Take your love on an art date, HHWW
Art-loving couples can make a Valentine’s Day adventure out of touring Makati City, HHWW (holding hands while walking)—or not—as they make their way to select Ayala establishments for a day of culture and creativity.
“Art Walk by Ayala Land” is part of “10 Days of Art,” which launched Friday as a kickoff to the much-awaited Art Fair Philippines. While the festival gathers an abundance of artworks inside The Link from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, art enthusiasts may warm up by viewing and experiencing public art installations from One Ayala Terminal to Washington Sycip Park to Ayala Malls Circuit, and even along Legazpi Underpass.
Immersive and interactive experiences from various artists are scattered around the city to make art even more accessible, aiming to “empower communities, spark dialogue and celebrate the beauty of human connection.”
“We have always envisioned Art Fair to embody the essence of creativity and community. This year, we are furthering our purpose by transcending the confines of The Link, through ‘10 Days of Art,’ and embrace Makati City in its entirety. I am personally thrilled to launch this citywide initiative, recognizing that art is not confined to walls but flourishes in the streets, parks and hearts of Makati’s diverse communities,” said Art Fair cofounder Trickie Lopa.
Lovers of art and urban outdoors alike can follow the inspiring trail of public artworks, which include pieces that have long been part of the Makati landscape and those that were commissioned especially for the “10 Days of Art” event.
Installations and exhibits
“Off the Wall Manila-Paris Connexions” murals cover walls at the One Ayala terminal while “The Course of the Sun” installation is suspended from the ceiling of the concourse.
In Glorietta, poet-photographer Trish Shishikura’s digital photo exhibit lights up the newly reopened Japan Town in intriguing images. FotomotoPH, a Manila-based organization composed of visionary photographers, curators and writers, also showcases its collection from two editions of its concluded open calls.
Greenbelt 5 features works from the theme “Portraits” and “Home,” while the rest of the collection from all over the Philippines and the diaspora is being shown along nearby Legaspi Underpass in a video installation that has taken over advertising spaces. Selected prints by E.S.L. Chen, Wawi Navarroza, Steve Tirona and MM Yu are also on view.
Reflections from visual artist Emmanuel Garibay on National Artist for Literature Gemino Abad’s beloved poem “I Teach My Child” are featured in Ayala Museum, which include a new collection of paintings, assemblages and sculptures by Garibay.
Best viewed once the skies have darkened are transdisciplinary visual artist Derek Tumala’s “A Warm Orange-Colored Liquid” at the Ayala Tower One fountain area; motion graphics artist and multimedia engineer Isaiah Cacnio’s “Prismatic Embrace” projected across the Green Wall of Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2; and Leeroy New’s “Nautilus of Dreams” art installation, also in Ayala Triangle Gardens, and “Elemental” in Ayala Malls Circuit.
Painting murals, live music
According to Tumala, the solar-powered solar model made from recycled pulp paper and metal structure proposes an ecological system that harnesses energy from the sun. “A Warm Orange-Colored Liquid” is deemed his most significant and ambitious work to date.
For Cacnio, his collaboration with digital artists AJ Dimarucot and Carlos is a culmination of a dream, inspired by the “vibrant tapestry of celestial garments worn by Jesus” that invites the audience to lose themselves in its radiant embrace.Part of the “Elemento” exhibit by Art House and Search Mindscape Foundation at Samsung Performing Arts Theaters, which also houses works by prominent and promising local and international artists, “Elemental” and “Nautilus” combines architecture, design and art with sustainability.
The collaborations with Liter of Light’s Illac Diaz, a Unesco ambassador for the International Day of Light, use discarded water barrels from numerous junk shops and solar lighting from Liter of Light to create a mesmerizing solar-powered production.
After the exhibit, the lights will be distributed to communities with little to no access to electricity. “Each 30 minutes of building lights will result in five years of solar light for the village and places that have energy poverty,” Diaz said.
Finally, a stroll along Washington Sycip Park will give art aficionados a chance to appreciate four sculptures by Impy Pilapil titled “Faith,” “Entry,” “Wish Stone” and “The Mangrove-Nature’s Embrace,” while also on view is the towering installation, “!Exclaim,” at Ayala North Exchange
There are also other activities and performances to participate in during the “10 Days of Art” and even beyond.
Until Feb. 18, guests can join in painting murals, themed “A Celebration Of The Various Disciplines Of The Arts,” all over the walls and walkways of Circuit Makati’s Symphony Drive, Riverfront Drive and Gallery Drive, led by Nini Andrada Sacro, Anina Rubio and Trip63.
Performances by various artists will enthrall audiences until beyond art festival dates: “With Love … Bituin” featuring Bituin Escalante on Feb. 15 at 5th Floor Samsung Performing Arts Theater; “Rama Hari” from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater; “Kaibigan: A Poetry Jam” with Abad on Feb. 17 at Ayala Museum; and The Putnam County’s “The Spelling Bee” on Feb. 24 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater. INQAyala Malls is hosting “Art in the Open,” which invites visitors to lounge around and listen to live music at Greenbelt, Glorietta and Ayala Malls Circuit Until Feb. 18.
