The perks of being MoCAF
Three years in, you wouldn’t say MoCAF, the Modern and Contemporary Art Festival, is an institution; rather, it’s an evolving organism that’s flexible enough to shift directions and parameters. And it still skews more towards younger artists and buyers.
“We think it would be a great thing if our audiences grew with us, and vice versa,” says MoCAF chairperson Ricky Francisco. “While we do have artists, artworks and galleries that would cater to mature collectors, we really believe that art should be for everyone. And we try to be as inclusive as we can be, even for our younger audiences.”
What that means for the four floors of Marquis Events Place in BGC this July 5-7 is a main ballroom displaying 24 galleries, seven of them foreign, plus 11 Special Exhibitions including event-exclusive pieces by seasoned creatives Katrina Cuenca and Michael Cacnio to name a few, as well as curated shows by the Department of Tourism. The festival also hosts pioneering MoCAF Discoveries, focusing on emerging artists, with 14 from its 2023 roster coming back this year, as well as 28 new artists under its wing.
With a grander space, MoCAF will offer more than 47 galleries in total, relevant MoCAF Dialogues, plus new feature MoCAF XTN to help “extend” resources to neophyte galleries like M Gallery and non-traditional art forms through its Artisans section, which helps showcase art-inspired merchandise, clothing, books, pottery and other forms from venues like Imao Studios, Spruce Gallery, and clothing brand RIOtaso.
So, yes, MoCAF skews young. Looking at the catalog images, these really are younger artists, many returning to a venue that focuses on a more inclusive audience.
I asked Francisco if younger audiences spend “grownup” money for art? And was that even a factor in MoCAF’s mission? He notes, “Most of our ‘MoCAF Discoveries’ can be afforded by younger people or even those who have just started earning. We are proud of that. We think that those who buy art while they are young tend to buy more art as their tastes develop, and—as you pointed out—their means improve.”
So you plant the seeds with art that appeals to your audience and… watch it grow. Sounds like a plan.
“It’s always been a goal of MoCAF to reach out to the community,” says festival director Coleen Wong. Despite upping the ante each year, “I think what MoCAF is also known for is how relaxed it is for the festival goers; it doesn’t pressure you to roam around. We want festival goers to simply enjoy and breathe in the art experience.”
Wong notes that being relatively new offers a margin of freedom other festivals might not possess. “Even with three years under our belt, we retain the advantage of agility and adaptability. This allows us to swiftly adjust course in response to emerging trends and feedback from our partners and exhibitors.”
For their third edition, alongside traditional art, they’re introducing a new section for prints, fashion and lifestyle elements. “Our goal is to break away from conventional norms, making art more accessible and inclusive of different forms and expressions,” says Wong.
That’s been the mission of MoCAF XP, which leverages collaborations with small local enterprises and emerging art collectives to create interactive, immersive pocket events. “By partnering closely with the community, we ensure these events resonate with local needs and aspirations,” says Wong. “Our goal is not only to inspire and educate the next generation of artists and enthusiasts but also to cultivate lasting partnerships.”
That’s taken even further with new MoCAF XTN, which cultivates start-up and game-changing galleries by offering more activations and opportunities for collaboration. “This approach helps connect galleries with new artists and potential collectors,” says Wong.
The DOT as partner has curated a special exhibition by Melissa Yeung Yap—an artist who integrates indigenous and traditional handwoven fabrics in her work—along with works by Taipan Lucero, who uses Baybayin, or Philippine indigenous writing systems, in his pieces. “By supporting MoCAF, the DOT recognizes the contribution of the local art scene and the greater creative industry in defining what is Filipino,” notes Francisco.
Some special exhibitors this year include VeryGood Gallery, an artist-run space known for fostering community engagement through their events in Imus, Cavite. Also presented under MoCAF XTN is The De Lata Show, an exhibition of approximately 100 emerging artists creating artwork on canvases wrapped in tin cans, resembling a convenience store setup.
The second floor will feature Art+ Magazine, celebrating its 15th anniversary the longest and only running art and lifestyle magazine in the Philippines, with a display of magazine covers over the years and featured works from artists highlighted in the magazine; the outside courtyard and tent area will feature MoCAF XTN, additional galleries, art collectives, artisans and lifesize sculptures by established artists.