ART+ | Don’t let these works fly under your radar at Art Fair Philippines

2020-02-21

Don’t let these works fly under your radar at Art Fair Philippines
Heading to Art Fair Philippines this weekend? Our team searched the fair for works we think are worth seeing as much as the Instagrammable ones.

Text, photos, and videos by: Art+ Team.

From the Regions

In this edition, we see more galleries and project spaces from the regions. It’s also a healthy reminder that there is plenty of art outside of Manila. Spaces to check out: Art/n23, Mariyah Gallery, Orange Project, Tropical Futures Institute, and Perry Argel‘s inclusion in the Projects sector.

Sol LeWitt's murals in Filipino

New York-based curator Carina Evangelista worked with the estate of Sol LeWitt to bring this conceptual piece to the fair. The work begins at the reception area on the 4th floor where guests can view a wall mural completed by several artists. Other murals by Sol LeWitt greet you by the left side on each floor’s landing. The final mural written in Baybayin is located on the rooftop.

Thought-provoking exhibits

If you visit during non-peak hours, you’ll find moments of calm in the fair. Some of the galleries feature works that compel one to reflect on the state of society. Works worth visiting are Left Wing by Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan at Yavuz Gallery, Guerrero Habulan at Art Cube, Julie Lluch’s Irresistible Grace at Galerie Stephanie, Tin-aw Gallery‘s “Sex”, and Abi Dionisio’s Flesh and Needles at Ysobel Art Gallery.

Photography Section

After AFP’s last two editions put the spotlight on photography, this edition once again has a dedicated section that champions photography as an artistic medium. Spaces to check out: Luzviminda, bio | trans | forms, and Strange Fruit.

Affordable and portable art

Fairgoers often just look at expensive art pieces around the fair. On the contrary, there are some galleries and shops that offer affordable art that you can pay and take home right away. These include artist portfolio sets from Kaida Contemporary, Signum‘s “Off the Shelf” pieces, photo prints from Silverlens, prints from the Association of Pinoy printmakers, and even the fair’s souvenir shop Art Cabinet, which has a selection of art objects for sale.

Engage and interact

Art Fair Philippines brings us Incubator spaces, a new section that enables art projects to be exhibited as proposed by artists, art groups and art spaces. Projects in this space challenge our assumptions of “interactive art.” In previous editions of the fair, we’ve seen installations that fair goers can physically manipulate through participation. This year there are works that experiential as well transactional.

Issay Rodriguez’s “Doon” (Over There) is one of the projects in the incubator space. The work has a component that requires guests to forage for flowers around the fair. Happy hunting!

Another project worth engaging with is the Ghost & Host in Load Na Dito. This project is meant to be experienced through a series of conversations. Speak to the artist Denver Garza, ask if you can take a look at artworks hidden beneath the mattress installation by Gerome Soriano, or maybe share a ghost story with Neo Maestro.

Art Fair Philippines will run until 23 February at The Link parking lot, Makati City. Art+ Magazine is available for free while stocks last at Art Cabinet (4th floor, behind Hublot and across Don Papa Rum).

Source: ARTPLUS PH: “Don’t let these works fly under your radar at Art Fair Philippines”

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