Shake, Rattle, and Ball 2023 is an exhibition gala worthy of the limelight for its celebration of homegrown artistry with the theme of Philippine folklore and mythology. In an exclusive interview with MEGA, Tim Yap tells us more about the Halloween event
Host, eventologist, and club owner Tim Yap is no stranger to hosting Halloween parties, but this year’s Shake, Rattle, and Ball is the first of its kind that he’s spearheaded. Held at the National Museum of Anthropology, the event was an exhibition gala that gave its guests an exclusive preview into Alamat ahead of its public opening on October 31. Similar to the Halloween gala, Alamat is themed around Philippine folklore and mythology and pays homage to local artistry. Notably, actress Andrea Brillantes joins Tim Yap as the star-studded event’s co-chair.
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“I wanted to create something more meaningful, deeper, and rooted in culture, and share it with everyone,” Tim said of the exhibition gala. Read ahead for an exclusive insight into Shake, Rattle, and Ball 2023.
An exploration of fear and folklore
Having hosted many Halloween parties in the past, Tim has an appreciation for the holiday. In fact, he mentioned that Halloween is like a celebration of the Filipino’s relationship with fear since there are so many figures that inspire fear from local stories. With these in mind, he said that he sought inspiration from Philippine pop culture, folklore, and mythology for Shake, Rattle, and Ball 2023. But even as these creatures and spirits can inspire fear, he explained that they don’t have to be seen as scary, but rather as our friends.
“We always look outside. It’s time to look inside and look within our own sphere to find inspiration,” Tim said of the theme. That’s why Shake, Rattle, and Ball was an invitation to everyone to come in dressed in their interpretation of Philippine folklore and mythology.
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It’s with these concepts in mind that the National Museum of Anthropology was chosen as the venue. According to Tim, this particular venue helps elevate the experience since it holds more soul than other venues. And although this museum holds artifacts significant to our history, he mentioned that he knows many of his friends and industry colleagues have not been there prior. “So at least in my mind, if I am able to achieve that for that night, these people get to come to the museum and experience and appreciate our culture, [then] I would have done my job. And, of course, the message after the opening night is for more people to come. And if they come in for free and appreciate and experience what we’ve worked hard for, then even better,” he added.
A celebration of homegrown creativity
The artworks not being part of an exclusive exhibit is a key element for Tim as he highlights how families and their children can come in and enjoy it for free. Emphasizing the impressive artistry of the featured local artists, he explained that Alamat features the works of various diverse artists’ interpretations of Philippine folklore and mythology. This includes what he describes as a Tree of Life and an enchanted forest you can enter in the courtyard.
“I hope that through this event and through the other things that we are going to be doing, we always put the Filipino first and we realize that, on our own, our culture is enough. We have so much to give and to offer that we need not look elsewhere,” Tim said.
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With these things in mind, the artists chosen for Alamat were ones Tim described as those that best exemplify the different sides of the Filipino, as well as sheer creativity from different disciplines. Describing the two main artists at the head of the exhibition, Tim said that they are both world-renowned and showcase “different facets of the Filipino that we never saw until we experienced their work.” Adding to that, he said, “Through their artistry, I want to be able to communicate through this event just how deep our own culture is.”
A joint art exhibition
Alamat, the joint exhibition displayed in Gallery 2, features works from world-renowned Filipino artists like National Artist for Film Eric Oteyza de Guia—popularly known as Kidlat Tahimik—and artist-designer Leeroy New. You’ll also find various art installations in the outdoor courtyard made entirely from recycled plastics, courtesy of the latter contemporary artist, whose other works are available in Weltmuseum Wien, Factory International, Lakeside Museum, and more.
Both artists explore local culture and mythos in their respective mediums. Notably, Alamat is Kidlat Tahimik’s second exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology. Last year, he had a solo exhibition entitled “INDIO-GENIUS: 500 Taon ng Labanang Kultural,” which featured installations using materials from found objects like rocks and shells, as well as wood struck down by typhoons. Though he is upheld as the Father of Philippine Indie Cinema, Kidlat Tahimik proves time and again that his art knows no bounds in his advocacy for indigenous culture against neo-colonialism.
With the exhibition gala over, Alamat is now open to the public starting today and will remain open until December.
Featured Image: MEGA ARCHIVES
