Art Lounge Manila debuts at this year’s Art Fair Philippines with a solo exhibition by Juanito Torres. Titled “Ready…Get Set…Go!,” the show is an “allegorical” take poking fun at the May 9 elections and the carnival-like atmosphere the campaign has generated.
Now on its 9th edition, this year’s Art Fair Philippines is a significant development for Art Lounge Manila (ALM) for a number of reasons. Apart from debuting as an exhibitor in one of the country’s premier art events, ALM enters the scene just when organizers behind the fair, perhaps mindful of the risks posed by the pandemic, decided to hold a series of events in separate venues within Makati.
Pre-pandemic, Art Fair Philippines used to hold one grand event by turning the topmost floor of the Link at the Ayala Commercial Center as one huge venue consisting of various participating galleries and their roster of featured artists. ALM has two ongoing shows this month: “Perspectives,” presenting works by Juanito Torres for Art Lounge Manila, and Norman Dreo for J Studio at The Gallery at Greenbelt 5 in Makati
For Art Fair Philippines 2022, ALM is presenting “Ready… Get Set… Go!,” an exhibition featuring 12 of Torres’ allegorical pieces alluding to the forthcoming May elections, and the “carnivalesque” nature of the spectacles, which have become hallmarks of presidential races in the Philippines. With works that are pointed, thought-provoking and, at times, humorous, the Torres exhibition is designed to move one to question established norms about civic duty and love of country during these divided times.
ALM has previously showcased Torres’ works last June in “Quest for Freedom.” His pieces that time were based on historical events, like the Sumuroy Rebellion, the execution of Rizal and World War II scenes interspersed with coded symbols that cast a critical eye on both our past and present.
ALM is a premiere arts venue hosting important and rising talents from the local and international visual arts community. One of its goals is to make the arts more accessible to people even while presenting them in a “museum setting.” It hopes to promote arts and culture through well-curated exhibitions, creative concepts, and collaborations between different artists, art forms and institutions.
Founded in 2013, Art Fair Philippines, on the other hand, is one of the country’s premier platforms for exhibiting and selling the best in modern and contemporary Philippine visual arts. The ongoing event runs until April 1.
For inquiries, call at 09778398971 or 09989937963, or email info@artloungemanila.com. ALM, via @artloungemanila, is also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For updates on upcoming shows, log on to https://artloungemanila.com
