Cover From Art for Space, a gallery exhibitor this Art Fair PH 2022 (Photo: Art Fair Philippines)

Alongside their virtual platform, Art Fair PH braves the outside world once again with a hybrid event. Here are the events of the 10-day fair from March 23 to April 1 that await us all

We've long awaited the day that Art Fair Philippines goes back to the tangible, must-visit experience we once loved. In this year's edition, the wait is over. From the open-air gardens at the heart of Makati to specific galleries across Metro Manila, as well as some participating art collectives across the country, and way beyond into the virtual realm of the metaverse, the country's premier art fair returns from March 23 to April 1, stronger and bigger.

1. ArtFairPH/Gallery Hop

Art Fair PH organisers Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, Dindin Araneta, and Trickie Lopa encourage art enthusiasts to take time and visit the physical spaces of participating gallery exhibitors. On the Gallery Hop section of the Art Fair PH website, there are designated maps to guide us through the locations of the local shows. 

Read more: Tatler's Easy Guide to Gallery Hopping Around the Metro

2. ArtFairPH/International galleries and regional focus

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Above From A/Terhen (Photo: Art Fair Philippines)

Six international galleries: Art Agenda (Singapore/Jakarta), Gajah Gallery (Singapore/Yogyakarta), Mayoral (Paris/Barcelona), Yavuz Gallery (Singapore/Sydney), Gallery Kogure (Tokyo), and YOD Gallery (Osaka), and two NFT galleries: A/Terhen and Cyber Baat will also present exhibitions at the fair. 

Read more: What Is NFT and Why is it Revolutionising the Filipino Digital Art Community

The fair has always sought to provide a platform for art practices beyond the recognized urban art centres.  This year, several art groups from the three main island clusters of the Philippines will join the fair for a section that provides Regional Focus. These exhibitors are: Ibagiw Art Fest x Gallery 2600 (Luzon), VIVA ExCon Dasun Bacolod x Orange Project (Visayas),  Langgikit x Museo De Oro x Art Portal Gallery (Mindanao), and Liwag-diwa x Gallery Down South (Mindanao).

3. ArtFairPH/Projects: Check out exhibitions at Ayala Tower One fountain area and Ayala Triangle Gardens

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Above Map of the Art Fair Philippines 2022 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens (Photo: Art Fair Philippines)

Live at the heart of the Makati central business district, the Art Fair PH maximises the garden space and fountain area by featuring special exhibitions of the late Arô Soriano and notable social realist Nune Alvarado. Catch also the newly commissioned works from both internationally established and rising Filipino virtual artists such as Bjorn Calleja, Johanna Helmuth, Ryan Jara, Doctor Karayom, Tyang Karyel, Aze Ong, and Wyndelle Remonde. Also in this section is Melvin Guirhem, the 2022 recipient of the Karen H. Montinola Selection, a private grant created in homage to art patron Karen Montinola. A special project introduces the Filipino audience to the inflatable sculpture of Russian artist Sasha Frolova. 

This section is co-presented by the Bank of the Philippine Islands and designed by Norman Crisologo and Ed Lacson.

 

4. ArtFairPH/Photo: Dig deeper into our culture of fashion photography

Curated by impactful fashion photographers in the country, Neal Oshima, Michael Salientes, Mark Nicdao, and Gio Panlilio, this section will explore the exhibit entitled “Tattoos, Ternos and Couture, A Celebration of Philippine Fashion Photography”.

Read more: Mark Nicdao Talks About Photography, Industry Challenges, and His Career Highlights

5. ArtFairPH/Film: Check out Jeremy Couillard's masterpieces

From Broadway, New York, the Fuzz Spiral film collection of the new media artist Jeremy Couillard will wrap the digital screens to be mounted at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. Walk around the fair and be transported into the fantastical worlds and new dimensions inspired by the video game Fuzz Dungeon. Moreover, Couillard's new film There Is No Up or Down, Only Attraction will premiere at the event. This particular film explores curious creatures across galactic vistas, pixelated gaming maps, and streetscapes. 

This section is co-presented by Globe Platinum. The OLED screens at the Film section are sponsored by LG Electronics.  

6. ArtFairPH/Residencies: Catch the works of chosen artists-in-residency

Launched in 2021 in partnership with Bleeding Heart Rum Corporation, the makers of Don Papa Rum and Santa Ana Gin, the residency program of Art Fair PH invites all Filipino artists across all disciplines. This serves as an opportunity to deepen the conversation with artists across all disciplines by enabling them to continue their art practice by immersing themselves in environments other than their studios and homes.

To be featured this year are the works of Derek Tumala for Manila Observatory, Hannah Nantes for Linangan Art Residency, Jao San Pedro for Emerging Islands, Alwin Reamillo for Orange Project, and Faye Abantao for Butanding Barrio.

7. ArtFairPH/Trail: Digital meets physical through Augmented Reality (AR)

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Above Leeroy New's 'Aparisyon' (Photo: Art Fair Philippines)

For this year’s edition, Art Fair Philippines is inviting its guests to follow an interactive augmented reality (AR) art trail at the Ayala Triangle Gardens using the Daata AR app.  Named after Leeroy New's artwork Aparisyon (Apparition), this AR Art Trail examines the timeless nature of storytelling through words and imagery, inspired by the Philippines’ thriving speculative fiction. Meanwhile, Eliza Victoria's story entitled Let Me Hold Your Hand serves as an overarching element to the exhibition. It is a meditation on language, illness, betrayal, and forgiveness, narrated by a woman who escapes an enchanted realm and deals with the lingering trauma of her experience.

Read more: AR Art Trail at Art Fair Philippines Features Leeroy New's Creatures

Daata’s presentation also includes artworks premiering in Asia by artists Jeremy Couillard, Eva Papamargariti, Elliot Dodd, Tuomas Laitinen, Keiken, Aaajiao and Florian Meisenberg.

Read more: Dance Film 'Bari-Bari' Tackles Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration Through Dancing

8. ArtFairPH/Metaverse: Browse the website for more art content

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Above Visit artfairphilippines.com to participate in the online activities

In keeping with the fair’s thrust to widen the audience for the visual arts and to continue to expand the appreciation of fair visitors for contemporary art, ArtFairPH/Talks features daily discussions presented in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery, Museum Foundation of the Philippines, and the Embassy of Spain. The talks will be accessible at artfairphilippines.com

This year’s ArtFairPH/Talks will include a series of virtual discussions with Paco Barragán, an independent curator and arts writer based in Madrid, about art collecting and advice for artists. There will also be a panel discussion about NFTs, which was the main focus of last year's edition of Art Fair Philippines. Guests can also look forward to an interesting discussion on the special photo exhibit “Tattoos, Ternos and Couture, A Celebration of Philippine Fashion Photography” with its curators. Moreover, exhibitors in the regional focus of the fair will be opening their doors through the Talks section for further conversations.

Art Fair Philippines 2022 also continues to develop ArtFairPH/Open Studios. For this edition, Art Fair Philippines has collaborated with J Studio and ceramicist Pablo Capati to showcase a three-part series of pottery demos entitled Conversations on Clay with Jezzel Wee, Marco Rosario, Ella Mendoza, Krista Nogueras, Jon Pettyjohn and Joey de Castro. 

The fair will also continue to present virtual art tours. In the pipeline for ArtFairPH/Tours is Baguio Artists Studio Visits: Part 2, a continuation of last year’s video documentation of visits to artists’ studios by Nona Garcia, Abbie Lara and Kawayan de Guia.

9. 10 Days of Art

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Above James Clar's 'I Can't Tell You What I Don't Know, Only That I Don't Know' (Photo: Art Fair Philippines)

Also complementing the fair is the 10 Days of Art initiative, a series of events around the Makati Central Business District in celebrating art beyond the venue of the fair.

Read more: A New Era Begins for Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library

As in previous years, the public may visit art installations around Makati City.  This year’s three major public art exhibits will include an art installation by James Clar called I Can't Tell You What I Don't Know, Only That I Don't Know at the plinth in front of the Ayala Museum. Works by Juanito Torres and Norman Dreo, two solo exhibits in conversation under the title Perspectives,  will also be on view at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery.  For schedule and updates, visit 10daysofart.com.

For more information on this year’s program and schedule of activities, please visit the Art Fair Philippines website artfairphilippines.com and follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram (@artfairph) and Facebook.

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