Home is where the art is.
After launching the SilverKris Lounge in 2015 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 with its “home away from home” concept, Singapore Airlines (SIA) now further enhances the travel experience with curated artworks by Salcedo Auctions.
Supporting Philippine art is nothing new to the airline. When it launched its new SilverKris Lounge more than two years ago, SIA commissioned Filipino sculptor Impy Pilapil who created a glass art mounted to an entire wall in the heart of the lounge. The resident piece is the artist’s interpretation of the incredible experience of flying.
“Air travel is not just about going from point A to point B. The lounge is a significant part of the experience,” said Balagopal Kunduvara, Singapore Airlines general manager in the Philippines.
On exhibit near the entrance of the lounge are the atmospheric landscape paintings of international Filipino artist and architect Melissa la O’, and the contemporary take on the ancient art of glassmaking by Spektacularis artists Gabriel Lichauco, Lilianna Manahan and Stanley Ruiz.
The Spektacularis artists studied glassmaking for months in the Czech Republic under the tutelage of master glassblower Jirí Pacinek. Many of the works on exhibit are collaborations with Pacinek, such as Manahan’s “Summer Sundays Crackle Bowl” and Lichauco’s “Winter Clear.”
Spektacularis cofounder Stephanie Frondoso, who also traveled with the trio when they studied glassmaking a few years ago, said Manahan was keenly interested in glass painting used throughout history that she decided to combine them all into a contemporary project. The crackle technique, for instance, was invented in the 15th century, while melting glass was first produced in the ’70s.
“She created a series of glass animals which are thought bubbles, and the insides of the animals are her thoughts,” Frondoso said.
Lichauco was more experimental, combining glass with stones, turning ordinary glass sculpture tools into glass art pieces. Ruiz also experimented by combining glass with wood to form organic asymmetrical sculptures—a difficult task, said Frondoso, since glass makers are used to making symmetrical forms like bowls and vases.
The trio has exhibited in Milan, Prague and Singapore—and now, the Philippines.
Salcedo Auctions, the only auction house in the Philippines specializing in the sale of fine art, jewelry, decorative arts and collectible accessories by local and international artists and artisans, brought together Spektacularis and Melissa la O’ under one roof. All artworks are for sale and on exhibit until May this year.
“Premium passengers get to experience great art. We need to look at art from an international perspective, and I believe we have the perfect group of artists,” said Richie Lerma, director of Salcedo Auctions. “The glass art is done with international technical touch with respect to glass art and its history. The Melissa la O’ artworks do not focus on picturing nature but instead focus on how philosophers experience a screen.”
The curated artworks are on exhibit at the SilverKris Lounge until May and will be available for purchase through Salcedo Private View, the private sale division of Salcedo Auctions.
Singapore Airlines flies from Manila to Singapore four times daily. Passengers traveling from Cebu, Davao and Kalibo can fly to Singapore via SilkAir, which flies 12 times weekly from Cebu, nine times weekly from Davao, and three times weekly from Kalibo.
