“The Ruby Edition: Looking back and moving forward” is the 2019 MassKara Festival installation of Bacoleño photographer, filmmaker, and production designer RJ Lacson.
The installation will be unveiled to the public on Oct 6, 6 p.m. at the fountain area of the Bacolod Government Center, Festival Director Eli Tajanlangit said.
“It’s an anniversary-themed tableau presented as a zeitgeist of the moment in creativity and aesthetics inspired from 40 years of the MassKara Festival seen from the native of the city’s point of view,” he said.
“The idea came when I was given the challenge to come up with a ruby MassKara-themed fountain installation that would best showcase a celebration of history and today,” he added.
The installation depicts three dancers in different actions and are wearing costumes that are a mix of haute couture and seasoned patterns and designs.
The dancers represent the streetdance that is one of the highlights of the festival.
According to Lacson, the installation is a series of statements in the 40 years of the festival that has tried to define what MassKara is. It will somehow give us a glimpse on how the festival, for the past forty years, has showcased different artists and choreographers that gave the festival its sensibilities and uniqueness.
He also explained that, “These designers, along with the others contributing their work, exemplify aspects of MassKara in their design, putting theatricality, irony, and humor on the checkered flooring of Bacolod’s public plaza.”