Today we tambay with Jose Tence "Bogie" Ruiz. Us is my MFA 203, Visual Communication Theories. Today is Nov 16, afternoon. We have just finished the readings and seminar part of the syllabus. I wanted the students to bring their learnings, questions and doubts into real-life conversations. Who best to talk to than one of the most accessible, most accomplished visual artist in the neighborhood.
Actually, Bogie have been receiving my classes for studio visits since the early 2000s (mostly for Humanities courses). Sabi ko nga, with Bogie, there is no topic too small or too insignificant. It is this kind of generosity, a kind of energy that I wanted my students to carry with them while we go to the production of their final assignment, which is an art-based research.
Like any tambayan there's food and drinks! It was overflowing. Bogie prepared something for us, but we also brought some more. I am so glad that from the introduction, my students felt comfortable with Bogie. This set the tune of the conversation-- a light and open conversation, about anything and everything, but most importantly of how it is to live a life as an artist.
Bogie shared with us some of his studies, and works that he is currently working on. Some of those we discussed at length was his work for the Venice Biennale and the kariton (which is most iconic work, as far as I am concerned). [And the history of the studio, which may be a for a movie or a gruesome documentary.]
It was a short visit. But something that I find productive. As far as art practice is concerned, about living a life of an artist, any volume of readings really cannot be surrogate to experience.
"Your art will go to the direction of your need." This is a new advice from Bogie that stayed with me, this time. He explained that despite the planning of one's life and aspirations, artists tend to (consciously or subconsciously) direct their art making towards their present condition. Practical needs-- how to pay the rent, how to raise children, what will I do next, are much entangled questions. I am not sure if he said this in the past, maybe I do not remember, or maybe I heard now because I am already at that age when I am ready to unveil art not as a purely spiritual activity and reveal it's true form, being a career, a practice, a lifestyle, that has very little business to keep floating on clouds.
