There is fine art : with its highly elite conceptualizations and strict inclinations towards the academe on the other end, there is folk art : which takes inspiration from popular culture or the pop art. And then there is the void after a plane wherein ideas and concepts are not ruled by pre-conceived notions of existing schools of thought nor by laid down standards. This is where Elemento is existing and functioning. Elemento holds their ground, though not in a conscious avant garde kind of way because the group is actually driven by the primal concept of creation, more than anything else action as a result of primal urges. As it is the intention may sound too pure but then again for Elemento nothing may ever really seems to be intentional for every aspect about the group is just incidental. Elemento is a multi-disciplinary art collective that is spear-headed by Lirio Salvador, a visual assemblage / sound artist. Salvador creates sound sculptures cum musical instruments out of metal pipes, stainless steel, bicycle parts and other industrial materials. These sound sculptures are being used by the group in their sound art/musical performances and are sometimes seen hanging on display on different museums and art galleries. The concept behind Salvador’s sound sculptures called “sandata” or weapon is in line with the idea of creating something out of what is given and readily available or adaptability. Very much in the same native tradition of adapting to one’s surroundings although it just so happened that Salvador is adapting to surroundings that is in the eternal now. The materials and even the concepts that Salvador works at are actually indigenous but stemming from a modern industrialized setting. It’s almost like the concept of tribal existence come full circle : existing, adapting, creating and functioning just as the natives were before but from the point of view of someone existing in the now. In this sense, Salvador is almost like a modern native, a techno tribal shaman and the Elemento collective – a career tribal commune : existing, adapting, creating and functioning as it is in a modern and industrialized tribal setting guided by instinct and primal tendencies. But more than anything else for Salvador and the other kindred spirits who share his vision, Elemento is more than just a collective : it is a state of mind and a way of life. Everything else is just incidental. 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
