This year’s Art Fair Philippines’ biggest pull was its change in venue. Having experienced Art Fair through the years, I thought the change was a welcome one that I had no expectations for—not for a lack of belief in the fair’s vision, but more because I had to ask myself the question, “What would Art Fair be like now that it’s no longer at The Link?”
Art Fair Philippines made a new home of the Ayala Triangle Gardens, where it utilized many of the venue’s features, thanks in no small part to Nazareno/Lichuaco, who designed the space, taking inspiration from places of worship and temples to facilitate a peaceful respite from the daily struggles of life. This design choice transported Art Fair visitors from the hectic center of the Makati Central Business District to the verdant, peaceful gardens, where they could fully absorb the art that surrounded them.
I think back on the car park and the vertical layout of the entire venue, getting lost trying to get in and weaving through the crowd of people during the rush of visitors. I look back on those memories fondly, but compared to my experience at the new venue, where the space felt literally and figuratively more open, I believe that this year’s Art Fair blew my expectations out of the park (pun intended). You could feel the thought process behind certain decisions made in the space.
A sira (broken) printer in the Kakakompyuter Mo Yan exhibit
On the two days I was able to attend the Art Fair, I experienced the venue during the day and the night, which offered different sights. While attending the media preview event, I had gotten lost searching for the registration table. The organizers, probably anticipating that people would get lost, had a little transportation hub set up by the tents that would take visitors to the Ayala Towers entrance. I found it considerate of them, knowing that some people may struggle to find the entrance as well as have a difficult time navigating the new area. The little bike tricycle was made of bamboo, and though a bit bumpy, the ride was fun overall!
An art piece that might never have come to fruition if it weren’t for the change in venue was by one of the ArtFair/PH Projects artists, SpY Studio. The anonymous artist put to good use a large tree in the gardens by hanging barrier tape from its branches. The red and white tape cascading down from the tree created a beautiful installation that called for visitors to be more observant of the world around them. Objects or views that would otherwise be overlooked were brought to the forefront of our vision. “I take an element from daily life or from today’s imagery, something everybody has seen, knows, and takes for granted, then I multiply and arrange it in an unprecedented pattern,” SpY Studio said in an interview with Art Fair Philippines. “This alone creates a novel situation for the viewer and sparks an intriguing first impression.” It was indeed an impressive sight that encouraged people to explore underneath the tree. It was people’s introduction to this year’s Art Fair, and their interest to explore the rest of the event.
SpY Studio put to good use a large tree in the gardens by hanging barrier tape from its branches, creating a beautiful installation
Another aspect of the venue that I enjoyed was the sunlight inside Tower 2. It was great being able to experience the venue with the building’s large windows that allowed for natural light to stream in. No hate to the previous venue, but it felt so much better to enjoy your Sunday afternoon of art with that kind of light rather than the harsh installation lights or dimmer lights that illuminated the hallways of the previous venue. Getting your daily dose of vitamin D is important, and it’s a much-needed brain boost when you’re trying to enjoy the gorgeous art all throughout the venue.
Author with friend, Ar. Ae Pastrana, in front of a Manny Garibay piece.
However, not all art pieces benefited from the natural light. If anything, some exhibitions, like Goldie Poblador’s delicate glass pieces, were better enjoyed in a room with minimal lighting. Now, this should have been no problem, as some exhibits were located in different areas of the venue, away from the large windows. But there was also something to appreciate from this, as well. The venue of Ayala Towers had cathedral-high ceilings that were utilized extremely well. Organizers utilized the high ceilings to allow people to appreciate the pieces in ways that The Link might not have been able to allow. Artist Manuel Ocampo’s largest print was on display in all its glory, the magnitude of the piece highlighted by the sheer enormity of the room along, with fellow ArtFair/PH Projects artists. Manny Garibay’s painted pieces, for instance, were arranged in a vertical manner, which likened the experience to being in church and looking at the saints painted on the walls. In Goldie Poblador’s curtained-off area, the high ceilings created an isolated chamber to enjoy the sights and scents of her pieces without the claustrophobia.
Someone might find it strange why I’m obsessed with the space and venue, as opposed to the artworks themselves. But I’d personally be doing a disservice trying to name all the pieces I liked if I tried to squeeze them into a single article. Frankly, I’d be writing a whole book about it if I could!
Having come from a background of real estate development and being a student of life, I’ve come to learn how much a space or its “vibes” can affect us. I believe architecture and interior design are art forms in and of themselves. Practices may be invisible to us, but their effects can greatly influence our day-to-day lives in ways that we couldn’t fathom, unless someone pointed them out to us. We think of space as purely functional—spaces to store things, rest, work. But there is so much more to it than that.
Author with Sen. Risa Hontiveros during the vernissage
When we have a weekend to celebrate art, I also believe in celebrating design choices and features of a venue, as well. If it was as simple as picking a big room to put a bunch of art and people in, then what’s the point? Are we even really properly experiencing art if we don’t give it a space equal to its worth? Thus I believe the change in venue this year was a wonderful move. The Link has served its purpose, and will always be the original home of Art Fair Philippines. But as the years have gone and the fair has grown so much, sometimes we tend to outgrow places. Just as a family can outgrown their single bedroom condo to move into a new home, Art Fair Philippines has found a new place
