Sure, the evenings are markedly warmer these days, but you know summer has come to town when art blooms in full force — pull out your breeziest warm-weather clothes and slip into comfortable sandals because today, February 27, and for today only, it’s time for the annual Art in the Park, an affordable art fair at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City.
There’s a reason it should be a red-letter day on every art lover’s calendar: Two years ago, a friend of mine scored a pretty picture by a young artist who, two years later, is now making waves on the scene. Just last year, an aunt spotted a painting that spoke to her from meters away. It was of an old man with weathered skin whistling a happy tune, and the colors and spirit of the subject reminded her of her late father. She decided she had to have it, but as she made her way to the painting, another woman picked up from the grassy patch on which it was humbly displayed, and what ensued was a rather amicable on-the-spot bidding war. My aunt won, but not by much (and mostly because it was summer and the general air was so relaxed and friendly that the other bidder decided there was no need to turn hostile). Now, the painting hangs in my aunt’s den, where it constantly turns into a conversation piece during cocktail parties.
There are many more stories of great finds — all art available for under P20,000 — at this particular fair since it began four years ago. Organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, a foundation whose programs are geared towards raising awareness and appreciation for the National Museum and its network, along with Barangay Bel-Air and Security Bank MasterCard, it brings together a number of art galleries (bearing offerings of contemporary art) from all over Metro Manila in a casual a setup as you can get: in white festival tents, pitched on the grassy expanse of Salcedo Village’s neighborhood park, under the shade of trees, and bordered by shrubs of greenery.
A bit of literature from the Museum Foundation gives a rundown of what we can look forward to today: “Art Informal, Blanc, Tala, Tin-aw, Art Cabinet, Galerie Astra, Metro Gallery — all at the forefront of the contemporary art scene — will be joined this year by the pioneers West Gallery and Gallery Genesis. INK, Sheer Joy, and Canvas also return this year to continue amusing, introducing art to the young ones. Galeria de las Islas will be there, as always, for people who look for art and artifacts of a more historical and anthropological nature. The Putik booth showcases pottery — sculptural, decorative, and utilitarian. The regulars, L’arc En Ciel, Kulay Art Group, and Ral Arrogante, will also be returning. Charlie Cojuangco’s Nova Gallery will make its Art In The Park debut. The TUP Fine Arts Alumni and Students booth will be the perfect place to pick up well-priced artworks by fresh new artists. The displays of The Mighty Bhutens (a group of artists from Baguio doing mosaic art), Nineveh Art Space, and the Malabon artists give gallery goers the chance to see the art being produced outside Metro Manila. Sherwin Tan and Tara Soriano, with her sculptural jewelry, will also be participating. Photography will be available from the Zone Five Camera Club. The diversity of styles, media, and concerns of this year’s art fair makes for a very interesting and dynamic show.”
Even if you’re not looking to buy art, come for the sights, particularly the large installations of Jan Leeroy New, a young sculptor widely known largely for his boundless imagination, and specifically for his sculptures of aliens in fiberglass, some of which will be touching down at the park today. Another young artist, Lea Lim, will set up an installation that’s a stark contrast to New’s bright-colored weird creatures. Lim’s almost magical assemblage of small white swings, a meditation on transience, will hang from a tree and over a walkway, thereby engaging all who walk by.
Art In The Park is on today, February 27, at the Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City. Although it traditionally starts at 7 a.m. to coincide with the Salcedo Market, the fair will now open its gates at 2 p.m. and stay on till 10 p.m. Merienda, cocktails, and dinner will be available at the booths of La Cuisine Francaise, Pizza di Grazia, Windows Café, The Straits Wine Company, and Nic’s Bakeshop. Part of the proceeds will go to the foundation’s programs that raise awareness and appreciation for the National Museum and its network.