Christmas artworks by Bellini (1501); Rigglemam (2015); Cosme (c. 2010)

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

"The Matriarch" (2010) by Niccolo Cosme, Philipines

RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Gregory & Ernest Disney-Britton

"The Matriarch" by Niccolo Cosme, Philipines

Whether or not you’re a believer, you’ve got to admit, there’s a profound spirit in this season, and we believe Filipino photographer Niccolo Cosme captures that spirit in his “The Matriarch.” While Renaissance artists depicted the holy family as white Europeans, today’s artists reflect the story through the lens of their own cultural surroundings. Niccolo Cosme depicts the moment in Luke 2:7 right after the miracle birth, and his Virgin Mary and Christ child are Filipino like himself. Cosme’s mother is draped in the straw of the manger, as well as the verdant green of the Philippines. His Christ child is wrapped in divine white. From all of us at the Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts, we wish you a very "Mary" Christmas!

Photographer Niccolo Cosme's cosmic connections

BUSINESS MIRROR
By Miss Charlize

In Photo: April Tanhueco

MANILA---When he was about to turn 8 years old, Niccolo Cosme was asked by his dad what he wanted for his birthday. He always see his dad carrying a camera and taking photos with his SLR , so Niccolo decided that he wanted a camera, too. As he turned professional years later, Niccolo began working with the top people in the fashion, showbiz and advertising industries. Niccolo is not only one of the country’s most sought-after high-fashion photographers, but he is also the most proactive when it comes to addressing social issues. With the ugly Marawi clash still raging in Mindanao, Niccolo’s activism was again ignited. [More]

14 Stations of the Cross of HIV/AIDS exhibit by Niccolo Cosme

MANILLA BULLETIN
By Jacky Lynne A. Oiga

Niccolo Cosme comes out with a collaborative exhibit in celebration of World AIDS Day, Prejudice, Drug Use. Image by Pinggot Zulueta

PHILLIPINES---Betrayal. Stigma. Denial. These are just three of the harsh realities people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) struggle with every day. These very emotions and realities are depicted in the context of the 14 Stations of the Cross in Niccolo Cosme’s collaborative exhibit, “XIV,” which opened at the Pineapple Lab in Makati last Thursday, Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. Many of the pieces were painted with HIV-positive blood “to force viewers to confront their prejudices,” according to Niccolo. [link]

Monday's "Madonna & Child" by Filipino Photographer Niccolo Cosme

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"The Matriarch" by Niccolo Cosme

Christians honor the mother of Jesus, but Muslims consider Mary the most righteous woman in the Islamic tradition. She is mentioned more in the Holy Quran than in the entire New Testament of the Christian sacred text. "Muslim tradition records a hadith," described in Wikipedia, "which states that the only children born without the "touch of Satan," were Mary and Jesus." As we look ahead to "Mother's Day" we celebrate righteous women with the acquisition of "The Matriarch" (above) by Niccolo Cosme, an A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist which makes it Monday's Madonna & Child.

A&O INSPIRE ME! ARTIST, Niccolo Cosme Solo Exhibition in NYC Through January 2014

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

"San Sebastian" by Niccolo Cosme

NEW YORK---Opening this evening "The Altar Boy: Niccolo Cosme’s Solo Exhibition" Tally Beck Contemporary will present the first solo gallery exhibition in New York for Filipino photographer Niccolo Cosme. The show will feature approximately 13 large-scale personification photographs by this 2012 INSPIRE ME! Artist. For more information on the exhibition, click here. At the opening reception this evening, Wednesday, November 20, we will be auctioning artwork by Filipino artists Niccolo Cosme and Lenore Lim with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross’s Typhoon Appeal. The reception will take place from 6 pm to 9 pm with the auction at 7:30 pm. For more information on the opening reception and charity auction, click here.

Tally Becks Contemporary: "The Altar Boy: Niccolo Cosme’s Solo Exhibition," (Nov. 20-January); 42 Rivington St., NYC, tallybeckcontemporary.com

INSPIRE ME! Niccolo Cosme's New Series is Coming to America

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

"Aspiration 1/5" with Jonathan Mullally

PHILLIPINES---Filipino conceptual photographer, Niccolo Cosme and Alpha Omega Arts' Artist of Month for January 2013, for returns to the USA this fall with his new series "Monologues, Soliloquies & Tributes". The traveling exhibition in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS highlights his unique integration of religious iconography with the message that "your aspirations can set you free, create positive change, inspire!" The opening dates are August 24th in NYC; September 5th in San Francisco; and September 14th in Los Angeles. Looking for more details? Cosme responded with a smile, "I'll post details very soon!"

Conteptual Masterpieces Moving Believers Forward by Niccolo Cosme

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Buddha" Quito Trenas / MUA Etine Bautista / Styling Lhenvil Paneda

PHILIPPINES---The speed of change with social media is exciting, especially if you are interested in sharing religious art, and especially for conceptual photographer Niccolo Cosme. This past week he posted a "Buddha" image along with the Tweet: "Buddha bless you.... Thoughtlessness in a world of commercialism." Later he Instagramed: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. @imrufamaequinto as a Hindu deity infused with Marian symbols...." linked to another work from the same series. Because Cosme is never at rest, he also created his first videogram this past week, where viewers see the shadow of cross hanging in his  car window, proving once again that he travels with G-D and is always moving forward.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Niccolo Cosme’s Photo Exhibit “Traversing Across The Universe”

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

PHILIPPINES---Inspiring artist Niccolo Cosme’s photo exhibit “Traversing Across The Universe” was presented for display and sale on May 30, 2013 in Manila. Cosme, an international master of conceptual photography uses his unique gifts to explore the expanse of the spiritual unknown and the unexpected, while also supporting human rights causes such as the fight against HIV and AIDS. In January of this year, Niccolo Cosme was named A&O ARTIST OF MONTH.

Sistine Chapel Reinterpretation of "Creation of Adam" Inspired by Filipino Funny Man

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

PHILIPPINES---If God created Man in his own image, why don't artists make Adam look like God? Recently, Niccolo Cosme explored that question in a new work. "This guy, named Ramon Bautista is a famous personality here in the Philippines (TV, Movie, online)," said Cosme.

Nicollo Cosme's 7 Sorrows of Mary: Violence and Aggression

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Mater Dolorosa 2013 Series by Nicollo Cosme.
Model: Sarah Jane Abad; Make Up: Kay Arias

With yesterday's news of a new Pope, and specifically the election of one from South America who choose to be named "Saint Francis" came also a renewal of hope for change around the world. Filipino artist Nicollo Cosme is one of those agents of change who yesterday tweeted in celebration of the selection of the new pope with: "Habemus Papam!!!!!" and retweeted the first message from the new pope @Pontifex. It also  significant because it all happened on the same day that Cosme shared and began seeking feedback to a new series of works rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition:

Listen to Niccolo Cosme and His Crown of Thorns

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Niccolo Cosme in a crown of thorns

On his Facebook page, Niccolo Cosme has posted an image of himself wearing a crown of thorns in support of Carlos Celdran and all those who might "Offend Religious Feelings". I believe "listening" is at the core of the current worldwide debate about "offending religious feelings", because in crowning Jesus, the soldiers of ancient Rome not only mocked him but made a conscious decision not to listen to his message of hope. I find hope in the crown of thorns because it is a reminder of the importance of listening in a time when too many people fear listening. Listening is important in life and is crucial to making social relationships work. So many people of faith in America, India, Philippines, Russia, and the Islamic world talk about prayer, reading scripture, and serving God; but not a lot of these same Believers talk about listening to God in actions and voices of those with whom they disagree. "Believing" should not mean an unwillingness to listen to those with a different perspective. I am grateful for Niccolo Cosme's crown of thorns. It's a reminder to me that it's time we listened.

"Alpha and Omega" By Photographer Nicollo Cosme

The COSMENAUT

By Nicollo Cosme

PHILIPPINES---"Alpha and Omega, alpha (α or Α) and omega (ω or Ω), are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet and are an appellation of Christ or of God in the Book of Revelation. These couple of letters are used as Christian symbols, and are often combined with the Cross, Chi-rho, or other Christian symbols." (From Wikipedia). This is one of my first attempts to do a minimalist approach, I usually work with backgrounds but thought this image is powerful enough to stand on its own. Model: Carlito Floro Rosadino Jr. [link]

RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

In preparation for 2013 and this Epiphany Sunday, we summarized our journeys of 2012 for our readers, and for ourselves. What we discovered was both fun and unexpected. We looked at our audiences from around the world; argued about favorite works of art and which censorship stories were the worst. We totalled-up the most popular posts on the blogsite and we solicited input into our Best Movie's of 2012 list (yet to come). As you know, I like art that's both newsworthy and inspirational, and that's why "Mater Dolorosa" (above) by Niccolo Cosme is my NEWS OF WEEK.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Niccolo Cosme

"My fascination with christian iconography 
started very early. I found myself drawn to the image of the 
Mater Dolorosa, a mother in tears...."

~ NICCOLO COSME

By Ernest Disney-Britton

I am absolutely nuts about this artist! I follow him on Twitter (You should too). I even sent a board member to his NYC show this past August. His conceptual photograph, "The Matriarch" has been my favorite Christmas image for two years running, and his creative talent is overshadowed only by his welcoming spirit and giving personality. Like me, he's also an activist who uses Religious Art to fight injustice and to inspire compassion. Following his art opening in NYC of "Resplendor," one reviewer described it as "a mass-like feel" and following his San Francisco opening another wrote of transforming pain. Since attending his exhibition, our board member, Billy Innabnit has been after me to feature him as an A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month. I am honored to introduce you to Filipino conceptual photographer Niccolo Cosme.

Blessed Christmas | "The Matriarch" by Niccolo Cosme

ALPHA OMEGA ARTISTS

"The Matriarch" by Niccolo Cosme

Niccolo Cosme's Christian Eroticism of the Oppressed

THE COSMENAUT | BLOG
By Niccolo Cosme

My works are meant to provoke, it’s supposed to be sensual, arousing… in short, not boring LOL! I also take a lot of inspiration from Christian icons (I’m sure many of you know that by now) and most of the dramatic biblical tableaux’s by great artists are of naked saints or biblical figures, Christ for one is crucified naked on the cross, until the church probably asked the artists to cover his gloriousness with a piece of…cloth. Today I show to the world a piece I’ve been working on for quite some time, the image of San Sebastian. Sebastian is a symbol of a young activist who fought for what he believed in and stood up against his oppressors. [link]

A Group of Colored "Saints" at Museum of Modern Art

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

  "Figurengruppe (Group of Figures)" 2006–08 (fabricated 2010–11)
By Katharina Fritsch. Image via Instagram by Niccolo Cosme

NEW YORK --- Last week, photographer Niccolo Cosme tweeted: "Colored saints and statues at the MOMA, NYC @ Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)" and we all got excited about this colorful assortment of Saints in Manhattan. The grouping, "Figurengruppe (Group of Figures)", by contemporary German artist Katharina Fritsch (b. 1956) made its debut in the MOMA Sculpture Garden last summer. Conceived in 2006–08, the work features nine life-size sculptures of, among other figures, St. Michael, a Madonna, a giant, and a snake, all rendered in precise detail and finished in bold colors. Religious symbolism and references to mythology abound. More of Katharina's playfully sacred sculptures are currently on view in the Midwest at the Art Institute of Chicago through November.

A&O Advisory Member Attends NYC Exhibition Opening

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest Disney-Britton

Representing the National Advisory Board for The Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts, Billy Innabnit attended Niccolo Cosme's August 2012 exhibition opening in NYC at Manhattan's Phillipine Center. The exhibition, "Resplendor: The Blinding Light" featured twenty works by the Filipino conceptual artist who uses Christian iconography to spur action in the fight to eradicate AIDS/HIV.

“The Trials” by Niccolo Cosme's “Resplendor: The Blinding Light”

IN THE THEATER OF ONE WORLD
By Randy Gener

“The Trials” (“Pagsubok”) by Niccolo Cosme

NEW YORK--- “The Trials” — (or “Pagsubok”) in which two men locked arm-to-arm with their backs against each other — glamorizes the strain and hardship of being thy brother’s keeper. [Niccolo] Cosme says it was inspired by St. Camillus de Lelis, the patron saint of the sick, as well as of people who provide health care. He dedicates “The Trials” to the brothers and priests of St. Camillus, those who have devoted their lives to people living with HIV and AIDS in the Philippines and around the world. “I am greatly inspired by the pain and the sorrow of Christian iconography,” Cosme says. [link]