From the earliest times, human beings have already possessed the ability to describe the things around them, grasp the beauty in their surroundings, and capture them in their minds’ eyes. Even with their primitive understanding of what’s happening around them, the concept of art has probably existed; even if the word may not have.

Through the years, art has, become a part of life. It has been interwoven into various aspects of people’s lives. It transcends through the different aspects of living – from medicine to technology, from furniture to clothes.

More than just a manifestation of culture, art has also become an economic tool. We create not just an aesthetically-pleasing magnum opus but also functional masterpieces. Despite being undervalued, art has played a big part in the progress of a nation, and the transformation of the world for the better.

Art – in its various disciplines, from dance to music, theater, visual arts, and film – is a unique way of expressing and capturing emotions. It explores the values and ideas as well as the different cultures and traditions, which leads to understanding and enhancing the people’s lives and the world they live in.

The 3rd Bagasbas Beach International Eco-arts Festival explored the premise that art is a tool for development by engaging the different communities in Daet, Camarines Norte and teaching them about art and how it can enhance their lives.

“Instead of simply considering the public as audience, the [festival] has even sustained a curatorial brief that both engages and values the dynamic participation of the community in art making, so that artists and all others involved in the exercise are able to take away something – skills, insights, ideas for development – from the experience,” says Prof. Cora Alvina who curated the installation art exhibit of seven master artists from different countries.

Artist Chung Ho Chak, from Hongkong-China, initially wanted to illustrate the relationship between two countries, but after spending time with his host community, Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation and Daet, he changed his course and epitomized the simple yet colorful life of the people through his “Heart” artwork.

Norwegian artist Stuart Frost was amazed with the abundance of natural materials that can be found in Daet, “materials that I have yet to explore and work with in the future,” as he puts it. He believed that simply using bamboo and other indigenous materials, the people of Daet can generate renewable energy from the wind, “generate power in places where there is no access.” He showcased this in “Natural Rotation.”

Artist Emmanuel Herbulot of France took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s book “De Divina Proportione,” to which he named his artworks after. It celebrated shapes and other geometrical theories.

Filipino artist Irma Lacorte taught her host community Brgy. Mangcamagong in Basud how to make puso, a native food which consists of rice wrapped in coconut leaves. She used the puso to create her artwork “Taub-Hubas” which illustrated the changes of the tide, from low to high tide.

With her small frame, no one expected that artist Mia Orsag of Croatia could create a three meter high “Lighthouse.” But she did, with the help of Brgy. Borabod residents.

Israeli artist Tanya Preminger explored the meaning of life in “Air Loop.” She explained that her artwork is about the circle of life, a person’s journey through life. The up-slope means the early years in a man’s life. The loop represented the pinnacle, while the down-slope showed the end of the journey.

American artist Matthew Slaats got the idea for his masterpiece from his host community, Brgy. Bulhao in Labo. “A parallel conversation has been taking place anywhere in the world. Each person values what he is and who he is. You give meaning to art depend on your experiences. For these people, kites and hoops mean something to them. It has the concept of low versus high, of height and fear.” He captured the essence in his “FreeSpace” installation.

As the sun colors the flowers, art placed a tint into one’s life. Art has an enormous influence. It touches everyone for it is everywhere. As Marc Chagall puts it, “Greet art picks where nature ends.”