TEN CONTEMPORARY art galleries come together for their first collaborative project, ALT Philippines 2020, on Feb. 14 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center Aura, SM Aura Premiere, BGC in Taguig City.

The collaborating galleries — 1335 Mabini, ArtInformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Finale Art File, Galleria Duemila, Mo_Space, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, and West Gallery — will be featuring over 150 mid-career and emerging contemporary artists at the art fair.

According to ALT Philippines 2020’s official website, “the project is a dynamic and immersive gathering and collaboration for meaningful engagement with its visitors, artists and professionals in the art community.”

“We wanted to create a good show. A show and the project coming from the context of galleries, artists, collaborators directly involved and directly collaborating in creating the project,” ALT Philippines project manager Nicole Decapia told BusinessWorld in a phone interview.

With the art show’s exploratory format, the collaborating galleries will highlight the character of their specific galleries through their artists and their preferred mediums.

Unlike a market stall setup, ALT Philippines — which will fill the 2,202-square meter SMX Convention Center (Halls 1 to 3) at SM Aura Premiere — will allow visitors to “enter each space and have a more intimate and immersive experience,” said ALT Philippines’ press relations manager Stephanie Frondoso, adding that the space will be laid out with a hive-like design.

Ms. Decapia noted the SMX Convention Center’s accessibility and proximity to commercial areas as among the reasons for choosing it as the venue. “The space is just right for 10 galleries and manageable.”

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Aside from exhibitions, ALT PH will also hold talks and tours as part of its program.

These will include interviews conducted by art writer and curator Tony Godfrey with participating artists, and a panel discussion led by curator Angel Velasco Shaw with art patrons.

Participants may also join Frame-by-Frame, a series of scheduled tours to each gallery during the three-day art fair.

According to the ALT Philippines website, the programs “allow us to pinpoint and critically discuss the concerns and needs of the art community and its sustainability. They educate audiences of every level on current artistic practice and arts management alongside developments in these respective fields.”

“We don’t intend it to be like an art fair with the same venue and format. We start with Alt Philippines and then something different,” Ms. Decapia said.

“Apart from the art world, and the usual crowd who comes to these events, we also wanted to encourage art appreciation and patronage at all levels. So, we’re having this project with the intention not just for someone who already knows about art, but to transform and have people who just by chance, come in and are curious to start and be included in the art community.”

As for future installments of the project, Ms. Frondoso noted that ALT Philippines will be mounted in various cities around the country at different months. “The show will not only be every February,” she said.

For more information, visit www.altphilippines.com. Tickets are now available at SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com/events/view/8784). General admission is priced at P250. Student rates are available on site (bring an ID). — MAPS

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