Here's what to expect at Art Fair Philippines 2024 and how you can maximize your experience
Art Fair Philippines is starting the new year with a slew of visual delights that showcase the talent of both local and international artists.
In a media launch attended by PhilSTAR L!fe, the country's premier venue for exhibiting Filipino modern and contemporary art laid out its plans for its 11th edition, highlighting that it has expanded its program to include 55 exhibitors from the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Spain.
Trickie Lopa, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines, told L!fe that they have spent the last 10 months planning the full breadth of what goes into every art exhibit.
"You can be sure that if it's something that we've planned and we've put together, we try to raise the standards, raise the bar every year, so you're always going to be learning something new, you're always going to experience something new, you're always going to be seeing something new," she said.
Without further ado, here are some of Art Fair Philippines' immersive sections and the artists included in them for its 2024 edition.
ArtFairPH/Projects
In this realm, you'll be greeted by a collection of thoughtful and innovative exhibitions from artists who are at the height of their powers and yet are still pushing to master their craft.
The section, which was conceptualized by production designer and theater director Ed Lacson, presents works by renowned Filipino artists such as Jonathan Ching, Jigger Cruz, Gean Brix Garcia, Rod Paras-Perez; a selection of women modernists, and a group of muralist painters mentored by Alfredo Esquillo Jr. and Renato Habulan.
You may also want to keep an eye on Pambabae, a special exhibit that shines the spotlight on the contribution of Filipina women modernists who have largely been overshadowed by their male contemporaries. The works come from the likes of Ivi Avellana Cosio, Ileana Lee, Nelfa Querubin, Evelyn Collantes, Phyllis Zaballero, and Lilian Hwang.
ArtFairPH/Residencies
For a more unique and extraordinary experience, Art Fair Philippines' Residencies section is where you need to be.
Here, selected residency artists will be presenting visual reports consisting of illustrations, photographs, videos, performances, and objects highlighting how they've immersed in their craft.
The exhibitions are touted to be transformative as artists are given opportunities to deepen their practice and develop networks beyond their usual context, such as working in their studios.
The selected residency artists are Mark Salvatus for Manila Observatory in Quezon City, Manila; Anna Miguel Cervantes for Linangan Art Residency in Alfonso, Cavite; Jett Ilagan for Emerging Islands in San Juan, La Union; Julian Tapales for Butanding Barrio in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and Renz Baluyot for Orange Projects in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.
ArtFairPH/Digital, Photo, and Film
Art Fair Philippines is set to bring back its digital media section that it introduced last year.
Focusing on computer technology, animation, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse, the 2024 edition will center on David Gryn, founder of online commissioning platform Daata, and his work titled Best Dressed Chicken (Manila Version). It is described as a "selection of great digital video artworks that engage with notions of vanity and choice."
The section will also highlight works from CryptoArt PH, a community dedicated to showcasing how Filipino artists use their talent to find innovation in the realm of NFTs and blockchain technology.
Photography lovers can meanwhile enjoy masterful shots from the sole exhibitor FotomotoPH, a Manila-based organization comprised of visionary photographers, curators, and writers whose goal is to promote Philippine photography through exhibitions around the country.
Lastly, the video section will feature a project curated by filmmaker Moira Lang, who is known for Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings Anak Anak, In My Life, and Patay na si Hesus.
Titled NO SHOWING, it is a combination of a hangout, speakeasy, watering hole, listening party, dance floor, and breathing space for filmmakers and filmgoers to discuss the state of movie making and moviegoing in the Philippines.
It is complemented by music by selected filmmakers playing softly in the background.
ArtFairPH/Talks
If you're harboring a passion for the arts but are hesitant to start your artistic journey, you may find the inspiration you need with Art Fair Philippines' talks program.
The discussions aim to provide insight into an artist’s work and life, art forms, artistic processes, collectors, and interests. You can expect to hear about intersections of art and science, photography as authorship, women in modern art, and reading images from a historical perspective, among others.
You can also learn about basic stretching, matting, and framing of canvas, as well as the basics of artwork conservation.
One guest speaker is prominent Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo, who will share his readings on an ongoing exhibition at the Ateneo Art Gallery.
How to maximize your experience
With so many exhibitions, one may feel lost on how they can fully maximize their visit to the art fair, especially for first-timers.
Lopa advised, "Plan to spend more than an hour. If you can, come back for more than one day. When you come, plan already, keep an open mind, look with your eyes, ask questions."
She emphasized that gallery curators and artists are more than happy to answer questions about their work, especially for exhibitions on the fifth and sixth floor.
"Don't get intimidated, no question is stupid," Lopa urged. "Just imbibe the vibe of each section because they're different. Really keep an open mind and open heart. We don't mind if you take a lot of photos, and try to spend more than an hour because we want to take things slow, we don't want you to be rushing."
Art Fair Philippines' exhibit will be held at The Link in Makati City on Feb. 16 to 18 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tickets are priced at P750 for regular customers, P500 for students and senior citizens, and P300 for Makati students. They can be purchased in advance on their website, but they will also be available at the reception area on the date of the exhibit.