Third Space: A Multi-Media Jamming Dive
by Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez
MEGA Magazine
March 1998

A decade or two back, there was the Pinaglabanan Gallery of the Arellanos and Artlab of the Syjucos. These and a number of small cafes dotting the city were the places to go to for culture at the fringes. Today, younger kindred spirits attempt to fill the void created by the demise of these venues with Third Space. Barely three months old, Third Space is run by multi-media artists Yason Banal, and volunteers Ringo Bunoan and Katya Guerrero, among others. Coming into the scene at the beginning of the year with a package of workshop offerings ranging from writing, art studies, photography, and painting to experimental media, this gallery-cum-learning center had its auspicious launch last Valentine's day. In an event called Katakata, Banal and his cohorts sought to retell the love story of Kidlat Tahimik and Dama de Noche, with a meshing of theater, film, installation, and performance employing graduating workshoppers as well as opening night guests.

Housed in an externally unassuming structure of 10 spaces divided into exhibition and studio areas, Third Space has attracted its share of curious walk-ins. Plans are afoot for an artists-in-residence scheme, and a lecture series for theorists, practitioners and enthusiasts. With its emphasis on interaction and collaboration, Third Space hopes to chip at the art-in-the-mall mindset and reestablish ties between art and home.