exhibited as part of Soil and Stones, Souls and Songs

Dear Yeyey, Cosmin, Inti and Marie

I hope this finds you all well. Since the Supreme Court ruling last week and the horrific burial yesterday, I have been trying to work out what to do with my contribution to the exhibition. My initial proposal for the works seemed too mannered and still confined to a particular historical conversation that not everyone is familiar with. Withdrawing the works entirely seems to be an impotent way of dealing with the situation.

I just know that this isn't the time to be talking about the whimsical fantasies of a dictatorship. It is the time to confront the painful realities the Marcoses have continued to inflict on the Filipino people and what that means for the country and for the region. I would like to somehow implicate these works in an act of indignation.

I have decided that the best thing to do is tocover both works entirely in black paint (including the frames) while retaining the titles of the work, Ferdinand as Malakas, Imelda as Maganda. I then request that the paintings tour in this state, with a small photograph of the paintings in their original form installed alongside.

I would like to know your thoughts and it would be great if we can work on this as soon as possible.

Best,

Pio