\m/ is young artist Dexter Fernandez’s second solo show. The title is the emoticon for “rock on”, symbolizing the hand sign normally reserved for rockstars and the coolest of the cool.

Fernandez’s show is a different take on worship and icons. He takes an out-of-the-box look at the image of Jesus Christ, as expressed in modern sculptures and pictures. In them, Fernandez sees a “stereotypical rockstar, revered and loved”. Christ’s “long chestnut hair, thick beard, aura” have parallels with the how rockstars look today. Image plays an important part in their popularity.

Like the title suggests, Fernandez wonders what happens when there is a disconnection between the symbol and what it represents. What happens when the image is distorted? “Would we still pray to such images of a God?”

With sculptures of Christ with engraved markings, a photograph and a mural, Fernandez critiques today’s definition of worship and its dependence on the image. To Fernandez, “this show is not anti-religion or antirockstar in any way. It’s basically anti-norm”.

The exhibit is opening on February 16 and will be on view at 20SQUARE, SLab Silverlens Gallery. \m/ by Dexter Fernandez opens simultaneously with Between Signs by Poklong Anading + Gary-Ross Pastrana in Silverlens and Even Bad Days are Good by Mariano Ching at SLab. The three shows run until March 19, 2011.

Contact 816-0044 or 0917-5874011, email [email protected]. or log on to www.silverlensphoto.com for inquiries. Silverlens Gallery is located at 2/F YMC Bldg. II, 2320 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 10AM–7PM and Saturdays 1–6PM.

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