A New Contemporary Art Museum Is Rising Soon in Makati
It's going to be at the bustling Circuit Makati estate.
(SPOT.ph) Good news: The Ayala Museum is getting a sister—sort of.
The Ayala Foundation has officially announced the construction of a new contemporary art museum in Circuit Makati. Set to be completed by 2027, this new museum is touted to be a space where Filipinos can enjoy the "epitome of new."
Check out everything we know about this development art aficionados should watch out for.
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Here's what we know so far about the new Contemporary Art Museum rising soon in Circuit Makati:
The new Ayala Contemporary Art Museum will focus on "the art of now," meaning it will be home to art reflective of the present in all the ways art is consumed. From your standard visual art displays of sculptures, paintings, and prints to immersive and interactive installations, performances, films, and digital art, these and more are bound to find a special home in the over 2,900-square-meter gallery and education space.
This new Contemporary Art Museum is an initiative of the Ayala Foundation, the same folks who manage the Ayala Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library.
"Envision a space that serves as an experimental platform for artists to explore innovative concepts in response to the ever-changing world around us. A place that fosters curiosity and creativity, igniting a passion for the new and the now. This center will be a space that showcases contemporary art and nurtures the creative spirit within us all," said Ayala Foundation Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala in a statement to the press.
The Ayala Contemporary Art Museum will be a space for both art appreciation and experimentation. The building will feature double-high ceilings and vast gallery spaces to serve as a space for artists to experiment with different styles and forms, while also having a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces where guests can rest and relax after their tours.
Unlike most museums in the Metro, this new museum will not have permanent exhibits and will not be a collecting museum. Instead, the Ayala Contemporary Art Museum will feature a set of rotating exhibits from contemporary artists (similar to those you can find in Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park) that'll keep art afficionados coming back for more. "The idea is really to be a place for our Filipino artists," says Mariles Gustilo, Senior Director of Ayala Museum.
More information about the artists and galleries to be tapped for the new contemporary museum will be released once a new artistic director for the contemporary museum takes the helm.
The Ayala Contemporary Art Museum building design
The design for the new Ayala Contemporary Art Museum was conceptualized by renowned architect Kulapat Yantrasast and his firm, WHY Architecture, in partnership with Lor Calma & Partners. Both Yantrasast and Calma are go-to names in cultural buildings, with the former the brains behind major museum renovation projects such as the Rockefeller Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the new wing of The Louvre. Meanwhile Calma—whose portfolio includes the Mind Museum in BGC and the Museum of Contemporary Art at the College of St. Benilde School of Design and Art—will be adding a touch of Filipino design heritage to the building.
The building reflects the concept of a village, where many minds and passions come together to form a community, similar to the way art also unites people from all backgrounds.
"One thing we also wanted for this design was that it should be inclusive and kind of spills over to nature. You'll notice that there's galleries here, but there's also an open space that blends into the garden after that. So there's also that aspect we wanted, that seamless blend between open space and the architecture of the building," says Misha Quimpo, Project Development Manager of Ayala Land, Inc.
The new building will rise along the banks of the Pasig River and aligns with the government's vision of creating a 25-kilometer Pasig River esplanade.
"The timing was great. I mean, this is our part for this area. And I think in the end, there will be like a nautical highway, and there will be ferries, ferrying back and forth [along the river]. There will be areas where these ferries can stop. There will be foot bridges that will allow you to go to the other side. We were quite thrilled by the plans [of the government], and we felt very fortunate that we already had this and that we can integrate with their vision as well," says Gustilo.
If you're familiar with Circuit Makati's layout, it will be along Riverfront Drive, taking space from what used to be the Circuit Makati Concert Grounds. In fact, if you walk around the area today, you will already see it half boarded up. This is because construction is set to begin soon.
Don't worry about losing space for performances and concerts. Quimpo assures the public that Circuit Makati is consistently growing, and plans for more entertainment and leisure spaces are in the works.
"This contemporary art museum completes Circuit Makati’s vision as a center for arts and culture. It is an iconic addition to the estate that not only anchors the arts alongside the performing arts theater, but also uplifts the entire community by inspiring creativity and innovation," shared Ayala Land President and CEO, Meean Dy in a statement to the press.
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