(SPOT.ph)Â If there's one thing we all know about art, it's that there's always room for it beyond the walls of a museum. We saw a lot of masterful works at the Art Fair Philippines 2019, and we're bound to see even more at the more laid-back but equally exciting Art in the Park! You can drop by and see what's up for grabs on March 17, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Makati. To make sure you're ready for it, here's a rundown of everything you can expect from the one-day art fair:
Tickets
Unlike Art Fair Philippines, there's no need for you to buy a ticket to visit the park and see what's in store for you. Entrance is free!Â
Time
Technically, "doors" officially open at 10 a.m., but since it's a free event promising affordable art, expect that a lot of people will be rushing to have a first look at what's for sale. Some people are known to line up outside the venue as early as 7 a.m., but there are also some who prefer to drop by in the evening to enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere and shorter queues at the food booth.
Venue
The annual art fair has always been held at the Jaime Velasquez Park since its inception in 2006. The urban park covers 0.7 hectares of the residential and commercial zone in Salcedo Village. Make a day of it and swing by one of the restaurants around the area before (or after) checking out Art in the Park: Rambla recently opened in the neighborhood, and Refinery has a few new dishes worth trying. Ooma's sushi bar is also a great option.
Art for Sale
Some people may be intimidated by art, but Art in the Park's main goal is to bring modern and contemporary art closer to everyone, offering a range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, and new media at prices P50,000 and below. A portion of all sales will go to the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, which funds various projects by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Featured Artists: Zean Cabangis, Yeo Kaa, Leeroy New
If you like abstract paintings, then you wouldn't want to miss seeing this year's featured artist and his works. Zean Cabangis transforms memories and scenes from his travels into abstract, ambiguous landscapes, using heavy lines and planes to "redefine spaces" and "make the familiar unfamaliar." He was an artist-in-residence at the Southeast Asia Art Group Exchange Residency in Indonesia in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Ateneo Art Awards from 2012 to 2014. He received the Most Outstanding Thesis award when he graduated from the University of the Philippines Fine Arts program in 2007.
Booths: Art, Food, Drinks, and Music
There'll be a lot of booths setting up at the park, so you can pretty much stay the whole day without leaving. Make time to see all 56 exhibitors—there will be exhibits from the Pinto Gallery, Altro Mondo Gallery, Ang I.N.K., CANVAS, and Arnold Art Collection, as well as art collectives and student groups. There will also be special exhibits and installations from artists Yeo Kaa, Leeroy New, and Oscar Mejia: For the first time in the history of Art in the Park, the fair will feature an installation focused on fragrances. In an attempt to highlight the art of scents, and the history of the Philippines' perfume industry, Mejia's installation, he shared, aims to invoke personal experiences attached to the "mysterious" sense of smell.
Soulful Mood will be providing the jazzy soundtrack for the day, and in the evening, there will be a special performance by the award-winning Bleu Rascals.Â
You'll be sure to work up an appetite, and you can have your fill from any of the food and drink vendors. 8Cuts, Cibo, Heineken, and Sidechick are just a few of the 20 food concessionaires that you can expect at the event.
Art in the Park is on March 17, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City. For more information, visit Art in the Park's website.
