MaArte Fair returns to Le Pen
Exhibition by artist Nat’l Slim Higgins, a highlight of the high-end bazaar of locally made items
AFTER a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the MaArte fair is back at Peninsula Manila.
“I am thrilled to be able to say this: MaArte at the Pen,” said Yael Buencamino, president of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), which organizes the fair as a fundraiser for the foundation. During the July 27 online press conference, Ms. Buencamino said that funds generated by MaArte (and other fundraising activities such as Art Fair Philippines, of which the foundation is a beneficiary) have continued to fund activities. such as training guides, as well as sending a curator for postgraduate study abroad.
Speaking of Art Fair Philippines, management of this year’s MaArte is now in the hands of Art Fair organizers Philippine Art Events, Inc. (PAEI), the group that owns and operates Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park. The three ladies of PAEI, Dindin Araneta, Trickie Lopa and Lisa Periquet, presented highlights from this year, such as an exhibition on National Artist for Fashion Design Salvacion Lim “Slim” Higgins, curated by his son, Mark Lewis Higgins, artist and the headmaster of his mother’s fashion school, Slim’s Fashion and Art School.
“We had no idea she would be named a National Artist. So imagine our delight and surprise when that happened, as we were planning this special exhibit for all of you,” Ms Lopa said.
She said the event will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, set by both the hotel and the government. Temperature checks will be required at the door, masks must be worn at all times and only about 100 people will be admitted per floor.
Thanks to a collaboration with the fashion group PHx, the fashion schools will also present the lines of some of their students at the bazaar. These are: CLIO DL by Clio de Leon (De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde), Kill Joy Studios by Eugene Malabad (iAcademy), and The Ngok by Jiale Zhang (SoFa Design Institute). PHx will also show the works of Alexie, BAGASÁO, Basic Movement x Polo Redux, Café City Club, ec / Eustacia, Feanne, HA.MÜ, J Makitalo, Jill Lao, Jude Macasinag, Kelvin Morales, Land of Nod, Lilianna Manahan, Mich Dulce, Neil Felipp, nicolò, RANDOLF, Tropik Beatnik and Viña Romero.
The show will have 94 participants this year. It will take place from August 19 to 21 and will span three floors of the Manila Peninsula.
Participants range from clothing (Maison Métisse, Mich Araullo, PNay, Filip + Inna; among others), accessories (Aranaz Ken Samudio, Siklo Pilipinas), traditional textiles (Balay ni Atong, Ifugao Nation, La Herminia, WVN Living), furniture (Ito Kish, Osmundo Furniture Gallery, Azcor Lighting Systems), art and heirlooms (Gallery Deus, León Gallery and Unang Panahon Arts and Antiques; among others), home accessories (Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Silahis Center and Iraya Mangyan Art; among others), jewelry (Maria Angelica Rare Finda, Tim Tam Ong, Whisenhunt Fine Jewelry and others), pottery (Joey De Castro Pottery, ORYOQI Ceramics and Siegrid Bangyay Pottery) and finally food (Auro Chocolate, The Pantry /Domicillo Selections, and Tsaa Laya).
Ms. Araneta said, “We’re sticking to a theme of celebrating the creative Filipino soul.”
Meanwhile, Ms Buencamino said: ‘Remember you’re not just supporting the designers and artisans who created them. Your purchase also contributes to the development of Philippine museum workers and the preservation of cultural heritage.
MaArte at the Pen will take place from August 19-21 at the Peninsula Manila. Free entry. — JL Garcia