Leandro V
Leandro V
Leandro V
LOCSIN
Name
CountryRegion
Category
Title
Leandro V. LOCSIN
Philippines
Arts and Culture
Architect
Area of Expertise
Art
Award Category
Award Year
1992
ESPAOL
Locsin's first work in 1955, was a church (ironically, his last work
was also a chapel, located in Malaybalay shown above), the
church of the Holy Sacrifice, at the University of the Philippines,
Manila (although originally designed for the Victorias Milling Co. in
Negros Occidental, Locsin's home town).
The idea was to make this complex the artistic Mecca of Asia, and
for that purpose it houses four theaters, a museum of
ethnography, galleries and a library of art and culture.
http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2012/01/locsin-modern-form-inphilippines.html
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contasted with simple forms, and spacious interiors. His peers have described him as
the Poet of Space for the way he articulated space using straightforward geometry.
Up to the time of his death, his body of works include 75 residences and 88 buildings,
including 11 churches/chapels, 23 public buildings, 48 commercial buildings,
six major hotels, and an airport terminal building. Aside from the five
structures at the CCP complex, other notable works are: the Philippine pavilion at the
World Expo in Osaka, Japan (1970); the original Ayala Museum (1974); some
buildings at the University of the Phils., Los Banos; Ninoy Aquino International
Airport; and the Church of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay,
Bukidnon.
Locsin placed the Philippines on the world map in 1969 with his most
recognizable work, the Cultural Center of the Philippines with its gentle sloping
curves giving way to an enormous box and a large lagoon in front, thus creating
the impression of suspension. But his largest and most spectacular work is the
Istana Nurul Iman (Palace of Religious Light), the palace of the Sultan of
Brunei. The palace has a total floor area of 200,000 sqm, a grand reception hall
accommodating 5,000, a throne room with a capacity of 2,000, and two mosques
crowned by a dome plated with 22-carat gold. Malayan and Islamic motifs, modern
lines, and the latest building technology blend in what has been hailed as the new
Versailles.
In 1959, Leandro Locsin was one of the recipients of the Ten Outstanding Young Men
(TOYM) Awardees for Architecture and in 1992, the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize.
His citation for the Fukuoka Asian Cultural Prize states: Mr. Locsins works
beautifully incorporate such traditional qualities with the openness and vastness of
modern architecture. His unique interpretation of architectural features such as
lattice and curved lines are eloquently expressed in his modern, Western form of art.
What lies behind this originality is his principle: to synthesize or to blend Western
and Eastern culture. Without this theme, the modern architecture of the West could not
have taken root within the existing Filipino architecture His private life
is characterized by continued commitment to other arts and culture. He is a fine
pianist, a deeply committed admirer of oriental art and the visual and performing
arts. When his multi-faceted artistic talent is fully exhibited in architecture, its details
display a well-calculated beauty of form, and its appearance reshapes the urban
landscape His phenomenal career is not only evidence of a natural wealth of
talent, but also a tribute to his Filipino mentors and to Filipino culture which
in its colorful variety has been a cradle of genius.
Indeed, significant and symbolic words for a Philippine National Artist hailed both
for advancing our culture and for leaving an astute and creative legacy.
http://pinoytimes.ca/2012/02/health-and-lifestyle/leandro-locsin-philippine-nationalartist-for-architecture/