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It’s 2017, Why Aren’t You Appreciating Art Yet?

It’s 2017, Why Aren’t You Appreciating Art Yet?
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When was the last time you went to a gallery or an art museum? When was the last time you stared at a painting (that isn’t from an art meme page)? Or any work of art for that matter? Don’t be cute and say the last time you saw your crush or S.O.

Well, let’s be fair—art is found even outside the confines of an all white, air-conditioned exhibition room. And those rooms do get feel pretty hoity-toity. You find yourself in one of the corridors staring at a huge canvas and you say to yourself what the fuck am I supposed to do? Should I just stare, rub my chin, and nod slowly?

But getting back, when was the last time you stared at something that just straight up arrested your whole being? Something that knocked you off your socks and took the breath out of you.

With this year’s Art Fair Philippines, you might get that moment without any pretense. And no, I’m not talking about finding your future bae. I’m not even talking about #ahrt (emphasis on the “H”).

silverlens_i-want-to-live-a-thousand-more-years-self-portrait-after-dengue-with-tropical-plants-and-fake-flowers_wawi-navarroza

Wawi Navarozza

 

Slated for February 16 – 19, 2017, Art Fair Philippines 2017 promises to showcase the best in Philippine modern and contemporary art at The Link carpark, located in Ayala Center Makati. In 2017, an additional floor, the open-air Roof Deck, has been added to accommodate the thousands of people who increasingly come visit the fair since its inception (from 6,000 visitors in 2013 to 22,000 in 2016). Art Fair Philippines has been happening since 2013, but this year will undoubtedly be the biggest. Here’s what’s in store:

ART FAIR PH/TALKS will include Canadian writer and sociologist of culture Dr. Sarah Thornton, former contemporary art chief correspondent for The Economist and author of several art world bestsellers such as Seven Days in the Art World and 33 Artists in 3 Acts. Also, Filipino historian, academic and journalist Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo will talk on the solo exhibition he curated at the Ateneo Art Gallery of works by significant modern artist Arturo Luz, Philippine National Artist for the Visual Arts. Professor Tony Godfrey, teacher, writer, and curator, will offer an exchange on often asked questions about contemporary art as he discusses what “masterpiece” or being a great artist may mean today.

ART FAIR PH/TOURS will continue to propose guided tours of relevant museums around Metro Manila. No word yet on where, but let’s hope on a tour of the National Museum of Natural History near Rizal Park that’s hopefully opening soon.

ART FAIR PH/PROJECTS are new commissions in form of interactive and/or thought-provoking installations around The Link by internationally established Filipino visual artists. On the 6th floor, an installation by Jose Tence Ruiz, one of the artists who represented the Philippines at the Venice Biennale in 2015, takes center stage with a socio-realist commentary on the country’s current political issues. Other artists commissioned for the 2017 line-up are Agnes Arellano, Elmer Borlongan, Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Emmanuel Garibay, Dex Fernandez, Mark Justiniani, Maria Jeona Zoleta, and the WSK group of sound artists. The 2017 recipient of the Karen H. Montinola Selection, a private grant created in homage to art patron Karen Hernandez. Montinola with Art Fair Philippines in 2014, is interdisciplinary and ceramic artist Mark Valenzuela.

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Dex Fernandez

 

And if you just skipped all that, maybe you’ll be interested in this: To complement the fair, Art Fair Philippines launches 10 Days of Art, from February 9 to 19, a series of events around Makati and BGC that will involve galleries, museum, bars, restaurants, and retail establishments. Yup, parties.

Here’s the full list on what’s going on for 10 Days of Art:

Public Art

James Nares
Street, 2012
Video
February 14-19, 12nn – 2pm and 5pm – 9pm
Fountain Area of Tower One & Exchange Plaza,
Ayala Triangle, Makati City

Charlie Co
Bombardment, 2016
Mixed Media
February 9-19
Greenbelt Fashion Walk, Ayala Center

Revolution
Pre-crafted artist pavillions
February 9-19
5th Avenue park area, Net Park Building, Bonifacio Global City

Art/Events

February 10 (Exhibition Opening)
Prelude | Carlos Amorales
Bellas Artes Outpost

February 11
DRM Classic Garage Art Exhibit
DRM Classic Garage

February 12, 11am – 3pm
Private Lanai by Salcedo Auctions
Lanai

February 13-19, 12nn and 5pm
10 Days of Art Live!
Busker Performances
Makati Streets, Underpasses and Walkways

February 15, 8pm
Garaparty
La Fuerza Compound

February 17, 5:30pm (Exhibition Opening)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul: The
Serenity of Madness
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD)

February 17, 6pm (Exhibition Opening)
Altarpiece: Natee Utarit
Ayala Museum

February 18, 4pm (Exhibition Opening)
Pauses of Possibility
Lopez Museum and Library

February 18, 8pm – 11pm
Silent Disco
Ayala Triangle Gardens Courtyard Area, Makati City

Food & Drink

Makati
Near the Link
Museum Café
Salcedo Village
Pablo
Cartel Deli

Legaspi Village
Pappy Bistro
The Belle and Dragon

Chino Roces Avenue
XX:XX
20:20
Black Market
Finders Keepers

Poblacion
Bar Mathilde
Bucky’s
Pura Vida
Tambai
House of Joe
Wild Poppy
Z Hostel

BGC
The Bowery
Chotto Matte
Rocket Room
Bank Bar
Bitters

It’s 2017, man. Get with the program and it’s time to go out and appreciate art. Your soul will love it. And I swear that isn’t some hippy BS.

Photos from Art Fair Philippines


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