ART is not only about visual stimulation. It entails self-expression which must be embodied as a lifestyle. Connecting with an artwork often happens only in a matter of seconds but the privilege to experience such connection is limited by time upon which the viewer gets a chance to gaze upon such a concoction of emotions. To be able to take an artwork home is a chance which is rarely practiced, for only a few can mount such artworks on walls and space is a luxury for many.
To counter such dilemma, Threads and Needles launched its newest technology known as direct-to-garment printing on its weeklong celebration for its first anniversary last Oct. 10. With the launching of its direct-to-garment printing technology, the shop held an exhibit featuring photos of four Cebuano photographers which can be printed on shirts and bags to fully live up to the artistic form of self-expression. The shirts can easily be washed every after use because direct-to-garment printing is more invasive in each thread of the cloth and is more effective than the sticker type.
The four Cebuano photographers featured during the exhibit were Nathan Archival, RJ Galgo, Zach Aldave and Kenneth Asprer. These four photographers vary greatly in the way they express their perspectives.
Archival’s photographs exude the vibrance of Cebu. “Five years ago, I couldn’t see many landscape photos showing the beauty of Cebu. That’s why I made it a mission to take beautiful photos of the region, because for me, Cebu is very beautiful. It just takes someone to notice it and capture it. Majority of the photos I take are all about Cebu; that’s what gives my photos purpose and its purpose is to show the beauty of Cebu,” Archival said.
Twenty-year-old Aldave’s photographs display a playful allure with hints and innuendos of freedom, sexuality and teenage angst. “I put in a lot of single stroke contour drawings. I want people to reminisce those times when they were kids when they drew on magazines and there’s also a slight hint of erotica. It’s just a play on visuals with doodles that are a little bit sophisticated. What I do is not the conventional type of photography; I try to explore the limits. I like to see what I can do with my camera, like for example, playing with light. I overlaid photos altering the colors making it look trippy. It’s a play on or a commentary on teenage angst or getting high and making the most of being young. Most of my recent works display that because I’m still young.”
The carefree skater lifestyle is what Asprer captures in his photographs. “Skating has been part of my life since I was 13. I’m now 27 and I don’t skate anymore but it shaped me as the person I am right now. It was like an escape for me. It made me forget everything that was going on with my life. When I had problems at home I would just go out and forget the world and cruise,” said Asprer.
Viewers can choose to have the photos exhibited to be printed on their shirts and bags. The person who wants to buy a shirt can also customize and bring their own images. The printing process can only take up to two minutes but the whole process of choosing the image and preparing it for printing can be done in only less than 10 minutes. Customers can just wait inside the shop while having their shirts or bags printed on.