Jay and Lee Amante with a piece by Lynyrd Paras at the Blanc booth
For the first time in an art event, I found myself watching the people present more than I looked at the art on display.
Siblings Enzo and Bea Camacho at the Silverlens Booth
But perhaps I can be excused. It isn’t everyday that we have our first art fair. And the fact that it drew crowds is cause for celebration. Personally, I prefer fairs that throw in experimental and conceptual art into the mix. Also, less paintings hanged in a slapdash manner. But no matter, maybe for the next one.
Manilart 09 is at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City from 16 to 19 July 2009.
Assemblage of Julius Clar collages at Silverlens booth
Detail of Dex Fernandez collage at Pablo
Julie Lluch Burning House at Duemila
Ryan Rubio stone sculpture from sedimentary rock at Artiscorpus Gallery
An old favorite, Leonardo Aguinaldo rubbercut piece
An awesome Mariano Ching at the Silverlens booth
Benjie Bisaya sculpture at Renaissance Gallery
Sylvia Gascon and Vita Sarenas at the Finale booth with a Bembol dela Cruz tattoo painting at back
Winner Jumalon, Julie Centeno, and Yorkie Gomez
Singapore Biennale curator Yeyey Cruz and Annie Sarthou
Norman Dreo at Artiscorpus Gallery
Romulo Olazo pieces at Paseo Gallery
Andy Estela and Rommel Pascual at the Boston Gallery booth
Artists Lyra Garcellano and Jonathan Ching
A piece by sculptor Joel Alonday at the Art Informal booth
Artists Jose John Santos III and Pamela Yan Santos with Bobbit Nolasco of Kulay Diwa
Silvana Diaz at her booth with one of Junyee's Pintados
New parents Toddy and Mel Francisco
An Alwin Reamillo collage at Manila Contemporary
Tina Fernandez and Michelle Tomacruz with a Tatong Torres self portrait at the Art Informal booth
Sculptor Michael Cacnio with his piece
Detail at the top of Michael Cacnio's ladder
From a young painter named Johm at the Kaida booth
Pablo Gallery
Jaime Laya, Paulino, Mario, and Mimi Que, Stanley Chan , Yorkie Gomez, Babita Anido, and Hetty Que
Jose Tence Ruiz at Galerie Astra
Delan Robillos, Gigo Alampay, Fr. Tito Caluag, Bong Verzosa of Choice Expressions Gallery
By Felix Bacolor at Manila Contemporary's booth
Valentine Willie and Joanne Que Young at Manila Contemporary's booth
Abby Binay and husband Luis Campos
Now, now, Manilaartblogger, this is only our first art fair. I remember leaving a comment here before about how we can’t expect too much (of this art fair) too soon. Yes, there wasn’t a lot of conceptual art but they’re not totally absent, there was a few. I was actually more surprised at how there’s very little photography on display considering Silverlens was exhibiting. Maybe it has to do with the fact that most of our galleries are still trying to feel their way through an art fair. Most, probably, never had the chance to join an art fair before. I could only think of The Drawing Room as the most seasoned Filipino player in international art fairs but, surprisingly, they did not take part. If we’re lucky, and ManilArt proved to be a success in the coming years, then the natural progression is to have offshoots of this fair. Some would be asking for an all-Filipino affair, an affordable one (like Art in the Park), young contemporary, or a strictly conceptual art fair. That last one would make Manilaartblogger happy, wouldn’t it? Don’t you worry, we’ll get there in the end. I was also there on opening night, and if that evening serves as any indication of how future fairs will fare, then it’s looking good for ManilArt.
Please don’t get me wrong, I thought it was great. Just wanted more variety. But as I said, perhaps for the next one.