As its contribution to the 10th anniversary of ManilArt Fair, and to spearhead the celebration of October as Museums and Galleries Month, the Intramuros Administration will put up around the walled city an outdoor banner exhibit displaying the works showcased in the Philippines’ oldest and biggest visual arts festival.

Intramuros Administration head Guiller Asido said the banners would be put up along General Luna and Muralla Streets.

Intramuros is one of two “extended” or “outreach” sites of ManilArt Fair which will be held again at the SMX of SM Aura in Taguig City on Oct. 18-21.

The other is Poblacion, Makati. Another outdoor banner exhibit of works from ManilArt will be put up along Palma Street.

The Poblacion showcase is in cooperation with Pineapple Lab and Japan Foundation Manila.

Intramuros Administration will also mount its “Art in Public Spaces” program in the walled city in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), whose headquarters is in Intramuros.

Zachary Alcoseba “magkono” wood sculptures on display around Fort Santiago, Intramuros

Asido, who has been supportive of NCCA Gallery’s exhibition program, hailed the collaboration between the private and public sectors to celebrate Museums and Galleries Month.

Welcome development

“This is a welcome development and we of Intramuros Administration gladly join in the efforts that support the goal of making Intramuros an extended exhibition space of Philippine art and culture,” Asido said.

As part of the program, “TrashFormers” by Mindanao-based artist Kublai Millan will be installed in three areas along Muralla Street—Baluarte de San Gabriel, Baluarte de Dilao, and Baluarte de San Andres.

“TrashFormers” by Mindanao artist Kublai Millan on display along Muralla Street and elsewhere in Intramuros

The 15 larger-than-life sculptures made from plastic and metal scraps were made according to the artist’s advocacy of zero-waste work environment.

Meanwhile, Zachary Alcoseba, another Mindanao artist, will present his driftwood sculptures at Fort Santiago. His creative process involves magkono wood or Philippine ironwood, which he collects with the help of the indigenous community of the Subanons in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.

All of his large-scale animal creations are mostly made of magkono driftwood assembled together using wooden nails as fasteners from the same driftwood. Alcoseba’s advocacy is also on environmental sustainability through recycling and upcycling.

“We also welcome and congratulate Zachary Alcoseba and Kublai Millan,” Asido said. “Their creativity brings pride not only to Mindanao but to the whole country.” –CONTRIBUTED