Independent publishing lab Kwago recently opened its new bookstore in Bangkal, Makati. In partnership with Filipino lifestyle and media brand Purveyr, the bookstore launched with a day-long exhibition last February 29. Called 24 hours, the event went around-the-clock and showcased not just the new space, but also local talent.
24 hours featured art that revolved around the concept of time. These were gathered through an open-call on Kwago’s social media platforms, then curated by Czyka Tumaliuan and Roy Voragen, co-owners of Kwago. “We invited people to investigate our evolving relationship with time, especially with the advent of digital technology,” Tumaliuan explains. “[Because] for each person, that’s personal.”
Recognizing diversity and inclusivity, Kwago then goes beyond the definition of a bookstore. It branches out from literature and highlights various forms of art. “[Kwago is] a democratic space for artists, writers, poets, all types of people.” George Dungca, a curatorial assistant at Kwago says: “At this point, it’s about more than just books.”
Indeed, there were multiple art forms seen in the opening. Around the bookshelves in Bangkal, photographs, illustrations, and paintings line the walls. Behind the counter sit magazines and collages. And during the fleeting 24 hours of the exhibit, artists of various fields spoke and performed on the hour. There were talks by Tumaliuan and Warehouse Eight founder Kayla Dionisio, livestreams by visual artist Alfred Marasigan, and sets from music producer Pamcy and singer-songwriter Yassy T., to name a few. Through these, Tumaliuan hoped to show the need for discourse in literature. “The purpose is to keep reading and literature alive,” Tumaliuan states. “There’s an exhibition space, right now there’s a talk, and we want that chaos and dialogue in the space.”
Geela Garcia’s (AB COM ‘19) photo collection, for one, promoted discourse on the everyday issue of transport. Upon hearing the concept of 24 Hours, the artist’s initial thought was the Filipino commute. “For me, it takes around four hours of my time just to go to places.” Garcia shares. “When you look at it, that’s one-eighth of your day.” Entitled Good Morning sa Masisipag na Manggagawa ng Pilipinas Only (Good Morning to the Hardworking Laborers of the Philippines Only), her collection of photographs captures the reality of commuters in Metro Manila.
“The workers of the Philippines are super diligent, super responsible, super masipag (hardworking). They fight their way to get to the car,” she says. “But when they get to work, the working conditions are bad.” As Garcia resonates with their struggle and exhaustion, her photographs have become a way of shedding light on this situation.
True to the name 24 hours, the exhibit lasted for only one fleeting day. Yet, there are plans for the bookstore to be used as an exhibition space for many more artists to come. “It’ll be a very fluid space where artists can do what they want,” Dungca says. “That’s what Czyka has always been doing, even in our old space. There are no rules here.”