Because art isn't easy

When outlining a program, whether it's for an awarding ceremony, an exhibit opening, a convention, or the opening gala of a festival, the first thing that I determine is the story it must tell - and everything else follows, flows from there.

When I was putting together the script for the opening ceremony of Ibagiw: The Baguio Creative Festival 2019, there was one song that I really hoped the emcees, who were all musical theater performers, could sing: Stephen Sondheim's "Putting It Together."  

Bit by bit, putting it together
Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art
Every moment makes a contribution
Every little detail plays a part
Having just a vision's no solution
Everything depends on execution
Putting it together (That's what counts)

In the case of Ibagiw, the portrait I wanted to paint was that of the creative community of Baguio - the diversity, the abundance of artistic talent in the city, the dynamism and the level of artistry that is reached if artists and artisans are given the proper environment in which they could create. 

Ounce by ounce, putting it together

Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art
First of all you need a good foundation
Otherwise it's risky from the start
Takes a lot of earnest conversation
But without the proper preparation
Having just a vision's no solution
Everything depends on execution
The art of making art, is putting it together
Bit by bit

Once the story, or idea/concept or message that must be conveyed has been determined, I go on to work on the setting. The site of the festival - the Old Diplomat Hotel, heretofore more popularly known as a haunted place frequented by tourists hoping for encounters  of the ghostly kind or a perfect backdrop for their Instagram and Facebook posts, provided endless possibilities for this. The opening ceremony shouldn't just take place on a single stage - the audience must be taken on a roller coaster ride consistent with the idea of showcasing the diversity and dynamism of the local art and culture scene. 

Note by note, working on projection
Lips, teeth, throat, looking for a moment to inhale
Keeping the emotional connection
Even when your fellow actors fail
Pointing at the subtext by inflection
Helping your director reach perfection
Even though you have a strong objection
To the way he's handling the direction

Then the plot - there would be a main stage, then we take everyone inside where, at intervals, magic happens in various spaces... choosing Sa Saliw ng mga Gangsa as the theme song was no accident, it was deliberate. There lies the essence of the Ibagiw as an artist - their ideas, concepts, the stories they tell in whatever form, are all deeply rooted to Baguio - the place, the environment, its spirit, its soul, essence, its heritage, history, its culture. 

  

Art isn't easy
Every minor detail
Is a major decision
Have to keep things in scale
Have to hold to your vision
Even though you're feeling apprehensive
That you're looking bland and inoffensive
And you wish your wardrobe was extensive
Don't forget that Spangles are expensive

Let's welcome them with a few pieces from an orchestra, followed by a traditional welcome performance of traditional dances to the rhythm of the gangsa, or gongs. Let them deliver their messages for a brief intermission, then let's get back to the main plot.    

The light, Love
A little to the right, Love
It isn't very bright, Love
And must it be so tight, Love
Thank you, he does that every night
Beat by beat, losing inhibition
Head, hands, feet, trying to relax, but not too much
Trying to lay out the exposition
But without exposing it as such
Trying to perform but not audition
Trying to establish recognition
Trying to persuade the electrician
That he should destroy the competition
Art isn't easy
Every word, every line
Every glance, every movement
You improve and refine
And refine each improvement

Photo by Ric Maniquis

And it's time to put it all together. Let the gangsa establish the beat, a basic Cordillera beat, let the drummer follow that on the high hat. The let the choir join in the intro. Section by section the instruments of the orchestra join in, strings, brass, guitars.. then the drums, a kit and a group of hand drummers. 

  

Bit by bit, putting it together
Piece by piece, working out the vision night and day
What it takes is time and perseverance
Dealing with details along the way
Dealing with Producer's interference
Waiting for the Author's disappearance
Filling up the holes with animation
Covering the flaws in the construction
Wiping all the scenic ostentation
Knowing it's a "Macintosh" production
Working for a tiny compensation
Hoping for a thunderous ovation
The art of making art
Is putting it together

Cue the dancers to come in - both modern and indigenous movements danced to harmony created by the coming together of different elements united by a single design.

Song ends, let the gong players lead them inside where a classical pianist welcomes everyone on a grand piano, to be joined by two classical vocalists for a few arias, complementing the classic architecture that's one of the vestiges of the city's colorful history... let the audience breathe, then let a folk singer gather them to open an important exhibit... let a performance artist tel his story...   

Bit by Bit
Part by Part
Fit by Fit
Start by Start, Stride by Stride
Kick by Kick, Glide by Glide
Schtick by Schtick, Side by Side by Side by Side by Side by Side.
And that is the state of the art.

Unfortunately, this Sondheim classic was not performed during the opening ceremony. We tried, but we couldn't reach that certain performance level, and the audience deserves no less than what the artists believe is a work of art that is truly ready and worthy of presentation to an audience. 

And in not performing the song, an important facet of the portrait we wanted to paint was actually presented - the artist whose standards are not defined by any factor - commerce, tourism, parochialism, among others - other than their own artistic sensibility and professionalism.

Because, as Sondheim's song says, art isn't easy.