Help us tell the story,” said Lifestyle Asia editor in chief Anna Sobrepeña as she invited the press to spread the word about ManilArt 2013, the country’s biggest visual arts fair.
The story Sobrepeña is referring to is of the Philippines becoming a top art destination—a goal that the ManilArt Foundation is trying to uphold and one that has secured the support of both public and private institutions, including the City of Taguig.
Sobrepeña said France was highlighting Philippine indigenous art at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. When she went to see the show, she said she saw huge banners with images of Philippine artifacts along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. She added this should show that “we have something to share with the world.”
“The visual arts is a window into Philippine culture, a window into the country we all love. Another thing we want to encourage is for those who love Philippine artists and Philippine art from the outside, to come here and see the Philippines, see the Filipino people,” said filmmaker and Taguig Rep. Lino Cayetano, who was representing his sister-in-law Mayor Lani Cayetano.
With 32 galleries bringing in works that have been committed to the ManilArt special projects, the fifth edition of the art fair will be presenting 32 individual exhibitions, just like in 2011. This time around, the mini exhibits will feature pre-submitted concepts.
In the spirit of “Celebrating Variety,” more regional galleries will be joining the fair. Audiences will be able to get a closer look at works from Baguio, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Batanes and Cebu, and some Mindanao provinces.
A number of galleries’ participation in ManilArt 2013 was made possible by ManilArt caravan, which took place months before the fair to invite art groups to come to the metro and share their art in a more accessible venue.
Pocket exhibits
entrance during the tour given by the SMX team
Ushering in ManilArt 2013 are the ManilArt pocket exhibits such as Nune Alvarado’s “Obra Maestra” at the Fatima University Gallery in Antipolo City opening on Sept. 18, and the ManilArt leg in Cebu on Sept. 19, the latter in coordination with Qube Gallery.
Other events to look forward to during the fair are the walking tours, a pocket exhibit featuring installations by Impy Pilapil at the SM Aura SkyPark, and a series of lectures and panel discussions.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chair Felipe de Leon will give the lecture “Finding the Filipino Identity in Contemporary Visual Art,” while Bettina Olmedo, Christian Aguilar and Josie Joya will figure in a panel discussion on “Preserving Artistic Legacy.”
Participating exhibitors are Amarela Gallery (Bohol); Archivo 1984; Arte Pintura Gallery; Artes Orientes; Artists for Nature (Palawan); Big and Small Gallery; Blue and Gray Gallery; Charles Gallery; Finale Art File; Galeria de las Islas; Galeria Duemila; Galerie Anna; Galerie Francesca; Galerie Joaquin; Galerie Nicolas; Galerie Stephanie; Gallery Big; Gallery Nine; L’arc en ciel; Leon Gallery; Manila Contemporary; Paseo Gallery; Qube Gallery (Cebu); Quattrocento; Renaissance; Tam-Awan (Baguio); The Artery Manila, Transwing Art Gallery; Vmeme Contemporary Art Gallery; and Yaru Nu Artes Ivatan (Batanes).
As one of the fair’s co-presentors, Lifestyle Asia of the One Mega Group will publish the art fair catalogue.
ManilArt 2013 will run Oct. 10-13 at the SMX Convention Center, Taguig.
The event is supported by the City of Taguig through its “I Love Taguig” campaign. Coconuts Manila is the official digital media partner of this year’s art fair.
ManilArt 2013 is presented by NCCA, Lifestyle Asia, and Bonafide Art Galleries Organization (Bago) in partnership with Skyjet Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, SMX Convention Center Taguig, SM Aura Premier, Diageo Reserve’s Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Ketel One Vodka, SoFA Design Institute, Uratex, Clean Fuel, King Sue, Secret Fresh, Ladder Events, Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas), and Spectagraphics.
Call 9108016 or 0917-3272925. Visit www.manilart.com, www.facebook.com/ manilart, www.manila.coconuts.co.