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Art feeds the mind and soul. One of the best ways to spend the weekend is to immerse yourself in art. Life is more colorful because of art.

ONLINE MUSIC FEST

On June 21, different countries all over the world will come together as one to commemorate Fête de la Musique, an annual global French tradition that has become an international phenomenon through the years.

In the Philippines, this year's edition will take its audience on a nationwide musical journey from June 18 to 21. #FeteFromMyIsland will celebrate not only the artists and music from various parts of the Philippines but also the natural beauty and rich culture of some of the country's most popular destinations including Boracay, El Nido, La Union, and Metro Manila.

The free-for-all online event will be streamed on the Facebook pages of Fête de la Musique PH, Alliance Francaise de Manille, and B-Side Productions, and on the account of Fete de la Musique in Kumu.

On June 19, talents from the Visayas will take centerstage with exciting performances by Kate Torralba, Project Yazz, Vanessa Monot, doods, soundslikefiona, Vanya, and Dumaguete Trio.

On June 20, the spotlight will pan to Mindanao with music from homegrown talents including KRNA, Moro Beats, Conscious & The Goodness, Joee & I, Levi, and Manic Mundane

Then, on June 21, the Philippines will join the rest of the world in celebrating music with four main stages in Metro Manila, Boracay, El Nido, and La Union.

The Metro Manila stage will present music by Barbie Almalbis, Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios, Curtismith, and Leanne & Narra. They will also be joined by Jason Dhakal, The Hernandez Brothers x Lustbass, and Fatima Loo.

For the Boracay stage, there will be performances by I-Dren Artstrong, Trespeace, Mami Beth & Sajid Perez Pelayo. The El Nido stage will feature music by Jako Mandala, Eric Tarre, Robin, Mike & The Wolf, Bathala Na Groove and Jams with Dona & David, and Jewelmer Jazz Band. Lastly, Manskee, Roe Santos, and Jose x Gats Talamak will take over the La Union stage.

As part of the Fête de la Musique tradition in the PH, two foreign acts will play alongside Filipino musicians. For this year, multi-awarded and chart-topping singer, composer, and actor Raphaël, who is known for his emotive and artful contemporary pop, will be one of the highlights of the June 21 Main Stage. He has performed and collaborated with icons such as David Bowie, Vanessa Paradis and Tony Visconti to name a few. Also performing on that date is Swiss Jazz band B Connected.

Fête de la Musique Philippines 2021 is presented by Alliance Française de Manille together with B-Side Productions and the Embassy of France to the Philippines. The event is co-organized by the Department of Tourism, a long-time partner of Fete PH in promoting and supporting OPM and Filipino artists.

A COLORFUL DISPLAY

A group of young and talented artists have banded together to be part of a new exhibit entitled “Figment Beyond Pigments.” The exhibit features the wonderful artworks of 18 artists from Vice Versa namely Dhennis Abando, Joseph Abao, William Abao, Vicson Apostol, Carlos Alferez Castro, Edward De Castro, MJ Palma-Duquiatan, Jonathan Enad, Anthony Escueta, Jonathan Jalac, Anna Lumpas, William Macatangay, Cheyzer Manalo, Alexandra Monserrat, Medardo Olaco, Bernardo Oronos Jr., Ada Panopio, and Gab Villalobos.

The exhibit is presented by Robinsons Land ARTablado, a program that gives hope and opportunities to Filipino artists to showcase their artistry. In this exhibit, they give the spotlight to Vice Versa, a newly-founded group of artists from Batangas that continuously shares their art through diverse medium in different places. The group proudly share the finest talents of Batangas alongside its rich and affluent culture.

Each piece from the “Figment Beyond Pigments” exhibit is about every artist's story and inspiration -- their thoughts and ideas and how they are portrayed through mesmerizing colors in palettes and brush strokes.

The exhibit is ongoing and will run until June 30 at ARTablado Level 3 of Robinsons Galleria. For more updates, like and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Meanwhile, the same mall is also currently hosting the 5th run of the Made in QC (MIQC) Local Artisans' Fair, which will run until today, June 19. The fair features MIQC Purveyors quality handcrafted products ranging from soaps, candles, bags, ice cream and jewelry. Over 15 QC businesses have joined the artisans' fair.

For a minimum P1,000 worth of items from MIQC Purveyors and who can show their completed COVID- 19 vaccination card will bring home freebies from the Quezon City local government. Freebies can be redeemed from the registration table at the event. Don't miss on the opportunity to support and buy from micro and small business based in Quezon City.

FROM CAR TO ART

It is said that the Volkswagen Beetle is not just a car - it's an icon on the road. With its soft, rounded shape and imploring eyes, it was part of popular culture for 65 years, and a symbol of mid-20th century counterculture.

The Beetle has starred in movies like Herbie and the Love Bug, the Transformer series, and been the subject of many a song. At the Beetle Sphere 2019 exhibit which is ongoing at the SM Mall of Asia, it has become a work of art.

Indonesian artist Ichwan Noor made the giant sculpture made from an actual 1953 Volkswagen Beetle. It is part of his breakthrough sculpture series involving iconic components of 1953 vintage Volkswagen Beetles, which he transforms it into a perfect sphere.

The idea emerged from Noor's personal perception towards objects that are products of a “transportation culture.” By combining the techniques of manipulation and substitution, the form of this sculpture tends toward realistic distortion, which allows new interpretations about the object (car), as a shift in perception that creates an associative meaning. The sculpture's visual form yields an impression of a sphere - the basis of all forms.

Ichwan Noor works has been exhibited in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Turkey and in the U.A.E. His iconic work has been in the collection of several major national and private institutions in Indonesia, Australia, Germany, China, Turkey, U.S.A., Sweden and India.

For more art and culture stories, head to GMA's Lifestyle page.