Flea market at a ‘palace’
AN OPEN fair inspired by European street markets, Palacio de Memoria opens its grounds to the “Flea Market at The Palacio,” a weekend of arts, antiques, and artisanal goods on Feb. 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be unique and curated finds from art galleries, private collections, and artisanal shops, Rue Angelique Gallery of Prints, ARCHIVO 1984, Galeria Lienzo, Vidro, and the Edd Fuentes Private Collection. In addition to the market, special events will be held over the weekend. On Feb. 6, there will be a talk, “Connoisseur Conversations” with Dr. Jaime Laya from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a Cognac Masterclass by Remy Martin at 1 and 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., there will be a screening of the 1977 film Tisoy by ABS-CBN Restoration. On Feb. 7, there will be a cooking demonstration by Cibo de Marghi at noon to 1 p.m., followed by the Remy Martin Cognac Masterclasses at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by Cigar Night by Tabacalera and Don Papa Rum starting at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome subject to health protocols. Strict health and safety measures apply throughout the fair. RSVP at hello@palaciodememoria.com by providing the names and number of guests and their contact details.
James Clar joins Silverlens
SILVERLENS has announced Filipino-American artist James Clar has joined the roster of artists it represents, ahead of his presentation in the 14th edition of Art Dubai in March. The artist will also have a solo exhibition at Silverlens Galleries Manila in June. Clar’s artistic practice analyzes the effects of media and technology on the perception of culture, nationality, and identity. His body of work often overlaps non-physical spaces — dream world, virtual world, spiritual world — so that constants, such as gravity and space, become pliable material. Creating visual sculptural pieces that utilize light and technology, Clar’s art fosters the potential for narratives to exist. Clar received his Masters from New York University’s media art program ITP. There, he developed his own light and technology systems to create the installations that would come to characterize his practice. Clar then established his studio in Dubai, participating in the city’s developing art scene until 2012, before moving back to New York, where he furthered his studio practice from Brooklyn and taught a graduate course at his alma mater. In 2021, he opened a studio in Manila to work from the Asian region. Silverlens first worked with Clar in 2019, with a solo exhibition at the gallery entitled “Noise Field #1,” which was his first presentation in the Philippines. In 2020, he expanded this show with a laser and liquid installation, Noise Field #1B, which he created in partnership with AC Motors for Art Fair Philippines. Clar was also included in Silverlens’ first online exhibition, “Anticipating the Day” in June 2020, where his installation piece, The New Normal (Red/Green, 6×6) was presented alongside works by Nicole Coson, Frank Callaghan, and Mit Jai Inn. The gallery said that Clar’s innovative light and media artworks align with its “objective of working with artists that expand the boundaries of contemporary art production.”
8-year-old becomes an author
#RAJISMS, a book filled with funny quips and witticisms from an eight-year-old boy will be launched via zoom and livestreaming on Feb. 13, 3 p.m. The book covers the quips that young author Maharadya Miclat-Janssen, Raja for short, has been saying from the time he was two to the present. These cover diverse topics like food, bilingual mix-ups, religion and house rules, geography and travel, politics, learning to read, arts, historical and world views, gender and politics, literature and creating stories, and the “new normal.” In the book’s foreword, his mother, UP Professor Banaue Miclat-Janssen, writes: “Kids say hilarious things. I cannot help but keep a record of my son Raja’s quips as experienced by my parents, his father and me.” Finding his thoughts amusing, even unconventionally funny for a small kid, she started posting his quips on Facebook. Friends prodded her to compile them in a book. The book also features Raja’s stories entitled Hyperion and Mixels and highlights six of his paintings done at ages three and four. Book design and illustration is by Ivan Reverente of INK, Ilustrador ng Kabataan. Jointly published by the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation, Inc. (MMAFI) and Erehwon Center for the Arts, the book to be launched via Zoom live streamed at Maningning Miclat Artist Facebook page. The book may be ordered through maningningfoundation@gmail.com or viber/text 0999-504-2898.
Virtual exhibit opening at The Met
THE METROPOLITAN Museum of Manila presents a retrospective exhibit of Manila-based Spanish artist Betsy Westendorp titled “Passages.” Over 100 artworks spanning more than 60 years of Ms. Westendorp’s painting career form the retrospective collection curated by Dannie Alvarez, and features in a catalogue written by art critic Cid Reyes. Her body of work includes portraits, Philippine landscapes, seascapes of Manila Bay, Philippine flora, and grand cloudscapes across Philippine skies. There will be a virtual exhibit opening featuring a brief interview with the artist and a 3D virtual tour of the exhibit on Jan. 29, 4 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to all at http://bit.ly/PassagesBetsyWestendorp.
Atlantis to hold virtual theater workshop for adults
ATLANTIS Theatrical kicks of the new year with an online musical theater workshop for adults, featuring the fundamentals of acting, voice, and dance. The virtual setting will give students an intimate and focused learning experience aided by faculty members who have graced local and international stages. Acting classes will be taught by stage and TV actor Nelsito Gomez; voice classes will be taught by classically trained singer and Gawad Buhay and Aliw Awards winner Arman Ferrer; while Cecile Martinez, Atlantis Theatrical’s resident choreographer, rounds up the faculty as the Movement coach. The classes will be conducted from Feb. 22 to March 26, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sessions are an hour and 15 minutes long, with only two to three students to be accommodated per time slot. To conclude the course, there will also be an online recital with solo performances from all students on March 27, to be held live via Zoom. Students are expected to leave the workshop with rudimentary acting, singing, and dancing skills (with a focus on jazz dance); a polished musical theater song performance; applied understanding of song analysis and vocal techniques; and confidence that will help them shine wherever they go. A special class on basic makeup for theater and virtual meetings will also be conducted by make up designer Johann Dela Fuente. Visit www.atlantistheatrical.com/workshops for more information about the program. Contact Atlantis Theatrical at info@atlantistheatrical.com or at 0917-838-1534 to inquire. Slots are Limited.
