VIVA ExCon 2023 GIBWANGAN is an exhibit of artists from Antique Province on the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Iloilo North Point, September 25, 2023.

GIBWANGAN is a collateral show by Antiqueño Artists for the Visayas Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA ExCon) 2023, hosted by Antique. The show is organized by Museo Iloilo and SM City Iloilo, and it will run from September 25 to October 1, 2023.

VIVA ExCon 2023 GIBWANGAN

Gibwangan refers to the serene and magical estuaries of Antique Province, hidden gems that have sustained generations of fisherfolk, traders, and entire towns.

These estuaries are the heart and soul of Antique, where freshwater from nine major rivers and countless streams curl and swirl in the salty embrace of the Sulu Sea.

Once over-exploited and under-threat, these precious marine ecosystems are now getting the nurturing attention they deserve to nourish existing communities and sustain future generations.

Also support: VIVA ExCon Fund Run at Museo Iloilo

Hence, the VIVA ExCon 2023 GIBWANGAN exhibit is a homage to the life-giving estuaries of the scenic coastal province, and the show is a testament to joint efforts by creatives and communities to preserve their rich heritage.

Like Antique’s lush and fecund estuaries, the GIBWANGAN exhibits overflows with a myriad of colors, textures, and forms. The artwork ranges from traditional to contemporary, offering a diverse perspective on the region’s history, struggles, and dreams.

GIBWANGAN, however, is not only a showcase of artistic talents; it’s also a vital platform for economic empowerment, as proceeds from the show will directly benefit the artists and their families, similar to other collateral exhibitions that are intended to support VIVA ExCon 2023.

Antique’s GIBWANGAN is not just a hidden treasure; it is also a revelation of collective action for a better, more sustainable future. By recognizing the importance of the estuary and supporting VIVA ExCon 2023, GIBWANGAN is helping local communities envision a sustainable future.

With GIBWANGAN, the estuary becomes a symbol of hope—a reminder that by working together, we can protect our environment and uplift the lives of those who depend on it.

VIVA EXCON 2023 GIBWANGAN Antique

The 17^th edition of VIVA ExCon will feature epic chants and dance by members of the Panay Bukidnon indigenous community, public performances, outdoor installations, curated art exhibits, lectures and conferences, school projects, and round table discussions.

This year’s edition of VIVA ExCon will “dock” in the estuaries of San Jose de Buenavista and Sibalom on November 8–10, 2023. With the theme “Suba sa Iraya”, VIVA ExCon Antique 2023 will also be an urgent call to action to safeguard the fragile balance of nature, to appreciate the power of art to inspire change, and to help ensure the resilience of coastal communities.

Read: VIVA ExCon 2023 in Antique for the first time

Participants will include 45 international and local artists and collectives and more than 60 architecture students from three Panay Island universities.

Among VIVA ExCon’s institutional partners are the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Antique local government units, the University of Antique, Goethe Institut-Philippines, Japan Foundation-Manila, and Outlook Pointe Foundation.

For more information about VIVA ExCon 2023 Antique activities, you may email vivaexconantique@gmail.com, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/viva.excon.2023, or contact the mobile number 0926-487-9305.