The 11th annual art trade show, PR11SM: The Rebirth, transformed Ugnayang La Salle (ULS) into a three-day space for creative exhibition. From December 4 to 6, the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) Multimedia Arts (MMA) program showcased the capstone works of its graduating class. Beyond a gallery setup, the event featured industry guest speakers, live performances, and installations that pushed the boundaries of digital and traditional media. 

The legacy of PRISM

PRISM continues to serve as a platform for emerging artists. Collaboration between faculty members and students fostered professional linkages that connected student creators with peers and industry mentors. Through the collective efforts of the graduating MMA students, PRISM continued to function not only as the culmination of their academic journey but also a transition into the professional world.

Anchored in this year’s theme of “rebirth,” artists worked across media ranging from film and photography to digital rendering. Several works returned to a guiding question: Why do we exist as artists?

 The fall: beginnings in the unrefined

Every artistic process begins with uncertainty—that raw, accidental impulse that compels us to create. In this year’s exhibit, the beginning was portrayed through works that felt deliberately unrefined and visceral. Canvases layered with thick, impulsive oil strokes stood alongside digital projections that flickered and glitched, mimicking a struggle for stability. One installation featured a lone figure with a face obscured by shards of broken glass, directing viewers toward fragmented self-reflection amid a circle of leering eyes.

This phase invited audiences to reconsider the fall as a necessary starting point. By framing descent as a beginning rather than an endpoint, PRISM emphasized experimentation as a foundation of creative growth.

 The rise: the courage to ascend

After the fall comes the ascent. This middle phase honored the courage required to step beyond one’s comfort zone. It represented the “in-between” stage of constant motion—refining techniques, navigating setbacks, and the gradual emergence of individual voice.

The exhibits portraying this phase were noticeably vibrant, with each piece capturing the energy of transformation. Photography pieces demonstrated control of light and composition, contrasting with the earlier rawness. Digital illustrations explored complex layering and textures, adding depth to their narratives. Mixed-media installations combined materials in unexpected ways, reflecting more calculated experimentation.

Flooded with light, these works illuminated the path from uncertainty toward a more expressive and confident identity.

The rebirth: meaning in the making

The final phase focused on maturity and continuity. Here, rebirth was defined not as a final destination but as the realization that the meaning of art lies in the continuous act of making. The pieces appeared deliberate and measured, shaped by accumulated experimentation and reflection.

This phase celebrated reinvention and art as a shared experience within the community. Rather than offering closure, it served as a call to action: to continue creating, sharing, and connecting. By cycling through uncertainty, refinement, and reinvention, the exhibit framed art as an evolving process rather than a finished product.

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Across its three-day run, PR11SM: The Rebirth reflected the journey each MMA student has taken. From the fall to the rise and into rebirth, the event stood as a testament to the resilience and conviction that drove these new artists to evolve. PRISM ultimately underscores that art does not merely occupy space—it continually reshapes both the creator and the community.