A Contemporary Pira

Andrew · 20th May 2007, 02:10 AM

Wow. That's really fantastic, Antonio. My congratulations to you for the design and to Paolo for the execution.

Antonio Cejunior · 20th May 2007, 02:23 AM

Hi Andrew,

Most kind of you my friend

I have notified Paolo as he is the one to be applauded. It was such a wonderful partnership.

Meantime check your PM for something else.

P.Abrera · 21st May 2007, 10:02 AM

Gentelmen,

I just wanted to thank you for your kind words.

It was most kind of Antonio to share our unusual project here as well, and it was certainly a pleasure to work on.

I shared a brief backgrounder on another forum, I hope you dont mind if I paste it here just to contextualize the spirit of the piece:

As Antonio mentioned, our approach and intent was primarily sculptural, and while Antonio's design drew inspiration from older ethnic forms, the idea was not to get overly bogged down in trying to make an academic study of the significance of the totemic forms and thier symbolisms, but to translate certain ethnic forms and treatments into interesting sculptural elements devoid of thier spiritual significance so as not to blindly parrot what we dont understand or are culturally removed from. Rather than setting out to make a historical replica, instead, we tried to stay connected to the cultural tradition by sticking to some old-school techniques while creating something new. It's mostly hand-work in an open fire, laminating steel with softer iron, and etching with "calamansi" juice (a local type of lime) but not feeling too tied to sticking to what would be considered historically correct. It's something new but nods in approval to what came before

I look forward to sharing more in the future. Thanks

Best,

P. Abrera

Antonio Cejunior · 28th May 2007, 08:56 AM

Hi folks,

Sorry but I've been terribly busy.
Anyway the Pira has arrived and is absolutely awesome!!!

I had a quick picture taken to share with you all.

No pose and I'm not a muscle builder. Just made sure my both hands were not disturbing the Pira.

Wonderful contemporary masterpiece.

Antonio Cejunior · 20th June 2007, 04:39 AM

Folks,

Here are some more pics of the Pira

beautiful shape and flow

Hand textured-pitted

The selective san mai layer

more here

Paolo Abrera is a most fantastic and intelligent smith working in the Philippines. Hope you folks enjoy

Ferguson · 20th June 2007, 09:58 AM

Beautiful work.

Steve

Antonio Cejunior · 20th June 2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferguson

Beautiful work.

Steve

Thank you on behalf of Paolo Abrera

KuKulzA28 · 17th August 2009, 05:10 AM

in light of Piras...

wilked aka Khun Deng · 17th August 2009, 06:07 AM

Beautiful piece my friend - quality exudes from it!

Makes me think that as we examine some of the older blades of varying styles that don't quite fit into regional standards - we should always remember that there are those of us now, as there must have been back then, that like our own touch on traditional designs.

Beautifully executed!

Dan

28th May 2007, 08:56 AM	#4
Antonio Cejunior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 294	Pira in hand Hi folks, Sorry but I've been terribly busy. Anyway the Pira has arrived and is absolutely awesome!!! I had a quick picture taken to share with you all. No pose and I'm not a muscle builder. Just made sure my both hands were not disturbing the Pira. Wonderful contemporary masterpiece.

20th June 2007, 04:39 AM	#5
Antonio Cejunior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 294	Some more pics Folks, Here are some more pics of the Pira beautiful shape and flow Hand textured-pitted The selective san mai layer more here Paolo Abrera is a most fantastic and intelligent smith working in the Philippines. Hope you folks enjoy

20th May 2007, 02:10 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Wow. That's really fantastic, Antonio. My congratulations to you for the design and to Paolo for the execution.

20th May 2007, 02:23 AM	#2
Antonio Cejunior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 294	Hi Andrew, Most kind of you my friend I have notified Paolo as he is the one to be applauded. It was such a wonderful partnership. Meantime check your PM for something else.

21st May 2007, 10:02 AM	#3
P.Abrera Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 20	Gentelmen, I just wanted to thank you for your kind words. It was most kind of Antonio to share our unusual project here as well, and it was certainly a pleasure to work on. I shared a brief backgrounder on another forum, I hope you dont mind if I paste it here just to contextualize the spirit of the piece: As Antonio mentioned, our approach and intent was primarily sculptural, and while Antonio's design drew inspiration from older ethnic forms, the idea was not to get overly bogged down in trying to make an academic study of the significance of the totemic forms and thier symbolisms, but to translate certain ethnic forms and treatments into interesting sculptural elements devoid of thier spiritual significance so as not to blindly parrot what we dont understand or are culturally removed from. Rather than setting out to make a historical replica, instead, we tried to stay connected to the cultural tradition by sticking to some old-school techniques while creating something new. It's mostly hand-work in an open fire, laminating steel with softer iron, and etching with "calamansi" juice (a local type of lime) but not feeling too tied to sticking to what would be considered historically correct. It's something new but nods in approval to what came before I look forward to sharing more in the future. Thanks Best, P. Abrera

20th June 2007, 09:58 AM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Beautiful work. Steve

17th August 2009, 05:10 AM	#8
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	in light of Piras...

17th August 2009, 06:07 AM	#9
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Beautiful piece my friend - quality exudes from it! Makes me think that as we examine some of the older blades of varying styles that don't quite fit into regional standards - we should always remember that there are those of us now, as there must have been back then, that like our own touch on traditional designs. Beautifully executed! Dan