Anton del Castillo's exhibition entitled “Psych War” portrays the major religious sectors in an allegorical representation of a human with an architectural façade for a head. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism are simulated as players symbolically portrayed engaging in various games, competing in a race for the domination of humanity and the salvation of mankind.

Chess, popularly known as a game of strategy, requires logical reasoning and the use of identified positions and hierarchies. Checkers is a tactical game with even playing fields of participants, representing straightforward tactics, and portraying a game of skill. Arm wrestling, considered as a game of strength, depicts physicality and struggle for power between opposing forces. On the other hand, the play of cards is a game of luck, a chance to get the upper hand. Each of these games is educational, simulative, and psychological- deliberately showing supremacy, power and control. The artist uses these games to portray how each religion creates a psych war to ultimately win the playing field: the human race.

Anton del Castillo’s show Psych War opens at the Alliance Française Total Gallery on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, and will be on exhibit until December 15, 2009.  You may visit the AFM website at www.alliance.ph or the artist’s site at www.antondelcastillo.com.

Alliance Française de Manille, 209 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel-Air II, Makati City, Philippines
Gallery days and hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm; Friday, 9am to 2pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm; and closed on Sundays and Holidays.