By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
Art Fair
Art in the Park
April 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
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IMAGINED as a chill stroll in a park for artists and enthusiasts, Art in the Park, which marks its 10th year on April 3, is now anything but. Dubbed as the country’s “most significant affordable art fair,” it has, over the years, welcomed throngs of excited art lovers and artists of all stripes. It has expanded to take over the parking are next to the park, has sold thousands of cut-price yet world-class artworks, and baptized incoming artists as the next superstars.
“Art should not be intimidating and… one can appreciate it in a relaxed, informal setting,” Art in the Park (AIP) co-chair Trickie Lopa told BusinessWorld in 2013. Three years later, as AIP turns 10, this goal remains the same: the park is an inviting gallery and that art is available for everyone.
Without entrance fee, anybody can appreciate the art at the Jaime Velasquez park in the middle of Makati’s Salcedo Village, this coming Sunday.
THE EVOLUTION
“Our participants really prepare for Art in the Park. We expect them to offer gems, as always Because of the request for larger pieces, we’ve agreed to raise the price ceiling to P50,000,” said Ms. Lopa in an e-mail interview on March 29. The original ceiling price was P30,000.
From the 12 art galleries that participated that first year, this year’s art fair features almost 60 art galleries, collectives, and student groups. Some of the participating galleries are 1335 Mabini, Silverlens, Art Lab, Altro Mondo, Ysobel, and Vinyl on Vinyl. Be ready to get dizzy with all manner of art, from paintings to photographs, sculpture to pottery, jewelry and installations, all selling for under P50,000.
Art in the Park benefits the operations of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines in its mission to create awareness for the National Museum and its network.
LIMITED EDITION PRINTS AND SPECIAL SHOWS
To mark its 10th anniversary, AIP is reproducing signed limited edition prints from 10 artists whose artworks have adorned the fair’s postcard invitations. The artists are Jomike Tejido, Joy Mallari, Jose Santos III, Dex Fernandez, Pete Jimenez, Rodel Tapaya, Geraldine Javier, Charlie Co, Pamela Yan-Santos, and Marina Cruz.
“Every year, for the past eight years, we’ve asked an artist for an image that we can use for our post cards. Eight of the artists in the set have given us images in the past. Two of them (Charlie Co and Pete Jimenez) are mainstays of the fair: they always have works at the fair, either for sale or as a special exhibit. So in a sense, all 10 artists embody what Art in the Park is all about,” said Ms. Lopa.
Amid the busy art market, there will also be a special exhibit of wax sculptures by celebrated sculptor Daniel dela Cruz, who won the gold medal at the Festival of Nativities in Rome, Italy in 2008, besting 131 entries from 71 countries. His featured work at the AIP showcase this year will be wax sculptures of four-foot tall standing male figures, some holding metal umbrellas. According to the AIP organizers, the sculptures are meant to gradually melt away like candles throughout the day until the fair draws to a close at 10 p.m. The installation will be by the park entrance at Velasquez St.
Aside from Mr. Dela Cruz’s work, other highlights of the 10th anniversary are, according to Ms. Lopa, an interactive activity by Globe Platinum involving Instagram and selfies, which will be anchored around a sculpture by Pete Jimenez at the Tordesillas St. entrance. “There will also be a charging station for cell phones and gadgets,” she noted.
AIP has grown over the years and has thought of marrying art and technology, which resonates most especially with its young audience. But, Ms. Lopa said, “the beauty of Art in the Park is that we appeal to a broad range of visitors: seasoned collectors, young professionals, students, kids. You’ll find them all at the fair.”
