Cover Jefrë and Olivia D’Aboville for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Jove Moya)
Jefrë and Olivia D’Aboville for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Jove Moya)
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In this exclusive interview, visual artists Jefrë and Olivia d’Aboville tell Tatler all about their collaboration with Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art
The masters have a nuanced relationship with their art. For the longest time, I mused at their works with this thought at the back of my mind: a man must do it for himself first because to draw this fire and passion from a place beyond his soul seems unforgivable—to me at least because I am no artist, and I might hold perverse views.
Samsung Performing Arts Theater managing director Chris Mohnani seems disenchanted with this idea. In the middle of our interview, he maintained that no artist has truly given birth to a piece reserved only for themselves.
“Let me correct that statement,” he tells me. “Artists don’t make art for themselves. That’s the whole point. That's why they are called ‘artists’. It's because they want to share their art.”
In case you missed it: In Conversation With Junyee: The Father Of Installation Art In The Philippines
Above Jefrë presents 'Talking Heads' Ayala Land's 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Jefrë presents 'Talking Heads' Ayala Land's 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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Art is a communal experience for Mohnani and the two artists whose works were showcased at Circuit Makati to celebrate Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art. After all, the pieces in question are for public consumption.
Filipino-American visual artist Jefrë brought his Talking Heads series to the upper ground level of Ayala Malls Circuit. The installation featured a group of suspended plastic vacuum-shaped heads illuminated by brightly coloured neon lights. Each light represented an affirmation written in different languages. Through this work, the artist celebrates individuality while emphasising the need for a collective experience.
Meanwhile, mall-goers have seen French-Filipino artist Olivia d’Aboville’s Wonderland of Lights once again, this time on the lower ground level of the said mall, merging her sustainable efforts with her artistic vision.
More from Tatler: Artists Solenn Heussaff and Olivia d’Aboville celebrate their life-long friendship through ‘Vīta’ at the Provenance Art Gallery
Above Olivia d’Aboville presents ‘Wonderland of Lights’ for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Olivia d’Aboville presents ‘Wonderland of Lights’ for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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“This particular installation was created during Covid for my first solo show at the Orlando Museum of Art in the US. It was a significant moment for me, as it marked my solo exhibition in a museum there,” says Jefrë.
The artist adds that this work reflects his Covid experience. He reads to me a poem that goes along with the art—he says it describes the hype around his big sculptures, the recognition and awards he garnered and how the pandemic upended everything. “The voices in my head chant in unison: ‘I am love, I am free, I am passionate, I am brave.’”
The installation consists of translucent plexiglass heads, which feature words in different languages. “My work is a reminder that, despite our various thoughts and beliefs, we are all part of the same human race. During Covid, however, we didn’t always treat each other this way.”
Above Jefrë’s ‘Talking Heads’ is showcased at Ayala Land’s ‘10 Days of Art’ (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Jefrë’s ‘Talking Heads’ is showcased at Ayala Land’s ‘10 Days of Art’ (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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My work is a reminder that, despite our various thoughts and beliefs, we are all part of the same human race
For her part, D’Aboville talks about her work, giant dandelions. This exhibition, commissioned by Art House Philippines, was inspired by the late Nena Saguil. “The other week, they opened a major exhibition of her work, and my display serves as a satellite exhibit, drawing from the same thematic elements present in Saguil’s works,” she explains.
D’Aboville clarifies that while the concept of her giant dandelions isn't new, she modified the layout for this exhibition to reflect Saguil’s signature style. “Particularly her abstract use of dots,” she says.
“Her focus on circles, curves, and lines greatly influenced the arrangement of the dandelions. Drawing from her depiction of the cosmos, constellations, and interlacing circles, I tailored the installation to be site-specific,” the artist explains.
The dandelions are placed so that, from the higher levels of the mall or the tall buildings in the back, viewers can see a pattern of dots and waves created by their placement—much like Saguil’s iconic designs.
Above Olivia D’Aboville’s ‘Wonderland of Lights’ at night for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Above Olivia D’Aboville’s ‘Wonderland of Lights’ during daytime for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Olivia D’Aboville’s ‘Wonderland of Lights’ at night for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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Nena Saguil’s focus on circles, curves, and lines greatly influenced the arrangement of the dandelions. Drawing from her depiction of the cosmos, constellations, and interlacing circles
Interactivity in art
D’Aboville hopes her audience will engage with her and connect deeply with her works. Unlike the more restrictive environment of museums, she emphasises that for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art, the public is encouraged to touch and interact with the giant dandelions, offering a more immersive and accessible experience.
“These water bottles were collected—over 13,000 of them—from Solaire Resort and Casino in just a matter of days. Water is readily available in the casino area, which leads to a significant amount of waste. While the bottles are typically compressed and recycled, Solaire was our partner for this exhibit and kindly collected the bottles for us,” she says about the materials she used.
“Visitors can walk around and touch the plastic bottles, which is allowed, and on windy days, you can see the bottles shake. This creates an experience that attracts not only children but adults as well,” she adds.
Related: In Her Element: Olivia D’Aboville
Above Olivia D’Aboville for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Olivia D’Aboville for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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As an artist whose towering sculptures grace the bustling heart of the Metro, Jefrë is no stranger to the notion of art as a shared experience open to all who encounter it. “[My installation] involves the use of different languages. You can listen to the sounds and reflect on what they all mean. You can sit underneath and just contemplate,” he says.
Jefrë says dancers from a ballet theatre came in and already used the space underneath his art to perform. “They spontaneously decided to perform beneath the sculptures. I didn’t plan it—they simply saw the space and felt compelled to be part of it. It’s about allowing other creators to use what’s been created as a canvas to create something new and different.”
The artist explains that the dynamics of the space can shift depending on how people choose to engage with it, and that's the beauty of creating something genuinely interactive.
“That’s what makes art public—engagement, not personalisation. Unlike art confined to a studio or a private home, public art invites participation and shared experience.”
Above Dancers perform beneath Jefrë's ‘Talking Heads’ for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
Dancers perform beneath Jefrë's ‘Talking Heads’ for Ayala Land’s 10 Days of Art (Photo: Ayala Malls Circuit)
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At its core, art at Circuit Makati is envisioned as a space for communal experience—whether through visual arts, performance, or interactive installations.
“Art is meant to affect people; it is intended to be appreciated. The essence of creating art is to share it—to allow others to experience and connect with it,” Mohnani concludes.
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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.
