ART IS A BANG: Art Fair Philippines 2013

Art in a car park? Yes it can and will happen in Makati with Art Fair Philippines 2013 on February 7 to 10, 2013.  

Featuring the best in Philippine contemporary art, Art Fair Philippines 2013 will take place in an alternative urban venue--The Link car park located between the Makati Shangri-La Hotel and the Landmark Department Store. Many know the building because its walls convert into a glowing palette of ever-changing color in the evenings.  

Twenty-four invited galleries and art groups, chosen for carefully edited selections from their roster of artists, will transform Level 6 of the Ayala Land-owned car park into a boutique art fair.  Names familiar to followers of the Philippine art scene, stalwarts of regional art auctions, as well as promising newcomers will show work in all types of media. Visitors will be welcomed at a specially commissioned reception desk created entirely of iconic San Miguel Beer crates by artist Norberto “Peewee” Roldan, Jr.  

A well-planned exhibition, area, styled by design superstar Kenneth Cobonpue and laid out by the Leandro V. Locsin Partners, will set off gallery offerings and art installations for the viewing pleasure of art lovers, collectors, enthusiasts.

Specially curated shows will be mounted by each gallery:  Tin-Aw Art Gallery will feature a solo show by Mark Justiniani, while CANVAS will work with six artists, including Elmer Borlongan, Emmanuel Garibay, and Don Salubayba, on the theme Looking for Juan in Basketball.  Salcedo Auctions will have works by London-based Filipino artist David Cortez Medalla, National Artist J. Elizalde Navarro, and from the estate of Onib Olmedo,.  Other major galleries participating are Silverlens, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Blanc, Art Informal, Manila Contemporary, Finale Art Gallery, West Gallery, MO Space, Boston Gallery, among others.

Taking center stage as the fair’s special exhibit, Asphalt, a rambling installation from sculptor Gabriel Barredo, is an intriguing, fantastical folly imbued with the amazing creative and mechanical genius of the artist. This promises to be a marvel to anyone, whether they are familiar with or new to Barredo's work. A surprise offering from auction superstar Ronald Ventura is in the works too.  

Art pieces will dot Makati City’s public area, complementing the fair as part of Ayala Land’s Make It Happen Make It Makati campaign. 

Visitors to Art Fair Philippines 2013 can enjoy all-day casual dining and cocktails in the early evening courtesy of Kai Restaurant and The Straits Wine Company.  Citibank will be the sole credit card provider for the art fair.

Philippine Art Awards will launch their competition for 2013/2014 during the fair period.

Art Fair Philippines 2013 will deliver a unique, multi-layered experience to anyone interested in Philippine contemporary art.  Art Fair Philippines 2013 aims to be the art fair for the Philippines.  See you there on February 7 to 10, 2013!

For more information and a complete list of participants, visit www.artfairphilippines.com 

Contact Jayce Perlas at (0917)831-6000/JCPerlas@perlaspr.com secretariat@artfairphilippines.com

ART FAIR PHILIPPINES 2013

A GRAND SHOW OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST GALLERIES TO BE HELD IN MAKATI

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 other 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 to Eduardo Castrillo pieces in RCBC and underpass murals by Ben Cabrera, Elmer Borlongan and Plet Bolipata. 

Apart from being the Philippines’ foremost business, lifestyle, entertainment and culture hub, Makati is also the heart of the country’s art and culture scene. Here, are galleries galore, art schools increase in number and a range of architecturally significant structures are aplenty. Hosting the Philippines’ biggest exhibition of contemporary art will only further Makati’s role a cradle for the arts.

AFP will transform the  6th level of The Link carpark 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. There’s no place where the eye can rest. The exhibition area will be filled with stunning pieces from the roster of artists each gallery represents.

CANVAS will work with six artists, including Elmer Borlongan, Emmanuel Garibay and Don Salubayba, on the theme “Looking for Juan in Basketball,” while Tin-Aw Gallery will mount a solo show by Justin Justinian. 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. 

Add to that, a surprise offering from auction superstar Ronald Ventura is in the works. 

Committed to support local artists, AFP will also be launching the Philippine Art Awards, a platform to recognize & exhibit established and emerging local artists to be recognized and their works exhibited, to reach a wider audience. 

Early evening visitors can wine and dine at the venue’s roof deck courtesy of Kai Restaurant and The Straits Wine Company. Citibank will be the event’s sole credit card provider.

Free tickets will be given to Makati students in groups of four and below (with prior notice). For more information about Art Fair Philippines 2013, schedule, tickets and complete list of participants, visit www.artfairphilippines.com. Art Fair Philippines 2013 is organized by Philippine Art Events Inc.  Members of the board are Dindin B. Araneta, Trickie C. Lopa, and Lisa O. Periquet.