Everything you need to know about Benilde Open Design and Art 2024

• Exploring the Use of Philippine Silk in Tausug Pisyabit Weaving by Rambie Lim proposes to bridge the gap between suppliers, dyers, and weavers to possibly bring about the renaissance of traditional Tausug textiles by working with weavers from Padirna Sanaani of Parang, Sulu and Ruhina Muhaimer of Maimbung, Sulu. 
• Unravelling Baguio’s Inner Tapestry: A Psychogeographical Exploration Through Sensory Encounters by Gabe Mercado employs creative interventions and collaborative practices to deconstruct dominant tourist narratives and engage participants in a critical and embodied understanding of the city’s multifaceted identity through unscripted walks by a team of expert artists and explorers.

• Maria, Maria by Lala Monserrat, in collaboration with Russ Ligtas, Geric Cruz, and Jazel Kristin, is a conversation between resident artists of Casa San Miguel Center for the Arts in the coastal town of San Antonio, Zambales, and a spirited group of young LGBTQ locals residing in Barangay San Miguel. It fosters collaborative work and collective care for artists and the public. 
• Cosmic Garden by Issay Rodriguez asks: How can the synergy of art and agriculture 4.0 technologies drive innovation towards positive outcomes rather than instilling fear? Inspired by the phrase, “as above, so below”, the artist aims to evoke the intricate relationship between the universe and earthly gardens, exploring it through the unique perspective of bees. 
• Developing Puppetry in the Philippines by Mikayla Teodoro aims to introduce new puppetry arts to turn the country into a puppetry hub in Southeast Asia by exploring advanced mechanisms in puppetry.

• CURIOUS: Spotlight on Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Literature by Michael Vea focuses on integrating FSL Literature within the landscape of Philippine literary arts through a pioneering creative signing workshop and an exhibition featuring works from five Deaf literary fellows.
• Special mention: Baluy Manghagdaway: A Functional Installation Art Created in Collaboration with the Umayamnon Community of Barangay Mandahican, Lambagan and Mandaing Municipality of Cabanglasan by Errol P Balcos is about a visual artist’s advocacy for the rights of corn gleaners as Indigenous Peoples. Must public art, such as installations, be situated in parks in urban areas? If installations can be exhibited in remote areas such as corn farms, can they be functional and livable for the Umayamnon? 

Related: Ayala Museum partners with AIA Philippines Art Collection and showcases works from Rizal, Kiukok, Edades

Seventeen student proposals have also been selected for the Best of Benilde category. The students receive full curatorial support.

• Designing Space for Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and Ryan Jacobson’s “Can you Survive Dracula” by Louisa Ray Cagaligen is an immersive, stylised exhibition space.
  
• The Local Identity by Xandrix Antaso Corpuz Jr is an open-service directory that brings together emerging creative practitioners.

• Ang Paglipad ng Saranggola sa Aplaya by Danielle Cusi is an unrealised film thesis project about Diane’s beloved Mangyan friend, Rosie, who dreams of completing her education.
  
• Hugo: A Smart Pillow for Self-Regulation by Asia Entico is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological device that stimulates the vagus nerve through vibrations.
  
• Hustlers by Gela Mae C Gamil is a platform for freelance physical labourers.
  
• Everglow Art Retreats by Veronica Landig is a fully inclusive yoga and art centre.
  
• Biyahe: Design of a Board Game for Visual Impaired Filipinos by Pia Maghirang is a game to use during therapy sessions for visually impaired children.
  
• PXXXXXXPORN.JPEG by Earl John Marquez is an AR exhibition about the system of consuming poverty porn content.
  
• Sinulid 2023: Renascence by Earl John Marquez, Rexcel Cariaga, and Dars Juson is a video production and hybrid exhibition that features fashion design collections.

• Project Noir by Camille Jay Pinton is a curated clothing collection that addresses environmental and social challenges in the Philippine fashion industry.
  
• Gender Reveal by Brian Ilustrisimo Razon is an exhibit exploring the intricacies of the human gender, celebrating the art of drag, and promoting gender equality.
  
• STUDEN.SITE (Student Residences Website) by Jonas Roque is a website platform for up-to-date, verified, affordable housing options in the vicinity of Taft
  
• Surreal Portraits by Akira Watanabe is a photography exhibition on experimental, creative and surreal portraiture.
  
• PROJECT C.H.A.R.L.I.E (Computerized Hotel Assessment Responder and Learning Intelligence Engine) by Liezel Ann Nierves, Glaeor Magne Dominguez, Mariana Julian Bernal with faculty mentor Alejandro Hector Reyes is a primary virtual entity of innovation designed for hotel guests

• Ballpark (Benilde All-Purpose Parking) by Jonas Fabian Roque, Shane Mariel Figuerra, Charles Cedric Quianzon, John Patrick Pascua, and Maria Abigail Uson is a design project of a creative parking facility that promotes green mobility.
  
• Layag by Jasmine Fiona Tan, Sofia Anjelik Barrion, and Ynes Sofia Manguerra is a design of a pavilion to promote the economic and cultural industries of the Zamboanga Peninsula.
  
• The Kid in Me by Jasmila Clarisse San, Mary Julianne Capistrano, Mary Joy Velarde, Alfred Alavar, and Nicus Villaluna is an interactive book that delves into the phenomenon of the inner child.

Read more: Michael Varcas on why he takes photographs of the Philippines in its purest form

After two successful outings at key exhibition spaces, Art Sonje Center in Seoul, Korea, and the Red Brick Museum in Beijing, China, Heidi Bucher: and pull yesterday into today comes to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila as part of the launch of Benilde Open Design + Art. 

The renowned Swiss artist is one of the most important and groundbreaking artists of the international neo-avant-garde. Trained as a dressmaker who studied fashion and textiles at the Zurich School of Arts and Crafts under Johannes Itten, a key member of the Bauhaus, Bucher’s practice developed to encompass architecture, spatial installations, drawings, sculptures, and collaborative performances.

Apart from the exhibit is a conversation on Heidi Bucher featuring her sons, Indigo and Mayo. Guests should also look forward to a series of performances by the Bachelor in Performing Arts, Major in Dance programme students. 

Free weekly guided tours are also offered to the public at the Benilde Open, Best of Benilde, and Heidi Bucher: and pull yesterday into today exhibit.

Additionally, the Benilde Open grantees and Best of Benilde students offer talks and activities on puppetry, psychogeography, performance, fashion, and board games. Meanwhile, the Benilde faculty offers workshops on printmaking, prosthetics, intellectual property, and lesson plan design, with exhibitions open to students, faculty, and non-Benildeans. 

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