This year’s Art Fair Philippines has opened on Feb. 16 at The Link Carpark, but the celebration of art has begun even earlier than that.
All over the city, public art installations, performances, and other events are being held in partnership with establishments and galleries.
It’s smack in the middle of the workweek, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck at your desk all day. Plan out your breaks or make the most out of your trip home with this Art Fair event guide.
See
What: Street, James Nares
When: Feb. 15-19
Where: Ayala Triangle fountain area (between Tower One and Exchange Plaza)
British filmmaker, photographer, and artist James Nares will have his film, Street, screened publicly at the Ayala Triangle. This is the first screening of the film in Asia. The hour-long film features footage from the streets of New York, rendered in slow motion. Nares shares that the footage was shot over the span of a week, amounting to around 16 hours of video in total.
With the film set in slow-motion, you’re allowed to take a closer look at personalities you would normally, quickly pass by on the street, this time with greater detail and attention. Nares calls this film, something to be watched after 100 years.
What: Your Color Universe, Derek Tumala
When: Feb. 9-19
Where: Ayala Center walkway (Landmark-Greenbelt walkway)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQWolAxAypC/?taken-by=artfairph
The short walk crossing over two malls is made more colorful with Derek Tumala’s light installation. It features glass-like shards suspended from the walkway ceiling, with light reflecting colors onto the floor below.
What: Bombarded, Charlie Co
When: Feb. 9-19
Where: Fashion Walk at Greenbelt 5 (outside Zara)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZSF_IATUN/?taken-by=artfairph
An unlikely installation stands at the center of Greenbelt 5’s Fashion Walk. Bombarded reflects the effects of war. It depicts a squad of soldiers making their way through rubble and ruins in the middle of a bombing.
What: Overhead repurposed Christmas decor, Zenas Pineda
When: Feb. 9-19
Where: Dela Rosa Walkway
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQaXM7CFevf/?taken-by=makeitmakati
You can look back at the holiday’s best moments under the repurposed Christmas decor by Zenas Pineda. LED lights form patterns on the walkway’s ceilings, which pedestrians can enjoy spotting as they pass through.
Other exhibitions and installations
Where: Legazpi Underpass
What: Dirty Kids Art street art
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZfRl6F7Nh/?taken-by=makeitmakati
Where: Legazpi Patio
What: Sampaguita, Bumper-to-Bumper, junk metal installation by Pete Jimenez
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQSTYEqFho-/?taken-by=makeitmakati
Where: Jaime Velasquez Park
What: Refuge, interactive installation by Allison Wong David
Where: Dela Rosa Walkway
What: Xyza Cruz Bacani photographs of Humans of Makati
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBJC9CILtAs/?tagged=xyzabacani
Events
What: 10 Days of Art Live! – Busker Performances
Where: Makati walkways and underpasses
When: Feb. 13-19, 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
What: Apichatpong Weerasethakul: The Serenity of Madness – Exhibit Opening
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD)
When: Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.
What: Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpiece – Natee Utarit – Exhibit Opening
Where: Ayala Museum
When: Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
What: Pauses of Possibility – Exhibit Opening
Where: Lopez Museum and Library
When: Feb. 18, 4 p.m.
What: Silent Disco
Where: Ayala Triangle Gardens Courtyard
When: Feb. 18, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Eat and Drink
You can still indulge in some form of artistry even outside the scope of the galleries and exhibitions. For this year’s fair, Art Fair Philippines partnered with more than 20 establishments to create and offer exclusive food and drinks until the fair concludes on Feb. 19.
Many of the featured establishments have concocted alcoholic beverages along side Art Fair’s other sponsors, like Don Papa Rum, making these perfect enders after art walks and visiting exhibitions.
Pura Vida offers two drinks for the season, both Costa Rican takes on well-known tipple.
The Wild Poppy offers “Pop Art,” which uses apples, apple juice, cinnamon-infused gin, and lemon juice. It comes with a serving of caramel popcorn on the side.
Meanwhile the Z Hostel offers a glass of a more refreshing drink of gin mixed with melon and calamansi, which they call the “Juan Luna” after the renowned Filipino artist.
Other establishments include East Café, Museum Café, Chili’s, California Pizza Kitchen, 20:20, Finders Keepers, Black Market, and Bucky’s.
See the full list of installations and participating establishments on Art Fair Philippines 2017’s 10 Days of Art page.
Writer: PAULINE MIRANDA
