Filipino Poets & Their Poems is a bespoke poetry performance program that is developed with a partnering institution or grassroots collective. Filipino poets are commissioned to writenew poetry in response to a theme or an artist’s exhibited body of work. The poetry is thenperformed either in person or online, typically in an exhibition walkthrough format that altersthe audience’s experience of an art exhibition. 

ART JAMEEL EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING
JAMEEL ART CENTER
DECEMBER 2021-JANUARY 2022

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The prompt is the prolific works of artist Pacita Abad, whose vibrant art traverses through places and everydayness regardless of continent. Three Filipino poets have been commissioned to respond to Pacita’s themes and artworks through poetry. The Filipino poets perform their poems while leading a walk-through of Abad’s exhibition streets of gold, in an exploration of what it means to be at peace in-between places. This public program is inspired by the solo exhibition, ‘Pacita Abad: I Thought the Streets Were Paved with Gold’. 

This was preceded by a roundtable discussion with Dubai's art community members. 

What would an inclusive arts community look like? In a dizzyingly cosmopolitan city like Dubai and the wider U.A.E, how can the multiplicities of experiences, identities and experiences be reflected and represented in the arts and cultural sphere? Inspired by themes from Pacita Abad’s Immigrant Experience series, this was an intimate round table led by the Sa Tahanan Collective  founders on the importance of creating inclusive arts spaces in multicultural communities by engaging art makers and art enthusiasts across the varied communities of the UAE. 

Poets: Dale Ang, Jared Maxilom, Rosan Katlea Juan 

ALSERKAL RAMADAN PROGRAMMING
THE YARD, ALSERKAL AVENUE
MAY 5, 2021

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Five UAE-based poets respond to the themes of Alserkal’s Ramadan programing,#ThisIsNotABuffet. The poets present their original work in reflection of our relationship withourselves and others.

Poets: Danabelle Gutierrez, Alexis Javero, Benj Marlow, Jared Maxilom, Dale Ang 

ENGAGE.101
FOUNDRY DOWNTOWN
FEBRUARY 27, 2021

A poetry performance tour created in response to Sarah Ahli’s solo exhibition with Engage 101 titled Placeless Place, at Foundry Downtown. This was curated as part of 101.art’s publicprogramming in collaboration with grassroots and emerging initiatives in the UAE. The poetsstudied Ahli’s work and wrote poetry in response to her creative process, her works' themesand the curation of the exhibition.

Poets: Anna Bernice, Augustine Paredes, Trixie Danielle 

EMIRATES LITERATURE FESTIVAL x ALSERKAL
ONLINE / INSTAGRAM
February 14, 2021

A virtual performance of four Filipino poets in Abu Dhabi, Cebu, Dubai, and Paris incelebration of the Emirates Airline Literature Festival. Streamed on Alserkal’s Instagram pageduring the duration of the program.

Poets: Angel Cruz, Evangeline Louise, Anna Bernice, Renee Ultado 

watch here

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