Sculpture Hunting 1.0 - Nine Muses and Rajah Soliman in Diliman

Sculptures hold a certain allure for me. More so of human forms, of bodies undulating, of expressions set in stone. University of the Philippines Diliman is an Sculpture-lover's paradise. You'll find one in every corner, every building front and even hidden behind bushes. Some will surprise you with the artist that crafted them, some will enchant you. But mostly, all of them will make you appreciate the three-dimensional artform.

One such gem is the Nine Muses sculpture by none other than National Artist Napoleon Abueva which according to him represented the nine arts—architecture, music, painting, sculpture, literature, dance, painting, cinematography and computer arts. Nine Muses may be found in front of the UP Diliman Faculty Center beside Vargas Museum.

Just beside the Faculty Center is Vargas Museum, one of the largest museum in Quezon City. In front you'll find the sculpture of Rajah Soliman which was made by Anastacio Caedo in 1987. He is shown holding a kris in one hand and the other on his waist. 

Just to the left of Vargas Museum, you'll find an abstract sculpture. I can't find any information regarding the sculpture so please leave a comment below if you can contribute any. 

Analogue Tips: 

• Fisheye camera for the taking a picture of the Nine Muses right beneath it. 
• Ultra-wide camera so you can get close to the sculptures and still manage to get everything on the frame
• Camera with flash to combat the heavy shades inside the campus due to the trees 
• Slide films - because they look better in it, than in regular negs. :)

UP Diliman Sculpture Garden--Hidden, Not Forgotten

Bridge of Love by Abueva | BlackBird Fly TLR x Elitechrome 400

"Whoa! Sculpture garden? In UP Diliman?! Where is that?"

That's the standard reaction I get whenever I mention this area in Diliman. I've studied there for four years and the only reason I've noticed this is because I'm predisposed to staring outside when I ride the jeepneys in UP than, say, talk to my companions. haha. I'm also more interested in sculptures rather than paintings or drawings or any other forms of art. Something about sculptures or installations that captures my interest, must be because they are so lifelike? I don't know. 

The Blood Compact by Abueva | BlackBird Fly TLR x Elitechrome 400

You'll find a number of sculptures seemingly haphazardly placed here. One of which seems to be either a copy or the rough draft of "The Blood Compact" sculpture by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, who himself was an alumnus of the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts. The sculpture on the gate is called the "The Bridge of Love" done by Abueva as well. Come to think of it, there are a lot of Abueva sculptures in Diliman, I might just embark on an Abueva Sculpture-themed photowalk someday soon. 

You'll find this gem beside the College of Fine Arts Building with the gate to the Garden located near the Parking lot of CFA. As you enter UP Diliman Campus via the University Avenue, turn Right at the Checkpoint and about 250 meters down, you'll see CFA.

Analogue Tips:

• Cameras that can take square format pictures
• High ISO film because the tree shade will block most of the sun out, no matter what time of day.