Written by James Tana for CNN Philippines Life Manila-based photographers Jonathan Baldonado and E.S.L. Chen collaborate for their residency at Orange Project in Bacolod in Negros Island. “E.S.L. and I are displaying series of works taken around Negros during our residency. We have initially set out to ascertain the feasibility of opening a community darkroom. With the embracing welcome of Orange Project, we are now collaborating in opening a community darkroom in the Art District,” stated Baldonado in the Art Fair Philippines website. “Being immersed in the Art District has allowed me to develop relationships and collaborations with Negros artists. This has encouraged me to expand my perspective.” Baldonado works for Silver art print studio which is responsible for the fundraising effort “Shelter Fund” that aimed to provide assistance to photographers and artists during the pandemic. Baldonado, through the studio, also produced the prints of the works of Arturo Luz. He is also a member of the Fotomoto PH Team, a community of photographers. Chen, on one hand, describes that traveling informs how he perceives himself. His body of work includes portraits with focus on women subjects and photos that capture scenes in Manila and Cutud in Pampanga. “I find meaning in documenting my constant desire to move, both physically and mentally. When my work is at its most honest, you might begin to see shadows where there are none. Some artists pride themselves in knowing exactly how an image or a work of art was created. I am the opposite. I like it when I lose myself in the moment,” he describes his practice as posted on his website. Both artists recall that significant part of their residency is informed by their exposure to the environment and lifestyle in the Art District as well as their encounters with Negros artists, hence the idea to collaborate and work on a community darkroom. “Seeing each other face to face and talking, conversing gradually, there’s a certain power to that… What we’re most excited about right now is that we’re involved in the Orange Project to build a community dark room and probably will morph into something else,” shares Chen. during the artists’ talk of the six participants held last Feb. 17.