Article by Julia Antique / Photos by Joselle Marie Fajardo
On its 5th year in Manila, Art Fair Philippines returns 5 times bigger than when it started in 2013… literally! Starting with only 24 galleries and having only 6,000 visitors 5 years ago, the public art fair has grown in popularity over the years and has become one of the biggest art events in the country (Art Fair PH 2017 alone was attended by 40,000 people!).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BehPR6Hnm3f/?hl=en&taken-by=artfairph
(RELATED: Art Fair Philippines at a Glance)
With the noticeable increase in the volume of visitors, the fair once again opens its doors this year as the biggest one to date. Having 51 galleries and 13,017.70 sqm of space to work with, navigating through the fair may seem intimidating – but don’t worry! We’ll guide you through what’s new and what to look forward to in Art Fair PH 2018:
Say Goodbye to Long Lines!
If you’ve been an avid visitor of Art Fair PH, you’ll notice that the lines just keep getting longer and longer each time. This year, Art Fair PH hopes to help solve this problem by introducing online ticketing, which lets you buy tickets for the event online in just 4 easy steps. Partnering with PayPal, BDO, SM, UCPB, Dragonpay, and many other online payment services; buying tickets to the event is now convenient and seamless.
Timed Entry Periods
Due to the traffic created by people going in and out of the venue simultaneously during the fair, Art Fair PH introduces timed entries for the fair, where you can only enter the venue from a selection of time slots. This is to regulate and organize the flow of attendees during the fair. The entry periods for the event’s fair days are as follows: 10am-1:30pm, 2pm-5pm, and 5:30pm-9pm. The timed entry periods can also be chosen when you buy your tickets online. But don’t fret! The schedules are only for entering the fair. Once you’ve entered the gallery/area/fair, you’re free to stay as long as you like; but keep the schedules in mind when you exit and plan to re-enter the venue.
Look, But Don’t Touch
(READ: I’m Okay with People Taking Selfies at Art Fair Philippines)
Because of the rising art scene in the country, Art Fair Philippines will be promoting “Art Etiquette” on their social media sites. Art Etiquette is a series of educational pubs aimed at educating the attendees of Art Fair PH and people, in general.
A brief gist of Art Etiquette’s content is a step-by-step guide on how to properly behave in galleries and similar art events, so that you can respect and appreciate the works of art while still being considerate of others.
Examples of these guidelines are: to not touch the artwork; to take a step back before viewing the artwork, so that others can see it, as well; to avoid bringing big bags and backpacks to the fair; to not use flash when taking photos; and to not eat inside the venue.
More than Beautiful Views
In accordance with the goal to develop and educate audiences on contemporary art, the 4-day event will once again have ArtFairPH/Talks, wherein you can listen to and gain insight from your favorite artists and renowned experts in the scene as they discuss ideas, important issues, and relevant topics. This year’s ArtFairPH/Talks are in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. The talks will be held at the RoofDeck of The Link starting at 11am during all public fair days.
Learning Outside the Link
Art Fair Philippines will once again be having ArtFairPH/Tours where they will be conducting guided visits to multiple galleries, museums, and other selected art events. The aim of the tours is to add historical context and increase appreciation for local art. Museum tours will be held in the following: The National Museum of Fine Arts (daily), Ayala Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. The tour will also cover studio visits of famous artists Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz. Guided tours of Art Fair PH will run from 11am to 12pm daily. ArtFairPH/Tours will be held on all 4 days of the event.
It Starts Earlier Than You Think
Can’t make it to the event? Don’t worry! The celebration of contemporary art isn’t bound by the four walls of The Link. Launched last year, Art Fair Philippines’ “10 Days of Art” will also be returning this 2018. The 10-day event starts a week before the fair and will once again showcase various public art installations, food and beverage partnerships, museum openings, and art events all around the city.
Electrifying Work by Kidlat Tahimik
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bepg-uyn9vP/?hl=en&taken-by=artfairph
(RELATED: Pinoy Filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik Wins in Berlin International Film Festival)
Acclaimed figure and filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik will be causing up a storm at this year’s fair as he exhibits his wooden sculptures and installations as a commentary on borrowed myths and cinema and how it can be an avenue for self-invention and reclamation.
Not only will the works of the film giant be featured; but other greats such as Leonard Aguinaldo, Antipas Delovato, Renato Habulan, Pablo Baen Santos, Lyra Garcellano, Nilo Ilarde, Alvin Zafra, and many more will also have exhibits of their own at the venue.
Finally: Photography!
To further recognize photography as a contemporary art form, and to enhance its appreciation among Filipinos; Art Fair Philippines 2018 will be introducing a new section at the fair: ArtFairPH/Photo. Works by Eduardo Masferre and selected photographs from the Julius Baer Art Collection will be featured in the new section, as well as Neal Oshima’s “Kin” and “Provocation”- an exhibit dedicated to documentary photography curated with Angel Shaw.
So, what are you waiting for? Book a ticket online now at or walk in and get a discount with your Student ID on the day itself (Php150 for students with valid IDs and Php100 for Makati students with valid IDs).
Art Fair Philippines 2018
March 1 to 4, 2018
The Link, Ayala Center, Makati
https://artfairphilippines.com/
Book your ticket here: https://events.pouchnation.com/event/artfair
