The Philippines’ vibrant art scene takes center stage as ManilArt 2024 embraces the theme “Prisms and Mosaics” to celebrate its multifaceted nature. Set to run from October 9-13, at the SMX Aura Convention Center, this year’s event is a dynamic celebration of diversity, complexity, and interconnectedness in artistic expression.
This year’s art fair unites diverse artistic expressions into a harmonious display, with artists showcasing their works and industry experts talking about the challenges in navigating today’s art world.
The creative spirit refracts into countless mediums, each offering a unique lens through which to view artistic expression. From Romulo Galicano’s masterful paintings to Darby Alcoseba’s surreal semi-murals, and Adeste Deguilmo’s cultural iconography to Joe Marie Sanclaria’s whimsical expressionism, the intersection of traditional and contemporary techniques is vividly showcased at ManilART.
Diverse sculptural mediums are a mainstay throughout the fair. A stunning array of glass sculptures includes Ramon Orlina’s groundbreaking works, Anna Orlina’s avant-garde pieces, and Marge Organo’s delicately vibrant creations. Ombok Villamor’s iridescent oversized metal pieces capture the eye, while Agi Pagkatipunan’s functional wood art commands admiration.
The juxtaposition of ManilART Curator Danny Rayos del Sol’s carved skulls and ostrich eggs and Ram Mallari’s brass steampunk works, creates a paradoxical symbol of vulnerability and fragility belied by ideals of rebellion against the establishment.
A special multimedia exhibit entitled “Plugged Into Fernalia– Art in the Age of AI” will juxtapose AI-generated works alongside human-made art given a set of specially-curated prompts and seeks to explore the complex interplay of technology and human creativity.
Gromyko Semper assembles a roster of local and international artists to participate in this ambitious project.
A story unfolds in the exhibit’s four thematic sections: “Origins and Inspirations” retrospects on the initial promise brought by AI to the artistic landscape; “Ethics and Appropriation” raises the ever-growing concerns of artists and the use of creative content by AI companies; “Human vs.
Machine” compares AI-generated art with human-made works; and “Future Visions” imagines the path forward, the future of creativity in an AI-dominated world.
At the Central Podium is Hyperrealist Ed Coronel’s, three-part mural-sized canvas entitled “The Wave” as his detailed inquiry into realism and expression. Triggered by the conflict on the West Philippine Sea and continuing tensions in the region, Coronel paints gigantic black waves catching his iconic Grand Prize-winning gummy bears, as symbols of resilience against the dynamics of dominance and flux of existence.
A pioneer and now an institution in sculptural exhibitions, the Annual Sculpture Review (ASR) includes in its legacy roster National Artists and some of the top names in sculpture today. Marco Polo Ortigas unveils its new lobby centerpiece “Providence” by internationally-recognized Filipino sculptor Angelico “Jik” Villanueva. The work is a four-meter brass installation of a tree branch carrying industrious ants bearing cargo of precious stones symbolizing harvest borne of diligence, as well as nature’s gift of abundance for those who labor. The piece banners the ASR satellite exhibit which carries a roster of top artists presenting large scale works at the Marco Polo ground floor lobby.
During the art fair, experts will also host a series of talks touching upon different topics. Culture and Arts Managers of the Philippines (CAMP) Executive Director Ian Felix Alquiros will discuss how art can be used to address social stigmas. Meanwhile, Cong. Christopher De Venecia talks about government efforts to support the country’s art scene with how the Creative Industries Act impacts visual arts and galleries. Artist, educator, curator, and cultural advocate Abe Orobia invites attendees to take a closer look at history with his talk on art in the colonial periods.
Finally, Atty. Emerson Cuyo of the Intellectual Property Office leads the pack of panelists which will tackle the artists’ moral and economic rights as well as their duties and obligations.
