Art in a carpark
MANILA, Philippines - Summit Media’s four premiere titles — Town & Country, Preview, Esquire and ELLE Decoration will take part in building further efforts to promote exceptional Filipino talents by taking part in this year’s AFP. By acknowledging it’s high time to put Filipino arts in the global scene, Town & Country, Preview, Esquire and Elle Decoration are set to raise the esteem of Filipino artists by giving them an avenue to exhibit their crafts and gain more recognition from curators in Asia and around the world through relevant exposure and media representation.
Modern and contemporary art continue to thrive in the Philippines. The growing interest in this dynamic genre has prompted art aficionados to create venues which aim to further Filipino audiences’ regard for contemporary art. In celebration of National Arts Month, Makati will take center stage as it plays host to Art Fair Philippines 2013.
From February 7 to 10, the spotlight will be turned on to the best and most distinct examples of Philippine contemporary art. Art Fair Philippines (AFP) 2013 in Makati will be both a gathering and celebration of the multifaceted style of Filipino artists, as well as promote Philippine visual art both locally and abroad.
No other venue is deemed appropriate for this art extravaganza than Makati. Not only is Makati packed with towering skyscrapers and modern architecture; public art flourishes in the city — from Arturo Luz sculptures at the Ayala Triangle Gardens to Eduardo Castrillo pieces at RCBC and underpass murals by Ben Cabrera, Elmer Borlongan and Plet Bolipata.
AFP will transform the 6th level of The Link car park building into a vibrant art boutique. Located in the newly redeveloped Ayala Center between Makati Shangri-La Hotel and Landmark Shopping Center, the Ayala-owned multi-level building will serve as a stage where stalwarts of regional art auctions, as well as promising art prodigies will show their work in all types of media.
Art lovers, collectors and enthusiasts will be treated to a feast for the eyes, as 24 of the most forward-thinking galleries and art groups present a series of specially-curated shows. Town & Country will host a cocktail event on the Feb. 6 to open the exhibit while Preview, Esquire and Elle Decor Philippines host a similar gathering on the Feb. 8. The events will be attended by the magazines’ well-respected editors, people of society and friends from the press.
The exhibition will include works from Canvas who will work with six artists — including Elmer Borlongan, Emmanuel Garibay and Don Salubayba — on the theme “Looking for Juan in Basketball.†Tin-Aw Gallery will also mount a solo show by Mark Justiniani. Other major galleries participating in the event are Silverlens, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Blanc, Art Informal, Manila Contemporary, Finale Art Gallery, West Gallery, MO Space, Boston Gallery, among others.
Art aficionados and enthusiasts should also look forward to “Asphalt,†a specially-commissioned sculpture from renowned kinetic sculptor Gabriel Barredo. The rambling installation’s intriguing, fantastical folly, imbued with the amazing creative and mechanical genius of the artist, promises to be a visual spectacle which will leave everyone breathless. In the same way, a specially-commissioned reception desk created entirely of iconic San Miguel Beer crates by artist Norberto “Peewee†Roldan Jr. will welcome guests to the event.
