The new and different for ManilaArt 2011

At no other time has local art been fodder for headlines and opinion columns, occupying top spot in social media sites and being discussed in the halls of the Philippine Senate. It is said that it barely matters what has brought on this interest in Philippine art, what matters is that finally finally we are talking about it. At most this means frustration and dismay at the lack of understanding/education/exposure to local art that this reveals about even the most vocal and powerful in these shores. At the very least this makes for interesting times, when we are watching our cultural superiors, our cultural centers, and our artists, arms flailing as we all seem to fail to come together for local art in its most general sense. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for ManilaArt ‘11, which for the first time in three years is necessarily embroiled in this discussion about art, no matter that it might refuse to speak about it.

After all, there is enough to talk about where this year’s Philippine international art fair is concerned, central to which is its gaining a new director in Delan Robillos, who has affected changes that can only be exciting to regular ManilaArt visitors and spectators. Over coffee, with the sun streaming through the Midas Hotel’s café, his excitement was infectious. Which might seem ironic, given that he was talking about only 24 galleries participating in this year’s ManilArt – a far cry from the craziness of booth upon booth that we’ve seen the past two years. Of course the feeling has arguably been more tiangge than art fair in the past, which is ultimately a sad thing for art. It’s in this way that this year’s refusal to overbook booths in the space that the NBC tent allows makes sense: it will not only give the exhibiting galleries more exposure, it will also require them to actually think of the art they’re putting in their booths this year. As spectator, this is all I’ve expected really. Yet in the past it wasn’t so much that there were too many booths at ManilaArt that I thought was the problem; it was that in too many of those booths I actually felt like I was only seeing the gallery backrooms. And while I have no issue with exhibiting unsold art, hanging and installing them randomly with no rhyme or reason can only be a shame. With fewer galleries in ManilArt ‘11, no booth will escape the spectator’s eye, and this can only mean galleries making the effort to curate real art exhibits within the confines of their booths versus hanging old stocks on the walls. That’s 24 art exhibits under one roof. The thought of it excites me no end. So does the fact that this year, ManilArt brings to the stage the one and only Myra Beltran dancing to/within/against Elmer Borlongan’s “Batang EDSA" – the artwork that this year’s ManilArt carries. Tie this together with the fact of less galleries and more space for a stage area, and it seems it will also be the first time in three years that there will actually be a chance for most of us to see what else is happening on gala night, instead of just hearing it over the large speakers. But what Robillos takes great pride in, and maybe the one thing that makes ManilArt ’11 a far cry from its predecessors, is this: instead of the buzz and activity seeming to end with the gala night, the excitement continues for all of the three days after it. The ManilArt Lecture Series is in fact a regular feature of the art fair every year, except that it’s rarely talked about or promoted. This year, if Robillos is to be believed, the post-gala night activities are reason enough to go and bring family and friends – and kids! – to ManilArt and make Pinoy art a weekend activity. This year’s ManilArt Lecture Series features talks by expert scholars that delve into the intertextuality and interdisciplinary aspects of art and art making in the country. Atty. Gigo Alampay will talk about art, the law and the internet in a lecture aptly called “How We Turn Paintings Into Bicycles," while cultural studies scholar par excellence Dr. Oscar V. Campomanes will speak on “Semiotics in Visual Art." In commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 150th year, performance artist and poet Professor Vim Nadera shall talk on “Visuals on Rizal Today" as well. Children will be treated to art in the form that’s familiar to them, with the added layer of oral literary traditions and book illustrations. Storytelling sessions with RepubLikha’s Carisse Escueta, MYX VJ Chino Lui Pio, and Ramon Bautista will be held, as they read children’s books that feature art by Elmer Borlongan, Roel Obemio, and Farley Del Rosario. Artists in Residence (AIR) founders will also hold basic drawing sessions for kids, with architect Jojo Ballo, Cathy Lasam, and Jill Arwen Posadas. The lectures, storytelling, and drawing sessions happen from August 25 to 27, making ManilArt ’11 all abuzz with activity beyond its gala night, and maybe ultimately, more real in its goal of affecting a public through Pinoy art. But what might be infinitely interesting and suddenly in tune with all the current talk about Pinoy art? Well, ManilArt ’11 is also celebrating the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial by featuring Thomasian performances and recognizing the visual artists who have come from its Fine Arts program – the irony or lack of it, given the Kulô exhibit’s closure, should not be lost on anyone. Suffice it to say that in the course of this conversation with Robillos, it does seem like 2011 can only be a good year for Pinoy art, all unfounded and unintelligent criticism against it notwithstanding. Because we aren’t just finally interested in Pinoy art. At least for this year ManilArt is also truly allowing art to be the star of the show, highly debatable and infinitely controversial that it is. We should all be so excited. - YA, GMA News The gala event of ManilArt 2011 on August 24, 2011 is by-invitation-only but the art fair from August 25 to 27, 2011 is open to the public at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City with a P200 pesos entrance fee. For the complete schedule of the ManilArt Lecture Series and additional information, visit the ManilArt 2011 official website.