Cover Saint Andrew the Apostle Church (Photo: The Digital Skyline/Wordpress)
Saint Andrew the Apostle Church (Photo: The Digital Skyline/Wordpress)
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There are priceless artworks displayed outside galleries, here's where to spot some of them
In Metro Manila, every street has a story. The place is filled with decades-old buildings, quaint old restaurants that offer heirloom recipes, and even priceless artworks that only take a pair of keen eyes to notice.
In case you missed: 10 Important Monuments in Metro Manila
In this write-up, Tatler lists some of the metro’s most precious gifts—pieces of art that are not inside museums and galleries. Be prepared to wander the city as we give you a glimpse of the fragment of the Berlin wall, Arturo Luz’s paperclip series, and more.
More from Tatler: 5 things to know about the National Museum of the Philippines
1. Arturo Luz’s ‘Paperclip’ series
Above (Photo: Phoenixperience)
(Photo: Phoenixperience)
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In his Paper Clip series, National Artist Arturo Luz gives a nod to Isamu Noguchi. The latter was a landscape architect who is known for his sculptures, gardens, furniture and lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, landscapes and set designs. Some of his best works were seen in Martha Graham Productions, the oldest professional dance school in the United States.
Luz’s work projects stability and architectural balance in the form of a deconstructed paperclip. A part of his work used to be in front of the Ayala Museum in Makati. Now you can see it at Ayala Triangle Gardens.
2. Vicente Manansala and Leandro Locsin at Saint Andrew the Apostle Church
(Photo: The Yellow Pages)
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Built-in 1968, the church of St Andrew the Apostle in Bel-Air, Makati is, in itself, a work of art. Its butterfly-shaped floor plan and its tent-like structure were designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V Locsin.
Read more: The influence of Leandro Locsin in shaping the Philippines’ architectural design
The church houses another work of art. Its giant chandelier, which can be seen over the altar was designed by another National Artist, Vicente Manansala.
Overall, the church's structure gives off a Space Age style which was prominent in the Sixties. The design revolved around the idea of pushing boundaries through the use of unconventional materials and silhouettes.
3. Fragment of the Berlin wall
Above (Photo: German Embassy Manila)
(Photo: German Embassy Manila)
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On August 13, 2021, the local government of Manila in partnership with the German Embassy in Manila, brought a piece of the Berlin Wall to the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita. The German Democratic Republic started to build the Berlin Wall 62 years ago. This heavily-guarded concrete barrier was meant to physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.
See also: A Dose of History: The Glory Days of Philippine Society Before World War II
4. Off The Wall Manila-Paris Connexions at One Ayala
Above Murals by artists from left: Apok, Nebay and Dex Fernandez. OFF THE WALL MANILA PARIS CONNEXIONS murals at the ONE AYALA Terminal Hub was inaugurated last December 2, 2022. (Photo: Jude Bautista)
Murals by artists from left: Apok, Nebay and Dex Fernandez. OFF THE WALL MANILA PARIS CONNEXIONS murals at the ONE AYALA Terminal Hub was inaugurated last December 2, 2022. (Photo: Jude Bautista)
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To establish diplomatic ties between France and the Philippines, the project Off The Wall Manila Paris Connexions was inaugurated on December 2, 2022, at the One Ayala transport terminal in Makati. It was curated by Claire Thibaud-Piton from Rose Studio Art Gallery in Paris.
The event was spearheaded by French Ambassador Michele Boccoz, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Ayala Land Estates Group Head Robert Lao, Ayala Malls President Chris Maglanoc and MDBI Bouygues Construction (Philippines) COO Joris Thomas.
5. Napoleon Abueva's 'Sunburst'
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On the ceiling of The Peninsula Manila's lobby is a 12-metre artwork by National Artist for Sculpture, Napoleon Abueva. Titled Sunburst, it has 21 rays and 33 spears crafted from copper, bronze, and stainless steel.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
