From gallery exhibits to lectures and storybook readings and other arts-related events, ManilArt 2011 will offer art enthusiasts and the rest of the public a fuller art experience Aug. 25-27 at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Aside from the conceptual exhibition of the 24 participating galleries, the biggest art fair in the country will hold lectures on the arts.
Delivering the lectures are Gigo Alampay, executive director of the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas); and Oscar Campomanes, professor at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School and Ateneo de Manila University.
Alampay will tackle “How We Turn Paintings into Bicycles: Lessons in Art, Law, and the Internet,” on Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. Campomanes will discuss “Semiotics in Visual Art” on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.
Poet Vim Nadera will give a talk about Jose Rizal, “Visuals on Rizal Today,” on Aug. 27, 2 p.m.
Art enthusiasts will have a chance to learn about basic drawing through a lecture from Artist in Residence, Inc. founders Jojo Ballo, Cathy Lasam and Jill Arwen Posadas.
Secret Fresh will bring artist JP Cuison for an art demonstration on Aug. 27, 2 p.m.
Book illustrations by different artists will be featured during the storytelling sessions.
Carisse Esqueta, RepubLikha executive director and a former preschool teacher, will be reading “The Rocking Horse,” which features the artworks of Elmer Borlongan.
MYX Vj Chino Lui Pio has been invited to read the storybook “Sol: A Legend about the Sun,” with illustrations by Farley del Rosario. “Message in the Sand,” with Roel Obemio’s illustrations, will also be featured.
The third installation of ManilArt will open on Aug. 24 with a formal Filipiniana gala night, by-invitation-only affair. Food will be catered by Richie Manalo of Kusina Teatro.
This event is organized by the Bonafide Art Galleries Organization (Bago) in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Financial institutions Allied Bank and Philippine National Bank (PNB) are supporting ManiArt through their “Luxeclusive,” where cardholders can take home contemporary art art pieces through a zero-percent installment plan.
Fol Rana Jr., Allied Bank SVP and Card Center head, said the bank is supporting the art fair because art is very important in the packaging of luxury goods and services.
Upon purchasing an artwork, subscribers of Allied Bank and PNB will also earn Mabuhay Miles credits through Philippine Airlines.
ManilArt 2011 will have a complete review in Contemporary Art Philippines (CAP) magazine, a bi-monthly art magazine. CAP has made its current issue the commemorative issue of ManilArt11 and 60 percent of its editorial content will be about the art fair.
Also, CAP will give the attendees a chance to purchase and complete their collection of back issues of the magazine by offering full-year sets of six issues at only P1,000 per set. An opportunity of staying in Bellarocca Resort and Spa will also be granted to new subscribers through a special raffle.
Midas Hotel is also supporting ManilArt 2011. People who’ll attend the art fair will be given special offers for booking in the hotel.
Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, Crown Fine Arts, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa and Manny O. Wines are also the sponsors of ManilArt 2011.