The country’s biggest art fair aims to make art accessible to a bigger audience
NOW ONLY on its second year, ManilArt, fast becoming the country’s premiere showcase for the best in Filipino contemporary art, will open July 29 with an invitational gala at SM Mall of Asia’s SMX Convention Center.

The art fair will bring together artists, galleries and art houses from across the Philippines in what is expected to be the year’s biggest gathering of the local visual-arts community. President Benigno Aquino III is expected to grace the event in his first formal engagement with the art community.


Start of something big

ManilArt is the brainchild of gallerist Jonathan Sy, who was invited in 2007 by the late Sid Hildawa, then Visual Arts director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, to join the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Galleries Committee.

Not a lot of people were attending committee meetings and Hildawa had wanted to involve gallery owners in planning meaningful art projects.

“I reached out to everyone I knew in the business,” recalls Sy, “and started talking frantically about doing an exhibit together as one group for the sake of unity.”

Thus was born Bago (Bonafide Art Galleries Organization), whose seminal “State of Art” exhibit in 2008 drew tremendous positive response.

By 2009, Bago was ready for a more ambitious project. With a grant from the NCCA, the organization staged ManiArt 09, participated in by 40 of the country’s leading art galleries representing over 300 artists and showcasing over 500 artworks.

The four-day event drew over 5,000 visitors to the NBC Tent in Taguig. Participating galleries earned a combined income of P20 million.

“We hope to at least double all those numbers this year,” says Sy.


Making art accessible

Sy, however, is quick to point out that ManilArt is not all about business.

“Our aim is to make art accessible to all, not just the rich and famous,” he says. “After all, art markets can thrive only when a significant portion of the population is art-literate, mindful and appreciative of the role the arts play in daily life.”

This year, Bago is joining hands with several cultural and academic institutions to bring Philippine visual arts closer to the public: Alliance Française de Manille, Ayala Museum, BenCab Museum, British Council, GSIS Museum, Instituto Cervantes, Metropolitan Museum, National Museum and Yuchencgo Museum.

Students and educators from different schools, including Ateneo de Manila, Philippine Women’s University, School of Fashion and the Arts, St. Scholastica’s College, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas are also participating in the activities and lectures scheduled July 29-Aug. 1.

“In most schools, art-related subjects are taught as token courses, if at all,” laments Joselito Kayaban, chair of the Fine Arts Department of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila.

“Most institutions today are caught in the high-tech frenzy,” he adds, “privileging technology over substance and creativity. This is unfortunate because many of today’s complex social problems need creative solutions from problem-solvers who need to think like artists. ManilArt is a good venue for students and teachers alike to extend learning beyond the classroom.”

For ManilArt 10, Bago has assembled a panel of renowned experts, artists and educators to deliver lectures on art-making and practice, criticism and appreciation, on July 30 -Aug.1.

The lecture series includes talks on legal issues and expression by lawyer Trixie Angeles; preservation and conservation of works of art on paper by Alexandra Bothello; artwork photography by Ross Capili; and a study of images in contemporary art by Cid Reyes.

Ramon Lerma will also talk about the Ateneo Art Awards. Deanna Ongpin-Recto and Stephane Doutrelant will talk about the French government’s residency program for Filipino artists in France.


Auction as highlight

Another highlight of ManilArt is the art auction organized by Finale Art File.

Some 50 works from among the most exciting contemporary artists including Andres Barrioquinto, Elmer Borlongan, Charlie Co, Duddley Diaz, Jose Tence Ruiz will be auctioned off during the fair. Silent bids will be accepted until July 31. Winning bids will be announced on Aug. 1.

An especially arresting piece by Annie Kabigting, “After Yves Klein,” will also be auctioned off. Kabigting is one of few young Filipino contemporary artists whose works are sought after by such international auction houses as Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

In her piece for ManilArt, Kabigting pays homage to the German artist Klein, celebrated for his highly conceptual monochromatic paintings. Kabigting’s tribute is a masterful rendition of balance and composition, providing a pictorial depiction of the ongoing creative dialogues between artists and viewers past and present, as well as an examination of the differing styles and techniques that at once divide and unite the artistic spirit.

Other notable pieces included are rare works by masters Juvenal Sansó and Anita Magsaysay-Ho.

ManilArt 10 is open to the general public 11 a.m.-8 p.m, July 30-Aug. 1.

Call 5316231 or 0917-8511333; visit www.manilart.com.