[CATALOG] OAAW Paracosm

proudly presents
I V A N C O
P A R A C O S M
09 January to 16 March 2024
Gallery C l Level 3, Conrad Manila

P a r a c o s m
Conrad Manila proudly unveils the 28th edition of its highlyacclaimed
“Of Art and Wine” exhibition series at Gallery C with a
solo show by the internationally renowned sculptor Ivan Co.
The hotel aims to kick off the year remarkably strong with this unique
and marvellous roster of artworks, as it strengthens and elevates its
commitment to providing its patrons with touches of luxury and
splendor in 2024. These are best exemplified in Ivan Co’s artistic
mastery, which has brought pride to the country.
Of Art and Wine: Paracosm will be on exhibit from January 9 to
March 16, 2024. The sculptures are available individually for
purchase. For more information, please contact Conrad Manila at
+632 8833 9999; Ivan Co at +63917 179 5821; or email
Ruston.Dongaol@ConradHotels.com.
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I v a n C o
P a r a c o s m
P a r a c o s m
PARACOSM is a term used to describe a complex and richly detailed
imaginary world created over the span of a number of years. The creator of
paracosm has a deeply felt relationship with this subjective universe, which
may incorporate real-world or imaginary characters and conventions.
To open its 2024 Of Art and Wine Series, Conrad Manila is proud to
present paracosmic artist IVAN CO in a solo exhibition at Gallery C. Using
semi-precious gems and metals as materials and employing gravity and
balance to create kinetic sculptures that mesmerize viewers, Ivan Co’s ten
alluring sculpture pieces conjure grandeur, elegance and wisdom, and
evoke serenity and peace for those watching these pieces move.
The artist elucidates, “All of human creation and concepts has been born
in part from the depths of human imagination, molded into being through
creativity and ingenuity. Imagination is arguably the most powerful and
influential aspect of our consciousness. These swiveling pieces came from
that innate calling to think, explore and create outside the limits of what
the eyes can see. As I have created and forged complex worlds in intricate
detail, I found moments of solace and respite from reality. I invite you to
do the same -- to enter and peer into a new world and find your path to
paracosm – as therein lies your grandest version and your greatest power.”
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BEJEWELLED ART : A BALANCING ACT
By: ROBERT JOBSON, Royal Biographer of the British Monarchy
To create art that immerses the soul has always been my goal,” says Philippine-based artist and
jeweller Ivan Co. “We are currently at war with distractions and I want my art to help people
relearn how to focus. This intention and its proper execution, I believe, brings art to a higher
plane.” These are bejewelled works of wonder, made of hand-wrought precious metals and
semiprecious stones, which swing to their own beat. With scientific precision – using
pendulums, axles and intricate balancing points – each piece is a moving sculpture that rocks
and swivels to mesmerising effect.
On view at The Conrad Manila as part of its Art and Wine series is Ivan Co’s “Paracosm.”
Paracosm is a term used to describe a complex and richly detailed imaginary world created
over the span of a number of years. These latest works gives us a peek into the paracosmic
artist’s belief that all of human creation and concepts has been born in part from the depths of
human imagination, moulded into being through creativity and ingenuity. Imagination is Co’s
most powerful and influential aspect of consciousness. Through his swivelling pieces, we see
that they’re created from the artist’s innate calling to think, explore and create outside the
limits of what his eyes can see. He has created and forged complex worlds in intricate detail
where one can find moments of solace and respite from reality.
Take Ivan’s Fenestra, a wall-hanging sculpture composed of concentric shapes with pendulums
that oscillate at different speeds to draw the audience in a different world. Intended to be a
gateway to an unknown world that only the mind can create, it invites its audience to free the
mind from its limits and peer into its most creative aspects. Then there is Orbis, a spherical
sculpture that features a series of concentric wheels that rotate at different speeds, to
appealingly disorientating effect. These are ornate, ingenious, mobile creations, involving both
art and craftsmanship; natural gems are used as weights, their pendulum action deeply
engrossing. “In a sense, they are collaborations with nature, too,” Co explains, as the effect of
gravity is key in their making and operation. “Every piece is one of a kind. Whether sapphire, or
tourmaline, I weigh each gem to create the perfect balance for a certain movement,” he says.
Having a stress-relieving quality, Co’s sculptures reflect the pushes and pulls and tensions of
everyday life, their elegant movement has a calming and hypnotic effect on the viewer. Energy
fields are balanced and audiences are drawn in by their trance-like qualities and exquisite
workmanship. “I want my pieces to provide an escape, as they do for me,” he says. “I stay with
a piece for an hour; it helps open the mind. I find this in my work: sometimes my hands just
move of their own accord when I am creating.”
In today’s uncertain times, the demand for Co’s work has continued to rise as he enjoys success
in a global scale. Take his Rotundum series, each with moving sceptres that flows elegantly,
creating a paradigm of serene mobility that is undisturbed by global strife or mental stress. To
move rhythmically with the tempo and melody of life is in itself a balancing act. And the artist
reminds us of that majestically through his distinct bejewelled art.

Ivan Co
Born in 1984, Ivan Co started his artistic journey in the jewelry
industry at an early age when he was exposed to his
grandfather’s pearl farm in Palawan and his father’s jewelry
business. He finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia
Arts at the DLSU College of Saint Benilde before starting a career
as a fine jewelry designer in Hoseki Jewelry Art. While working in
the family business handling operations and design, Ivan was
awarded a full scholarship in 2006 at the GIA Gemological
Institute of America Hong Kong for his winning design in the
International Jewelry Design Competition organized by the South
Sea Pearl Consortium.
In 2014 he started his own business, Ornamento Jewellery, crafting statement jewelry pieces
that later on led to a stronger need for a bigger platform for creative expression. This need
steered Ivan into living in a modern-day temple for a year, seeking self-discovery and solace.
His days of isolation and deep reflection catalyzed his decision to finally embrace his artistic
nature fully, and begin a career in fine arts through sculpture-making. His hands found their
way to create pieces that transcend the limitations of wearability.
With his decades of experience in metallurgy and jewelry-making, he started to build intricate
and ornate sculptures in 2018. He translated his deep connection with the life force and energy
into moving pendulums using semi-precious gems set in aurichalcum, a special metal alloy that
the artist forged himself. Ivan spends thousands of hours creating elaborate art infused with an
array of emotions and revelations, making each piece one of one. He then joined multiple
group shows and held solo exhibits locally and internationally in Asia, Europe and North
America.
In 2022, he was the only Filipino invited to be featured in The Official Platinum Jubilee Edition
book to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. The exclusive commemorative book was
launched in London in October 2022, where Ivan’s artworks were exhibited alongside royaltyfavored
brands such as Bovet, Breguet and Lladró.
Ivan continues to evolve as an artist by focusing on innovation and strives to inspire his viewers
to pursue higher ideals for a more purposeful and awakened existence. He is currently working
on ‘never been seen before’ artworks for his upcoming international shows and is expanding
his art’s presence globally.
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P a r a c o s m
ORBIS “ALTUM LUMINA”
2022
50 x 42 x 42 cm
PHP 2,200,000
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Amethyst, Aventurine, Mystic Topaz,
Lemon Quartz, Crystal Quartz, Rose Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz,
Yellow Calcite, Opal, Malachite and Pearls on hand-poured resin
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ROTUNDUM “MONOCULARIS”
2021
72 x 28 x 28 cm
PHP 1,700,000
P a r a c o s m
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Obsidian, Garnet, Sandstone,
Moonstone, Onyx, Clear Quartz, Agate and Pearls on hand-poured resin
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P a r a c o s m
ARCA “AERARIUM”
2023
46.5 x 44 x 28.5 cm
PHP 2,200,000
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Green Gold, Amethyst, Black Onyx, Rose
Quartz, Clear Quartz, Agate and Pearls on hand-poured resin
10

PERSONA “ANIMAM MALAM”
2019
50 x 28 x 28 cm
PHP 1,300,000
P a r a c o s m
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Amethyst, Jade, Tiger’s Eye, Onyx, Rose
Quartz, Kyanite, Carnelian, Agate and Pearls on hand-poured resin
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P a r a c o s m
HEADS OR TAILS
2023
80 x 50 x 50 cm
PHP 2,600,000
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Topaz,
Amethyst, Agate and Clear Quartz on solid Acacia
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FENESTRA “ADVENTUS VICIS”
2022
72 x 72 cm
PHP 3,100,000
P a r a c o s m
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Emerald, Labradorite, Green Gold, Jade,
Onyx, Clear Quartz and Agate on solid Acacia
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P a r a c o s m
FENESTRA “ORIENTIS VENTUS”
2023
72 x 72 cm
PHP 3,100,000
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Citrine, Green Onyx, Amethyst, Sunstone, Smoky
Quartz, Jade, Aventurine, Carnelian, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Cherry
Quartz, Jasper and Pearls on hand-poured resin and solid Mahogany frame
14

FENESTRA “VIS PAPILIONIS”
2021
72 x 72 cm
PHP 2,400,000
P a r a c o s m
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Green Amethyst, Lemon Topaz,
Labradorite, Green Onyx, Blue Topaz, Prehnite, Garnet, Clear Quartz,
Agate and Pearls on hand-poured resin and solid Mahogany frame
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P a r a c o s m
ORBIS “AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT”
2021
47 x 28 x 28 cm
Artwork not for sale
Reimagined *Aurichalcum with Sapphire, Green Onyx, Amethyst, Lapis
Lazuli, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Calcite, Agate and Pearls on
hand-poured resin
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THE LABYRINTHIAN
2023
122 X 77 X 77 cm
Artwork not for sale
P a r a c o s m
Brass, Golden Healer Quartz, Sunstone Obsidian, Glass spheres, Black
Onyx and Pearls on hand-poured resin and solid Acacia
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Published 2024 by Conrad Manila
All rights reserved @ 2024
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and
retrieval system, without prior permission inwriting from the publisher and/or artists.

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