LIFESTYLE INBOX: Arts and virtual treats
Art events across all media (visual arts, movies, live performance, among others) are greatly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the help of technology, we can still continue to participate virtually in the comforts of our home or visit some galleries with heightened health protocols being observed, allowing only limited guests.
Art Exhibits and Virtual Auction
Galerie Francesca is now showcasing Silver Mountains, Sparkling Waters by Fred Chin Tan. His body of work focuses on life-sustaining and overflowing abundance aspects of nature. By situating the viewer in the experience of an imaginary mountain, Tan allows the viewer to withdraw inward, into their own connection with nature and their core, while contemplating his works.
Spirited Dance by Fred Tan (8 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas)
Tan's artworks hearken to the tradition of Chinese landscape painting. Although clearly gestural abstraction in his style, Tan's works have affinity not only through the form of the implied image that is strong in the Chinese landscape tradition, but in the philosophy he personally abides in. Working with the wet paint and the randomly textured canvas to achieve fluid transitions of color and paint through his “painting by not painting” approach inspired by Taoist philosophy; doing by not doing, and following the way of the Tao - the natural progression or the inherent impeccable harmonious design that is ingrained in nature. By following the natural order, a lasting harmony; the balance is achieved between man and fellow man, as well as with his surroundings
Showing until September 30, 2021, Silver Mountains, Sparkling Waters is Fred Chin Tan's fourth solo exhibition with Galerie Francesca (located at the 4L, Building A, SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City). For inquiries, call 0935 5511305, email at info@galeriefrancesca.com, or visit www.galeriefrancesca.com, https://www.facebook.com/GalerieFrancesca.PH.
Meanwhile, to those who want to help the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Ministries, a fund-raising event is being organized dubbed SpectaculART 2, an auction of art, jewelry, and homeware.
The homeware collection will feature European, Asian, and locally sourced pieces ranging from antique, vintage, and contemporary furniture and home décor.
Anita Magsaysay-Ho Print (Spectacular Art)
The virtual auction will also showcase a carefully curated selection of meaningful works created by esteemed artists, namely: National Artist for Visual Art Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Impy Pilapil, Romeo Tabuena, and Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Unique pieces by renowned Filipino Visual Artists Gus Albor, Ramon Diaz, Jojo Guingona, Noli Principe Manalang, Isabel Campa, Ivy Lim, and Marivic Rufino are pooled together in a celebration of Philippine Art in the last few decades. Unique prints by Salvador Dali and John Lennon will also be for sale.
SpectaculART 2 also gathers numerous up-and-coming artists to give them an opportunity to reach a wider audience and also to showcase their work. They may just dominate the scene in the years to come.
On September 25, the online viewing will start at www.spectaculartph.com as well as the preview of selected items at the San Antonio Parish Center (by appointment). Online bidding is from October 1 to 3 at www.spectaculartph.com.
The proceeds of the auction will be used in the numerous social services and development ministries of SSAP and its sister parishes.
For details, visit www.Instagram.com/SpectaculArt.ph or email at hello@spectaculartph.com.
Also on exhibit at the Art Lounge Manila, The Podium in Mandaluyong City is the artwork of Bernadette De Los Santos titled Life is Good. Bernadette (or BidiBidi) is an artivist (artist-activist) who harnesses her designs and harmonizes it with the traditional skills of the women in the Camarines Sur communities she works with. As an artist and a farmer, who has embraced the rural lifestyle and who is immersed in the raw and verdant greeneries of nature at her farm, La Huerta De Rosario, most of BidiBidi's works are lush and vibrantly colored florals, which are an embodiment of the abundance and fullness that her mantra “Life is Good!” encapsulates.
Eupheme - Triumphant (30 x 24 Oil on Canvas) by Bernadette Delos Santos
She has recently been the first guest artist of Fundacion Sanso's ADE Program that highlights creatives who use their art and design skills to empower communities.
The exhibit will run until September 30, 2021.
On the other hand, through the partnership between Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Musée du Louvre, Samsung offers all The Frame (lifestyle TV) owners a chance to explore the most visited museum in the world through 40 pieces of artwork and photographs. This selection includes must-see masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa and The Wedding Feast at Cana, as well as photos of the majestic Louvre galleries, its architecture, and museum grounds (Louvre Pyramid, Tuileries Garden, etc.). A short description of each work gives users a glimpse into their background and history.
Samsung The Frame and The Louvre Partnership
With new artworks from the Louvre joining the collection, The Frame now boasts a catalog with over 1,500 works of art from 42 different countries that consumers can enjoy in 4K picture quality from museums and galleries around the world, including the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Albertina Museum in Vienna, the Tate Modern in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Hermitage State Museum in Saint Petersburg and LUMAS.
Samsung and the Louvre also plan to unveil other exclusive content for The Frame users later this year. For more information, visit www.samsung.com/ph.
Online Screening
The EU Delegation, the European Union Member States Embassies together with Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association, have curated a set of award-winning films showing the diversity of European culture.
Dubbed “Cine Europa 24,” it brings 17 films from 15 EU Member States for free and are accessible right at the flick of your fingertips upon signing up at www.cineeuropaph.com.
Available for online screening until September 29, Cine Europa will maintain its strong relations with its loyal patrons including those from the various provinces across the country. Cine Europa continues to stand proud with its strong partnership with the Film Development Council in the Philippines.
You can check the screening schedule and other details at www.cineeuropaph.com.
And to those who have missed the recently held YouTube FanFest virtual edition, you can head over to the YouTube FanFest channel to discover (or rediscover) what makes YTFF a one-of-a-kind celebration - providing not only entertainment from home, but also a celebration of Filipino diversity.
P-pop group SB19 and Andree Bonifacio during The Finale
YouTube FanFest has always been about bringing people together which remains ever crucial at these times. More local creators joined the diverse lineup of the three-day show including lifestyle and beauty creators Hazel Quing, itsclaudineco, Raiza Contawi, and ThatsBella; YTFF regulars Ranz Kyle and Niana Guerrero together with their adorable sibling Natalia Guerrero; as well as Benedict Cua and Team Lyqa!
YouTube FanFest is usually a one-day show, but this year, fans were surprised with a three-day episode: Island Life, Everyone is Beautiful, and The Finale - each day centered around the wealth of diversity among YouTube creators.