THE artworks of a Filipino-American artist shine along the dazzling Las Vegas lights in an exhibit at the seat of power of the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World.’
Loisse Ledres, a visual artist born in Cebu, stars in an ongoing showcase at Las Vegas City Hall running until March next year. Her exhibit is part of the ‘Windows on First’ program, referencing the three display windows on the east side of the building facing First Street, allocated to ‘provide artists a unique opportunity to expand their skill-sets and display their work in a public space.’ Ledres’ exhibit, titled See the Music All Around Us, takes inspiration from her love for music, cultivated from karaoke-filled fiestas and family reunions during her childhood.
‘Music was always around me growing up,’ said Ledres, who’s also a designer and an illustrator. ‘It wasn’t just entertainment, it was how we expressed joy, connection and belonging. [This series] captures all of that energy-a tribute to community, culture, and the creative pulse of Las Vegas.’
Ledres grew up in Talamban, Cebu City. After graduating from elementary school at age 11, she and her family migrated to the US. They first moved to a small town in North Carolina, then New Mexico, then New York, and, currently, Nevada.
For her presentation at Las Vegas City Hall, Ledres’ abstract series puts ‘a vibrant display of wood, paint and light as a dedication to music.’ Her installation aims to visualize how rhythm, lyrics, and melodies ‘support our instinctual desire to understand ourselves and our place in the world.’
‘I leaned into abstraction to reflect the undefinable impact music can have on us. I enjoy live music so much for that reason and wanted the art to feel like the flashes of color, shape and light that are left in our memory the day after a really great show,’ she said. ‘Music is a universal connector across generations, languages and beliefs.’
Ledres’ pieces take inspiration from concert posters from the 1970s and handmade magazines. She interprets these iconographies on wood carvings, layering them one by one, before splashing them with color. Her theater background and set-design experience are also reflected in her large-scale visual compositions.
‘With figures in motion, I sought See the Music All Around Us to capture the fleeting feeling of being surrounded by sound-remembering only flashes of light, laughter and movement from a night of celebration,’ Ledres said.
The artist considers her Las Vegas City Hall presentation as her last major project for the year. It was an undertaking that demanded a lot from her, but in the end the exhibit helped her overcome her self-doubt. Her friends reminded her that if something doesn’t scare her, then it’s not worth doing.
Ledres said she plans to visit the Philippines next year. She hopes to do an installation for her birthplace, Cebu City, particularly something for the Sinulog festival.
‘I would love to reflect the synchronicity of the Sinulog choreography-the vibrant detail of the costumes, and the way the city pauses to enjoy and celebrate something together,’ Ledres (www.geezloisse.com) said. ‘I want to reflect all of that in the artwork.’