In the past year, we’ve all gotten used to how our everyday lives have transitioned online. We’re now no stranger to the infinite possibilities of the internet, and it seems that Art Fair Philippines can definitely vouch for that, too.
Following the success of the popular affordable art fair Art in the Park, art lovers are in for another treat because Art Fair Philippines is here and ready to bring its annual event online this time around this May 6 to May 15, 2021! The best part? It’s absolutely free.
Here are five things you need to know about this year’s Art Fair Philippines:
1. Everything’s Online!
As you may have guessed, this year’s art fair can’t exactly operate as they did pre-pandemic. Although, that didn’t stop the team from planning out a completely immersive and innovative experience for art lovers and connoisseurs alike with their first-ever online showcases and exhibits, featuring 43 exhibitors from the Philippines and abroad! A messaging service per exhibit will also be readily available, allowing visitors to speak with the gallery as well as the artists. These will be made available through their online viewing rooms, which will also include videos produced in collaboration with Globe Studios.
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Two virtual tours are also in the works, namely: a studio visit with acclaimed artist Alfredo Esquillo and a look at the singular collection of filmmaker and current Baguio resident Moira Lang, known for their work in films such as Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017), and Patay na si Hesus (2016).
For a full list of exhibitors this year, you can check out their website here.
2. The spotlight is on Digital Art
In light of the New Normal, Art Fair Philippines puts its focus on Digital Art. In collaboration with Daata, a digital platform that commissions original digital artworks by established and emerging artists, this year’s fair will be exhibiting digital artworks by new media and contemporary artists Jeremy Couillard and Petra Cortright, and Keiken, a collaborative practice co-founded by artists Tanya Cruz, Hana Omori, and Isabel Ramos. Not only that, but they will also debut several digital artworks specially commissioned for ArtFairPH/Film, which will also be available to stream or download on any device!
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3. Learning is Made Easier with ArtFairPH/Talks and Open Studios
Non-Fungible Tokens or NFTs have recently been making headlines all over the world. With that, Art Fair Philippines 2021 will take on its promise of art education by allowing their visitors to understand the crypto basics, to buying an NFT, and meeting artists and gallerists that are embedded within the crypto art community, providing the basics for visitors who aren’t aware of the crypto-universe.
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They will also be continuing their workshop-series dubbed Open Studios, featuring a selection of live demonstrations and recorded instructionals aimed to give fair visitors a more hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of art-making.
4. They Will Be Introducing the First-Ever ArtFairPH/Residencies Project
This year, Art Fair Philippines will also be launching its new artist residency project in partnership with Bleeding Heart Rum Corporation, the makers of Don Papa Rum, called ArtFairPH/Residencies. Here, 5 artists will be selected based on their submitted portfolios, and will be paired with art spaces and galleries from different parts of the Philippines—including Manila Observatory in Quezon City, Linangan Art Residency in Alfonzo, Cavite, Emerging Islands in San Juan, La Union, The Orange Project in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and Barrio Butanding in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
This program is open to all Filipino artists across all disciplines, and the participating artists’ projects will be presented at Art Fair Philippines 2022.
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5. 10 Days of Art is Back!
Initially created to generate buzz for the art fair back in 2018, the 10 Days of Art initiative will still be carried on this year, despite the fair’s pivot to a digital platform. You’ll be able to find this installation in Ayala Tower One’s fountain area, with live screenings of the selections of ArtFairPH/Film digital artworks.
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