Filipino conceptual artist Poklong Anading made his U.S. debut at Silverlens New York with his exhibit “deep in the shallows, afloat in the depths.” The show features two new works developed during his residency on Lubi Island in Davao del Oro: an installation titled recruit no. 2 and a 90-minute video piece called screen time.
Hanging from the gallery’s viewing room, recruit no. 2 is made from a recovered fishing net, seashells, and marine mineral traces. It’s part of a 300-meter net Anading found underwater, initially used to protect marine areas but now contributing to environmental damage. The accompanying video documents his dive, the recovery process, and the surprising discovery of coral and marine life growing on the discarded net.
“Pagkakuha ko nung plastic, medyo malayo na sa shore, nakita ko yung net. Sobrang haba. And because of that napansin ko yung mga fishing net na ginagamit pang bakod na nagiging sanhi din ng basura at pagkasira ng corals,” said Anading.
Instead of simply discarding the net, Anading chose to recreate the underwater scene to raise awareness about the invisible damage to coral reefs and the environment. His work highlights the irony of protective tools turning into threats.
“Ginagamit nila yung term na yon for propagation of corals,” he said, explaining the word “recruit,” which refers to the young corals growing on the marine debris. “In a way, they are starting to adapt to the environment.”
Anading has long addressed environmental concerns through art. During the pandemic, he repurposed food packaging and cement to create planters as part of his commentary on consumption and waste. He clarified that his art is not meant to solve climate issues but to spark conversation.
“I don’t want to put moral on it kasi wala rin ako sa posisyon na magsalita,” he said. “Art will not really solve the problem directly. But it can encourage or invite people to look at it and to reconsider our relationship with our environment and with the sea.”
“It’s simply an eye opener. That’s really the only thing I can do,” Anading added.