Here’s What to Expect at the ManilART Fair 2024

As a country, we’ve prided ourselves in expressing ourselves through various forms of artworks. It’s no secret that local artists, both current and in previous decades, have proven themselves time and again. But what exactly makes a specific art piece Filipino? Is there some sort of mark that makes it so?

Perhaps the beauty of Philippine art lies in its abundance. Such is what ManilART is celebrating. So much of local art is defined by its complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness—which is actually the theme of the art fair. This ties in perfectly with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)’s 2024 Museums and Galleries Monththeme: “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain”. Any good harvest provides bountiful and diverse produce, and this describes Philippine creativity quite accurately. 

The Diverse Perspectives

Artists get inspiration from many places: folklore, international trends, varying philosophies and schools of thought—you name it. What happens as a result is an array of different perspectives when it comes to creative outputs. The techniques employed in each work of art tells a different story. And yet if you were to look at it as a whole, it’s almost mosaic in nature, where each piece is not exactly the same as another but still forms a cohesive overall image. This is our artistic version of bayanihan: a long-time deeply Filipino trait of community that shines through to every activity. 

The Artists to See

There’s a different sort of art for anyone to see, with an exciting lineup. Glass master Ramon Orlina’s showcase is coupled with the launch of his biography, and viewers can expect some filigreed translucent ostrich egg carvings by ManilART Head Curator Danny Rayos del Sol. There will also be a display of insects and birds made of giant brass created by Jik Villanueva, along with Ombok Villanueva’s wall-bound.

The “Art” in Artificial

If the concept of bayanihan has long been a part of our culture, what about the more innovative aspects? For one, there’s been a lot of discourse as to how AI affects art. One of the ManilART exhibitions entitled Plugged Into Fernalia—Art in the Age of AI explores these different thoughts. Viewers will be able to compare man-made pieces as they are displayed alongside AI-generated works. Both local and international artists are part of this intriguing lineup: Noel Sadicon, Isobel Francisco, Christian Townsend, and Peter Gric, to name a few.

You can catch the ManilART fair this Oct. 9-13 at the SMX Aura Convention Center. Get your tickets here.

Text by Tim Marasigan