For the fifth year, Ortigas Malls recently held its art festival to celebrate Filipino artistry and embrace multifaceted art mediums.
“This year, we present to you a bigger and bolder Ortigas Art Festival by painting a broader stroke of Philippine art encompassing various art forms,” said architect Renee Bacani, Ortigas Malls vice president.
2020 was a special year for the mall as they earned two international awards from both the Asia Pacific and International Business Stevie for their continuous and innovative efforts in making art more accessible to people.
Despite the pandemic restrictions last year, they were able to mount a physical exhibit and conducted virtual workshops to adapt to the new normal. That was also their first year to launch the first Ortigas Vertical Cinema Contest in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival lead curator, said that the best place to start it is at the mall where people converge and art is more accessible.
For Habulan, the mall is also an event place where one can present fashion shows, do performance art, and spoken word poetry. “A space for art workshops, pottery, printmaking and painting, and even an exhibition center where you have a one whole year of events.”
Helen Mirasol, Ortigas Art Festival consultant, said that through the generosity of Ortigas Land, they have been offering art for free to the general public for five years now.
“Some might ask, ‘What good is art to the average person?’. I believe that art provokes thought. And I believe that this is a good thing,” she noted.
All of the festivals feature a comment board where guests can post their reactions or comments which can then be read by the artists.
Ramon Santos, National Artist for Music, said, “It is only through the arts that we can express ourselves and our aspirations, communicate with our fellow human beings, as well as uplift our feelings in a most effective way.” He stresses that art features “expressions that affirm our being human, who can think, feel and create with such gifts as human imagination and ingenuity,” he noted.
For the month-long celebration, Liza Diño, Film Development Council of the Philippines chair, said they are also screening some Filipino classic films acclaimed not just for their popular appeal, but for their artistic merit acknowledged in festivals across the globe.
Gil Granado, Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines chair, said that despite the pandemic they have continued to strive back to life with the love for their craft, aiming for more and greater yet unique creations. “After all, art and fashion is the life of every party.”
Teacher Francie Castañeda- Lacanilao, The Learning Tree directress and founder, said it was a great privilege and honor for their little school to share their children’s artworks at the art fest.
The festival runs until August 7 at the East Wing of Estancia Mall, Pasig City. The exhibit is open and free for all visitors to see different artworks proudly made by both established and rising Filipino artists.
