MANILA, Philippines – If there is power in voicing out opinions through social media, it is more powerful to do it through art.
This is what #MarcosARTrocities participating artist Rodrigo Acuzar believes in.
A creative community, going by the name Molotov Pilipinas, encouraged people to post their artworks online on September 11 to condemn the Marcos atrocities. (READ: On Marcos centennial, a call to post artworks about martial law atrocities)
This crowdsourcing effort follows the declaration of September 11 as a non-working day in Ilocos Norte to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the late president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
“It feels great to be part of a community of modern-day Juan Lunas where through digital art, we are able to express our political and socio-cultural views,” he said.
Juan Luna was a Philippine painter and revolutionist in the late 19th century.
Believing that socio-cultural and political engagement is fluid, the artists believe art is one way to speak up about national issues. (IN PHOTOS: Activists ‘celebrate’ Marcos’ 100th birth anniversary)
“There is strength in art. Art has been my tool to carry out my extreme dissent towards this celebration of tyranny and a dying democracy," Acuzar added.
Several artists showcased their powerful masterpieces on social media.
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<a class="twitter-timeline" data-partner="tweetdeck" href="https://twitter.com/MovePH/timelines/908180285908324352">#MarcosARTrocities - Curated tweets by MovePH</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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According to Molotov Pilipinas, the project was inspired by #ArtPH trend in Twitter, where hundreds of visual artists posted their creations. They said they wanted the same effect.
“The Marcoses know and use the power of the arts very well. This is an attempt to unite and rally (anti-fascist) artists to beat the Marcoses in their own game. It’s a small step in our big battle against historical revisionism,” they said.
Marcos was buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani with full military honors on November 18, 2016. – Rappler.com