Grey Areas
A company like Anino, constantly dealing and coping with such stark contrasts as light and shadow or dark, tradition and innovation, fortune and misfortune, success and failure is expected by many to be more committed in its politics and its art. And many end up frustrated with it. Arms akimbo, they demand, “What is Anino about anyway?” With this art collective’s now classic answer of “nothing, anything and everything”, they end up either loving or hating the collective and its work.
Perhaps, for Anino, the problem lies in that its chosen art form drives it towards the world of dreams and yet the harsh realities of its milieu claim its attention. And, rather than taking one and forsaking the other, the collective attempts to marry the two. If hindered, it opts for the middle ground – the grey area.
What interests the collective the most are the grey areas of life - questions begging for answers, concepts waiting for definition. Philippine shadowplay, because it is non-traditional to the country and little known as yet, is one big grey area. To develop it, the group takes its cue from Philippine culture itself. That is to say Anino went for hybridity, invention, resourcefulness and an organic process.
Organic in the sense that plans, concepts, designs, even techniques are adjusted or abandoned as necessary according to the rhythm and realities faced, all the while bearing out beauty by marrying the two opposite yet complimentary concepts of freedom (to play and experiment) and discipline.
