Art Verité Gallery

The Value of Vintage

In Typed, Otto Neri’s solo exhibition of recent works, the artist lets us dwell in nostalgia while marveling at human genius. By putting the spotlight on antique typewriters and fountain pens and interpreting them with his vibrantly pigmented impasto paintings, Neri invites us to contemplate the role of these seemingly outdated objects in a technology-driven world and in the larger context of human history.

Neri’s paintings imbue each work with a unique personality and story. His thick, dynamic textures and electrifying colors bring to life the various nuances and intricacies of these objects, making them more than just mere tools. By visualizing the typewriter and fountain pen, the artist highlights their human connection and crucial roles in chronicling the human experience.

Each piece in the exhibition tells a story that is both personal and universal. Matamis na Ala-ala ng Kabataan (Sweet Memories of Youth) in hot pink brings to mind the sugary Cherry Ball Gum candy that kids used to tint their lips and stain their hands so badly, making it hard for children to deny to strict adults that they partook of prohibited sweets. Kwento ng Kahapon (Yesterday’s Story) is sepia-toned, bringing to mind old movies and photographs and the fading memories of yesteryears. Alab ng Puso (Heart’s Flame) is the color of blood and fire, courage, and love of country. Bughaw (Blue) features a vivid, almost fluorescent ultramarine lapis lazuli that was immensely expensive in the past due to its rarity and the time-intensive process of grinding the mineral into paint. Maharlika (Royalty) brings to mind deep purple robes of power and wisdom, while also invoking cerebral pursuits and the sensuality of violets. Misteryo ng Nakaraan (Mysteries of the Past) might have been a dark precursor to Edgar Allan Poe’s macabre poetry and short stories, if only he got to live during the typewriter’s time. Contrasting with this series is Neri’s interpretation of fountain pens in Return to Sender, Love Letter, and Dear Diary, which showcase the gold-tipped, gracefully shaped writing implements that lend a more personal take on letter writing, signifying timeless elegance while being powered by one’s hand.

Through this exhibition, Neri reminds us that even seemingly outdated objects still have a place in our lives. Typewriters and fountain pens may have been replaced by computers and gel pens, but their importance in the history of communication and creativity cannot be understated. The artist’s depiction of cloud-like textured projections on canvas portrays prolific flow and ingenious energy at their most spirited agitation, vision, and inspiration. He interprets the processes of writing machines, both mechanical and human, as explorations in translation through imagery, rendering them dateless and enduring.

Written by KO