Art critic: "The Kingmaker" shows Imelda did not represent art, culture

Former first lady and founding chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Imelda Marcos did not represent art or culture in the documentary "The Kingmaker," according to art critic and curator Marian Pastor-Roces.

Roces shared her thoughts during a panel discussion after the matinee screening of "The Kingmaker" on Wednesday afternoon.

"As you can see in the film, she represented what was gauche, what was really awful, what was not beautiful. Nakita naman ninyo 'yung suot niya, maganda ba iyon?" Roces asked, making a reference to Imelda's gowns in the documentary.

She said this in response to panel discussion moderator Atom Araullo's question on the role of culture in politics, given that Imelda was a known patron of the arts.

Roces highlighted a scene in the film where Imelda claimed she owned a painting by Italian artist Michelangelo.

"Wala namang Michelangelo for sale anywhere on earth. Anybody who claims to have Michelangelo is somebody [whom] some bad dealers took advantage of, during the regime...That means, she was just utterly stupid and she has nothing to do with culture," the curator said.

Roces said that in the 1960's, there were numerous forces that pushed for building a cultural center. This is where the Marcos clan matriarch "pivoted" and decided to build the CCP, along with other buildings such as the Philippine Heart Center and San Juanico Bridge.

"At what cost? It cost us too much," she said.

She also compared the Philippines' experience with that of Australia's experience in producing world-class actors and directors.

"The Australian government decided to create the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) where they funded young actors, directors. Binuhos nila 'yung pera nilang konti lang sa tao. And they produced Nicole Kidman to Russell Crowe. They had no building," she explained.

After reaching stardom, the young Australian actors and directors subsequently funded the building of the NIDA, she said.

"Baliktad ang ginawa natin. Nagpagawa kami ng gusali at hindi natulungan ang mga artists. May tulungan na ilan, [katulad ni] Cecil Licad," Roces said.

According to her, patronage was an old form of supporting the arts, and it did not apply anymore to the twentieth century.

"'Yung formula na may patron, hindi na iyan tama o sapat para sa art. Parang, kalimutan na si Imelda Marcos sa building na ito," Roces said, drawing rounds of applause from the audience.

Recently, the CCP held its 50th-anniversary dinner in honor of founding chairman Imelda Marcos. The event sparked criticism among some netizens online. — BAP, GMA News