Art Fair Philippines 2014

Time is indeed flying so fast, and just like that the 2nd Art Fair Philippines has just opened and it will be open to the public starting today, February 20 until February 23, 2014. And just like last year, it is still at the 6th and 7th floor of The Link, Ayala Center, Makati City.

I was one of the lucky few who got to see first the pieces that will be on display as the organizer decided this year to hold a collectors' day a day before the official opening. I'm not a collector, but luckily, since I'm now connected to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, and Kenneth Cobonpue, who is one of the featured artists of this fair, has chosen his latest piece, The First Light, to be on display in this exciting and artistically orgasmic display of Filipino artistry - which by the way is created to help raise funds for the families affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda, local name) - I am here!

This year's Art Fair Philippines still features modern and contemporary art, but with a much wider space with the exhibition venue designed by Leandro V. Locsin and styled by design luminary Kenneth Cobonpue, more galleries were showcased, both local and international, but still with emphasis to local ingenuity.

Participating galleries include Altro Mondo, Archivo, Art Cube, Art Informal, Avellana Art Gallery, Blac, Boston Gallery, CANVAS, Crucible, Equator Art Projects, Finale, Galleria Duemilla, Light and Space Contemporary, Liongoren Gallery, Manila Contemporary, MO Space, NOVA, Now Gallery, Pablo Paseo Art Gallery, Secret Fresh, Richard Koh FIne Art, Silverlens, TAKSU, Salcedo Private View, The Drawing Room, Tin-Aw, West Gallery, and 1335 Mabini.

Artists like Rodel Tapaya, who has an on-site installations; Jose John Santos III, who created the reception area piece; Louie Cordero, who created an interactive sport-inspired work; UK-trained artist Pio Abad, who showcased his silk-screened and graphic wallpaper artworks are on this year's fair.

by Daniel Dela Cruz

While National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera's new sculptural works alongside the solo exhibitions by Marina Cruz, Geraldine Javier, and Ronald Ventura filled the second level of the Art Fair, which is also known as the Ayala Art Annex and the Ayala Lounge.

For the art lovers who wanna learn more about contemporary art and art historical movements, Christies, the venerable auction house, will hold the Art Fair Philippines lecture series. The lecture will run on February 20 at 4 p.m. and on February 21 and 22 at 3 p.m.

By Gene Paul Martin

All-day casual dining and cocktails in the early evening courtesy of Kai Restaurant and The Straits Wine Company will be shared to all attendees. The will also be a free Wi-Fi connection throughout the fair, while for those who wish to avail some of the pieces and other memorabilia, Bank of the Philippine Islands is the sole credit card partner.

The Art Fair Philippines 2014 is open from 10 a.m. up to 10 p.m. with an entrance fee of Php150.00. Students who wish to see this fair may get 50% discount upon presenting their school I.D.

Be inspired this Art Month and see the Art Fair Philippines 2014!

Happy Rammmpa!