Bembol dela Cruz focuses on a different kind of landscape in “Aerial Landscape.” This time, he lets history, the Second World War in particular, to speak for itself and perhaps to foretell how technology can also be used to kill and destroy.
Dela Cruz says he wanted to let people remember that not all landscapes are traditionally peaceful or serene. That is why he chose battlegrounds and aerial scenes of de la Cruz uses model airplane kits against the backdrop of how destructive they can be. “When we think of planes, we usually associate it with transportation, and not usually in carrying out wars.” Such curiosity drove dela Cruz to read up on the history of planes and even references the Bible (Psalm 144) on strength amid war. He wonders if such damage can be done 60 years ago, what more today or in the near future with the technology that is available. To reflect the somber atmosphere, dela Cruz sticks with semi-black-and-white backgrounds, while taking note of the details of the fighter plane models he uses and the history behind them.
As much as he enjoys studying such details and mixing it up with painterly, diffused backgrounds, he also wants to keep his audience aware about the message of his works, such as the consequences of human aggression or human error. Dela Cruz believes it is through these paintings where he can convey such messages best.
Dela Cruz studied painting at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.
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