The annual National Art Fair, aka ManilaART, gears up for another show this October at SMX Convention Center. The event is a continuation of two earlier editions, which explored the future of visual arts, including its promotion, appreciation and trading.
Now on its 14th year, the annual National Art Fair, more popularly known as ManilaART, is gearing up for another show from October 19 to 23 at SM Aura’s SMX Convention Center. With “Forging Futures” as its theme, this year’s event will, in spirt, be a continuation of themes and thrusts explored in more recent years such as “Visions for a Future Reimagined” (2020) and “Continuing Legacies” (2021).
An augmented reality 3-D render of a Bell Sison sculpture, which was then viewable on iPhone and iPad.
ManilART 2020: Visions for a Future Reimagined
Arts and culture should evolve with the times. Participating in the creation of our cultural landscape, the here and now contribute to chronicling Philippine art history as it unfolds. In 2021, ManilaART gave guests a first look at new technologies alongside traditional media. The art fair, for instance, was made accessible for online patrons through 360-degree digital walkthroughs. At the same time, augmented-reality copies of artworks were presented alongside original physical pieces through its first-ever “phygital” showcase.
ManilART ’22 highlights
Going phygital. The debut of the phygital on ManilART’s stage bridges the gap between digital and traditional spaces. Digital artworks are minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are valued as extensions or digital prints of the physical piece. Ownership of these NFTs is tied to the blockchain in the form of a crypto work that enables itself to be valued and traded in virtual art galleries and crypto markets.
Learn about blockchain with Binance. Binance, the largest cryptocurrency platform, is set to hold educational talks during the art fair — opening the floor and expanding digital literacy beyond those with experience. Hearing insights straight from them will benefit both newbies and veterans alike. Learning more about NFTs opens up a new realm of creation, trading and supporting artistic works.
ManilART 2021: Continuing Legacies
Shades of Happiness exhibit by Wrady at the German Pavilion Dubai Expo 2022
Read the room with Vrady’s Joy United. We can expect ManilART ’22 to have more interactive surprises and booths. This year also spotlights Joy United, an art installation by German media artist duo Juliana and Andrey Vrady, which will explore and reflect the moods of fairgoers in real-time. Machine sensors will “read” guests’ emotions and run them through the artists’ software codes, while AI will generate an artwork based on the collective’s feelings through vibrant lights and color.
ManilART keeps its sights on the future of art and art trading in the next few years. This is in keeping with artists and audiences as they discover new techniques and set trends through advancements in the digital age. Progressively younger audiences have the means to see art in the online sphere, which has arguably democratized its consumption through online exhibit walk-throughs and social media.
This year’s participating exhibitors are 371 Art Space, AC 388, Annual Sculpture Review, Art For Space, Artes Orientes, AT Art Gallery, Dry Brush, Espacio Manila, Galerie Artes, Galerie Du Soleil, Galerie Francesca, Galerie Raphael, Galleria Nicolas, G9 Online, Gallery Nine, Historia Arts, M Gallery MNL, Museo de Pacis, Philippine Art Nation, Pugad ni Art, Renaissance Gallery, The Artologist, Village Art Gallery and Ysobel Art Gallery.
ManilART 2022 is set to run from October 19 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center, 3rd Level, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. Call (0977) 807 3369 or visit www.manilartfair.com for details.
