ABSTRACT RHYTHMS
Hernando R. Ocampo’s Vision in Motion
Table of Contents
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The Author
Bianca Marie
Panimdim
Who is H.R Ocampo
Hernando
Ruiz
Ocampo
The Genesis
Abstract Rhythms
Genesis in a Kaleidoscopic experience
AUTHOR The
BIANCA MARIE PANIMDIM
Bianca is a multimedia artist who finds inspiration in abstraction, experimentation, and personal narratives.
She deeply resonates with Hernando Ocampo’s works, she reinterprets his abstract forms through a kaleidoscopic lens, transforming them into a multisensory experience.
Her zine is not just a visual journey but a reflection on art’s deeper meaning, influenced by the stories of her grandparents and the evolving digital age.
WHAT AND WHO INFLUENCED HER ART ?
She grew up joining poster making contests focused on social themes, often using arts and crafts to express ideas. These experiences shaped her creativity and storytelling that made her resonate with H.R ocampo
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WHAT IS HER ART STYLE ?
Bianca is a graphic designer currently mastering her skills in visual manipulation, using photo editing and digital layering to enhance storytelling through her work.
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With a passion for creativity and detail, she aspires to make a lasting impact in the design field by crafting compelling and meaningful visuals.
MORE OF HER WORKS
She also has a deep passion for arts and crafts. In fact, she actively participates in various contests, such as crafting and designing gowns for the Piña Festival in Ormoc City, Leyte. Her enthusiasm for these competitions stems from her love for creativity and intricate craftsmanship. Through her work, she not only showcases her artistic talent but also expresses her appreciation for local culture and traditions.
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HERNANDO “NADING” RUIZ OCAMPO
Hernando R. Ocampo, a pioneering Filipino modernist, was named National Artist for Visual Arts in 1991.
Hernando Ruiz Ocampo was a Filipino painter, writer, and one of the most influential figures in Philippine modern art. Born on April 28, 1911, in Santa Cruz, Manila, he grew up in a time of great political and cultural shifts in the country.
Unlike many artists of his time who received formal training in the fine arts, Ocampo was largely self-taught. He initially pursued law and creative writing at the University of the Philippines but never completed his degree.
Despite his literary success, Ocampo’s passion for visual art gradually took precedence. He was deeply influenced by the rapid modernization of the Philippines and the cultural changes brought about by colonization, war, and post war recovery.
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His early exposure to writing influenced his artistic perspective, giving his works a strong narrative and emotional depth.
His shift to painting was both a personal journey and a response to the need for a new artistic expression that reflected the evolving Filipino identity. Despite lacking formal training, his keen observation and experimental approach helped him develop a distinctive style.
Artwork 1, Sonata in Green, 1969. Artwork 2, Abstraction 75, 1975. Artwork 3, Karnabal, 1971.
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Genesis
One of Hernando Ocampo’s most celebrated works is Genesis, a vibrant abstract painting that showcases his mastery of color, form, and movement. Created in 1968, the piece is characterized by bold, interlocking shapes in fiery reds, oranges, yellows, and greens, evoking the energy of creation and the organic rhythms
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H.R. Ocampo’s acknowledged masterpiece Genesis served as the basis of the curtain design of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater.
His works contemplated on the aspects of the Philippines itself. Ocampo drew inspiration from the Philippine landscape, particularly its lush tropical environment, as well as the country’s cultural and socio-political conditions. His use of biomorphic shapes and vivid hues was his way of capturing the essence of life, growth, and the dynamic forces of the natural world.
Genesis was so highly regarded that it became the basis for the curtain design of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), further cementing Ocampo’s influence on Philippine modern art. Ocampo not only shaped the modernist movement in the country but also helped redefine Filipino artistic identity, proving that abstraction could carry deep cultural significance.
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Bianca recreated Genesis as a kaleidoscopic experience, allowing viewers to witness its shifts and transformations, just as its meaning suggests. By looking through a kaleidoscope, the artwork continuously evolves reflecting the essence of creation, change, and movement.
She also incorporated Lucio San Pedro’s Buwan sa Kabundukan, as it was played during Genesis’s debut as the CCP curtain.
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This connection enhances the experience, merging visual and auditory elements to deepen the artwork’s original impact.
Scan here to view H.R. Ocampo's Artwork "Genesis" in a kaleidoscopic experience.
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