Art Fair Philippines 2018 quick guide: Don’t touch the art but feel free to stay

Art Fair Philippines grows ever bigger and on its sixth edition, it embraces its role as a platform for art education and beyond.

At the launch on Wednesday, co-founders Trickie Lopa, Lisa Periquet, and Dindin Araneta introduced the significant changes in this year’s fair.

Addressing the overwhelming amount of visitors last year, ArtFairPH is implementing a timed entry: 10am to 1:30pm, 2pm to 5pm, and 5:30pm to 9pm.

The timed entry is simply a way to manage the flow of visitors, as is the conversion of the ramp into an entry way and the third floor as a holding area.

Guests no longer have to queue along the sidewalk and the narrow hall to wait for the elevators.

They are free to stay to look at the art, there are no imposed time limits, and they will not be asked to leave.

Tickets may now be purchased online up to 24 hours before entry as well.

The fourth floor will serve as the reception, while the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors will house the art from the 51 participating galleries this year.

A guided tour of the Art Fair is available daily from 11am to 12pm. There will also be tours to the National Museum of Fine Arts, Ayala Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the studio of artists Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz on offer.

Legendary filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik leads the artist featured in ArtFairPH/Projects, which takes the place of the featured artists section. The space will host new commissioned works from artists in different stages of their careers, with Tahimik presenting wooden sculptures that focus on “borrowed myths.”

Kidlat Tahimik

Expect a biting commentary of current events from social realist collective Kaisahan (Antipas Delotovato, Renato Habulan, and Pablo Baen Santos) and recipient of Karen Montenola section Alvin Zafra.

Leonard Aguinaldo, Lyra Garcellano, and Nilo Ilarde will no doubt also dominate Instagram as casual fair-goers flock to their sections.

Beyond the ‘gram

In the age of “insta” moments, Art Fair Philippines takes a step to highlight photography as art with ArtFairPH/PHOTO.

A section of the fair will showcase the work of Neal Oshima titled “Kin”, a series that pays visual tribute to the Austronesian people and their traditions.

Oshima has also partnered with Angelica Velasco Shaw to curate “Provocations.” The exhibit focuses on documentary photography and will feature the work of 15 established and emerging photographers.

Selected photographs taken by Filipino-Catalan photographer Eduardo Masferre organized by 1335 Mabini is another highlight of the show. Masferre recorded the lives and rituals of the people in Sagada from 1934 and 1956.

Photos from the Julius Baer Collection will also be on view.

Neal Oshima

Beyond the exhibits

The 10 Days of Art continues, with public art installations by Martha Atienza, Leeroy New, and Reg Yuson being the main draw.

ArtFairPH/Talks remains a way for people to learn more about art. “Between Worlds” curators Russel Storer and Lisa Chikiamco are among the speakers at the forum, which will also feature conversations with Manila Biennale curators and artists. — LA, GMA News

Art Fair Philippines 2018 will be held at The Link Carpark from March 1 to 4.

10 Days of Art runs from February 23 to March 4.

For ticket information and other inquiries visit artfairphilipines.com