Arts & International Affairs: Volume 2, Number 2 | Page 91

Today’s Trial is Tomorrow’s
Testimony
Marika Constantino
Marika Constantino is an artist who has participated in significant exhibitions in the Philippines
and abroad. As a freelance writer, she contributes to a number of globally distributed publications.
She shares her various experiences in the art practice to a wider audience as an educator. As an
extension of her art practice, she also works as an independent curator and researcher. Her early
exposure to art and her boundless fascination for the creative process resulted with a degree from the
UP College of Architecture to further studies at the UP College of Fine Arts, with Art History as her
major. Constantino is continually striving to strike the balance between the cerebral, conceptual and
experiential aspects of art with life in general which fuels her fervent passion for artistic endeavors.
Aside from her individual art practice, much of her time is devoted to co-directing the programs and
activities of 98B COLLABoratory and coordinating the undertakings of the First United Building
Community Museum in Escolta, Manila.
Artists are integral members of society. Their senses are deeply engaged
when confronted with injustice, mediocrity, inequality, self-interests,
discrimination, violence, greed, and other human frailties. Due to their
distinct sensibility and sensitivity, they have the capacity to attest, react, and
respond through means, media, and voices that can facilitate provocation,
transformation, and dialogue. Artists express sentiments and testaments
beyond statistics and data. They are narrators of various stories and enable
bridging the gaps between past, present, and future. Artists elect to implicate
themselves in the moment. They immerse their minds, bodies, and souls
within consequential actions, tumultuous events, or critical conversations.
Artists are not mere bystanders. Their consciousness,
once roused, provokes contemplation and interpolation.
From mere observers they become active players in
history and humanity. Art can depict apprehensions as
well as ideals and even the affirmation of beliefs and
values. Artists’ commitment to engage these ideas is
part of their connection with society. As artists, they
inquire, interrogate and examine; their eye for detail,
inquisitive nature and instinctive explorations lead
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