Creativity and artistry abound in the Baguio City. So it’s no wonder the City if Pines has been named a Creative City by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2017. The city’s cool mountain weather lends itself well to get one’s creative juices flowing, so it’s also no wonder why artists like Neil Acosta, choose to make this their home.
Neil Acosta, Contemporary Artist
Homegrown artist Neil Acosta calls himself a contemporary artist. He has been dabbling into art since his elementary days but never got into the mainstream like most artists.
Like most people, Neil worked for a living. In the late 2000’s, he recalls working in a restaurant in the La Azotea Building along Session Road. During that time, he loved to hang out with local artists who would display their works after hours outside of the building. He said that this gave him the opportunity to get to know them and give him ideas for his own art.
Sure enough, in 2006, he made his first piece, which was a bracelet. He continues to make these accessories which are usually made from pieces which he would find in thrift shops or curio shops.
All About Expression
Neil used different types of media for his art and crafts. Most of the stuff he makes include bracelets. necklaces and hand-painted t-shirts. He also does terracotta sculptures and wall mounted paintings.
When asked if he has a preferred medium that he liked to use, he said that he has no bias. He says it depends on what his “system” wants him to do. For him, art is essentially a way of expressing oneself and one’s emotions. When it comes to his creative process, he says that one needs “a little bit of craziness to show or express emotion.”
As an artist, he draws his inspiration from the world where he moves. He looks at what he sees around him, the people and their attitudes, and uses this to fuel his creative drive.
For his crafts, he approaches it from a more practical perspective. Since his crafts are mostly accessories, he considers what he can make that is different from what is already out there. He tries to come up with unique designs, especially those that his fellow artists have not done.
On the Creative City Designation and Creative Economy
He participated in the Creative Latag Market that was done during the Creative Baguio Festival last November. He appreciated how a venue such as that would encourage artists like him to take part because it gave them a chance to showcase their work. He also said that it would help them a lot if this type of venue can be provided to them regularly.
One thing he has noticed since the designation of Baguio as a Creative City is a semblance of unity among artists or creatives. Given his experience before, he feels that this is something that needs to be improved. As a creative city, artists should unite, come together and work together more often.