aided drafting.

Opening ceremony

December 5, 2011- Monday morning, the celebration was inaugurated at the Beato Angelico lobby by the college dean, Arch. John Joseph Fernandez. Joining him in the ribbon cutting were UAP Architects, Arch. Michael T. Ang, Arch. Florencio Sebastian III, Arch. Marlo Basco and Arch. Gerard Lico. 

For the week-long celebration, the lobby will exhibit some of the greatest works done by a few notable personalities who all share the same passion in manual or CAD rendering. Seminars are also scheduled to further enrich the students’ knowledge with their craft.

Of course, food and refreshments are not to be missed out as they were stalled for the faculties and students.

MARKER/ YOKEN

“Never be a servant of the pen… Be the master of it”. This holds true as Arch. De Guzman uses the markers with such confidence and authority that soon, he had produced a piece that would entice just about anyone who looks. First among the guest speakers was Arch. Armando Eugene C. De Guzman III, alumni to or college and currently the National treasurer of the United Architects of the Philippines. He is never without a sign pen, scale and his markers- which we saw are compressed neatly in his file case.

Marker or Yoken is just one of the basic art medium, yet most students dread its use. But it is a tool that some architects resort into when they need to present to their clients on the spot. Arch. De Guzman pointed out how markers, upon its mastery, could save up so much time and even the dilemma that is sometimes brought up by CAD. True enough, he showed a video of himself creating a fine perspective in just a few minutes- something that even Google Sketchup will not allow you.

PENCIL 

It may come as a surprise to some that the second guest speaker was just a third year architecture student. But to those who knew Mr. Justin Owen Francisco, it was otherwise.  His name might in fact be familiar to some, with his works constantly exhibited in galleries. A graduate of the Philippine High School of the Fine Arts, Mr. Francisco has entered the college exemplifying a unique talent and skill in visual arts, even comparable to that of a skilled professional.

His seminar on pencil rendering was pointed on contrast, proportion and stroke. He demonstrated how a simple detail could come into life with the proper shading, stoke and balance. Within minutes, Mr. Francisco produced a one-storey residential, unraveling to students the easy and efficient way to draw details up to its overall appearance.

WATER COLOR

Contrary to the edgy markers and monochromatic drawing is one of the hard to use medium- water coloring. But Arch. Eric Asinas seems to play literally with his pen and brush as he strokes them carelessly, still producing a masterpiece in minutes.

His love towards water coloring dated back from his formative years, allowing him to win competitions. He shared how this talent had enticed some clients of his after doing a jiffy water color presentation before them.

            Arch. Asinas’ works are incredibly detailed and finely realistic, where in most cases he had used mixed medium for better visual dynamics. He introduced simple techniques that could greatly differentiate your work. Looking like the family guy that he is, mixed in his piles of architectural perspectives are some portraits of his son and grandson.

He claims that “real art rests in the artistic hands of a few so-called architectural renderers”. Indeed, Arch. Asinas proves to be one of those so-called.