Urban enclaves have long symbolized the apparent lack of culture and creativity of a city gridlocked roads, towering buildings of concrete, and denizens far too busy to make it to their next appointment to make time for anything else.
Yet Makati has always bucked this trend the dynamic nature of the country’s premiere business district not only makes it the preferred address of the country’s largest corporations, it’s also becoming a haven for free-spirited artists, writers, performers, musicians and all around creative-types who have come to appreciate the diversity of what Makati has to offer.
Peppered with numerous galleries, theaters and museums, complemented by a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational activities, all roads invariably lead to Makati and this month, it puts the spotlight on Philippine contemporary art, as it plays host once again to Art Fair Philippines.
The city has hosted this signature attraction since 2013 and it has become a platform for showcasing Filipino talent while making it accessible to more people. “This is an initiative that really illustrates our belief in Filipino creativity and artistry. More importantly, it gives us a chance to make it accessible to everyone from the professionals who work and play in Makati to the younger millennial generation who have since come to appreciate the diversity of the global art scene,” says Meean Dy, Senior Vice President of Ayala Land and Group Head of Strategic Landbank Management.
Co-presented by Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Platinum, Julius Baer, and Bench, with major sponsors Make It Makati, Ayala Land Premiere, and Volkswagen, Art Fair Philippines culled some of the best galleries not only in the Philippines but in the region, putting the best modern and contemporary artwork up for display. In between, art enthusiasts can join the various talks tackling art collection, curating, photography, video or new media, just to name a few.
Participating galleries include 1335Mabini, Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea, Archivo 1984 Gallery, Arndt, Art Cube, Artesan Gallery + Studio, ArtInformal, Art Verite Gallery, Avellana Art Gallery, Blanc, Boston Art Gallery, CANVAS, Edouard Malingue Gallery, Equator Art Projects, Finale Art File, Gajah Gallery, GaleriaCayon, Galleria Duemila, Galerie Michael Janssen, Galerie Stephanie, Galerie Anna, Gallery Kogure, Gallery Orange, J Studio, MO_Space, Nunu Fine Art, PABLO, Paseo Art Gallery, Pinto Art Gallery, Salcedo Private View, Secret Fresh, Silverlens, TAKSU Gallery, The Crucible, The Drawing Room, Tin-Aw Art Gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, West Gallery, Yavuz Gallery, and YOD Gallery.
Aside from the stunning galleries, two levels of the main fair present a curated section showcasing solo presentations of top-notch artists. ArtFairPH/Talks, the fair’s educational component,will be conducted at the third level. This will comprise daily talks with various topics that will touch on art history, art market, and contemporary art practices. Art Fair Philippines worked hand in hand with the Ateneo Art Gallery to make all these possible and available for fair-goers.
Brisbane-based Filipino husband and wife tandem Alfredo + Isabel Aquilizan lead the Special Exhibits of the fair.This power couple is known for the striking profile and their participation in numerous highly commended art events from different parts of the world.Lineup also include Mark Justiniani, Martha Atienza, Nona Garcia, At Maculangan, Raffy Napay, Mac Valdezco, and Pamela Yan Santos.
“Every year more and more people look forward to this cultural showcase, which we believe mirrors the vibrant and burgeoning art scene in Makati. Makati is a place with a creative energy that is steadily building through the years and through major initiatives such as this, we are able to put it on the map as one of the most exciting destinations to explore,” ends Dy.
For more information about the city that makes it happen, visit www.makeitmakati.com.