Going To and Fro: Lessons From the Industry From Mr. Norman Sotero Aguilar
A Concept Artist of 15 years, Mr. Norman Sotero Aguilar had gone through the hoops around the industry, picking up skills and life/professional lessons along the way. Sitting down with Norman in a usual Philippine afternoon had revealed inclinations and worldviews that most artists articulate when they are given the venue to talk. Mr. Aguilar may have a tinge of pessimism about him, but with the way the Philippine industry treats serious artists such as him, you couldn’t exactly blame him.
Xeno Creatives (XC): How did you exactly get into the business of producing Concept Art? Is this something that you really dreamed of doing – an inclination?
Norman Sotero Aguilar (NSA): Actually ang first love ko talaga Comics. Tapos na-realize ko yung market ng comics ‘di na siya katulad nung 90s. Then after a few years, hindi na rin naka-recover yung comics. That was then I discovered 3D.
He points out that he got started with the art since childhood. Seeing his cousin draw mech figures when they were still little piqued his interest. He even went far as to say that he thought he’d be a Mechanical Engineer when he grows up.
NSA: At first nagkaroon talaga ako ng interes sa mechanical e. Then after that na-meet ko yung mga friends ko sa highschool. Dun ako nagkaroon ng hilig sa comics. Tapos nagsimula na kong maglaro sa organic. Dun talaga nagsimula (ang interes ko) sa Comics.
XC: Does being commissioned to do concept designs give you the liberty to your own creativity/ideas?
NSA: I am working on designs but the concepts are not mine that is why I don’t really have experience with concept designs that I can call mine.
XC: If that’s the case, do we have any, siguro from your personal portfolio that you consider to be your favorite pieces?
NSA: Actually, personally, I am not satisfied with my body of work. MInsan, there are times na kapag nakikita ko ang portfolio ko, gusto ko silang i-delete lahat. Yun yung criticism sa akin dati, na kapag hindi ko nagugustuhan yung designs ko, ‘di ko na siya ini-improve. Iniiwan ko na siya to start anew. Para sa akin kasi, mahirap na i-correct ang mga gawa na hindi ko gusto. Personally lang yun of course.
XC: Have you tried your hands into other media? If hindi pa, what could it be?
NSA: Traditional sculpture; working with clay. Gusto kong mag-venture dun kaso mahirap dahil mahal yung materials.
XC: If you’re not doing what you’re doing right now, what could you be specializing in?
NSA: Siguro talagang magiging mechanical Engineer ako dahilsa talagang may fascination ako sa machines. Dun ako talagang na-attract before.
XC: Would you like to get your hands into developing concepts for video games?
NSA: Actually yun talaga ang passion ko e. Di lang ako nabigyan ng chance.
Mr. Aguilar recounts a not-so pleasant experience with a known game development studio here in Manila; a studio that refused him at first base. Upon applying, he had been readily questioned as why he had the balls to even think of applying. They had not even bother to look at his portfolio. Suffice it to say, that shut the door for him even before he can even knock.
XC: Do you see yourself as someone contributing to the Philippine art scene?
Hindi ko talaga nakikita ang sarili ko bilang tagapag-ambag. What I really like doing is working with others who have ideas. I want to be someone who manifests others’ brilliant ideas. I think that is a contribution in itself.
Mr. Aguilar maintains that while the industry in the Philippines does little to compel artists like him to innovate further as it denies them greater venue, he would definitely make art further.
Upon observation, Mr. Aguilar is someone who does not just settle for the mediocre and the mundane. He looks at his works as something that can be more, something that can be reinvented. Despite the many bends along his road, Mr. Aguilar is a true artist, one who needs to be given due attention.
