THE PHILIPPINES – AUGUST, 22, 2011 – Asia’s latest art fair, ManilArt, is back for the third year to shine the spotlight on Filipino artists and art pieces revered in the global art scene. ManilArt 2011 will be open to the public on August 25 to 27, 2011 at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
"The buzzword right now is ‘creative industry’. We are looking at this event as a model for the creative industry," said Malou Jacob, National Commission on Culture and the Arts Executive Director.
Atty. Imelda Luste, Head of the National Commission on Art Galleries, noted that the fair hopes to rival art fairs in Singapore and Hong Kong, while Bonafide Art Galleries Organization President Jonathan Sy said that ManilArt 2011 hopes to attract more visitors than the 8,000 visitors last year.
With over 300 art pieces; representation from the top galleries in the Philippines; and discourses on everything from semiotics to internet art, Manila Art 2011 is touted to be the biggest review of Philippine art. There are fewer exhibitors this year compared to last year’s SMX outing due to space, time and budget constraints.
Highly regarded artist Elmer Borlongan’s painting “Batang Edsa” is the face of the art fair, which will show 24 galleries presenting unique concepts for their exhibitions.
ManilArt 2011 seeks to merge the visual arts with other disciplines. Programs will include a modern-dance interpretation of Borlongan’s art by premier contemporary-dance maven and Dance Forum founder, Myra Beltran during the by-invitation gala on August 24.
The ManilArt lecture series this year includes “Semiotics in Visual Art” by Oscar V. Campomanes; and “How We Turn Paintings into Bicycles: Lessons in Art, Law, and the Internet,” by Gigo Alampay. In commemoration of National Hero José Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary, award-winning poet, fictionist, playwright, and essayist Vim Nadera will give a talk titled “Visuals on Rizal Today.”
Delan Robillos, Manilart 11 Project Director says that events during the fair cater to the new generation of art fans, with readings of children’s books illustrated by artists. Radio and TV personalities, Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines and Ramon Bautista, have also been invited to read. Artists in Residence, Inc. (AIR) will give a lecture on basic drawing.
Secret Fresh presents a toy auction and a talk by Publicis Manila’s JP Cuison on the inspiration behind the Rizalborg and his Gigzilla line of posters, aside from an introduction to the custom art and collectible art toys scene on August 27.
ManilArt 2011 is presented by the BAGO and the NCCA. Concession rates are available for special interest groups. For details, call 5316231 or 0917-8511333, or e-mail info@manilart.com. Visit www.manilart.com.
