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All the beautiful things you can buy at the MaArte Fair 2019
From a fair that started on a single table at the National Museum eleven years ago to the full-blown weekend selling event and fundraiser at The Peninsula today, the MaArte Fair truly evolved.
This year, the MaArte Fair, organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), takes another route by checking into 46 guest rooms in an “oPen House” at The Peninsula Manila on August 16 to 18.
At the press preview and launch held at Salon de Ning last July 17, MFPI president Albert Avellana discusses the concept, wherein the fair’s 65 brands will be exhibiting in 46 rooms on two floors of The Peninsula.
“Because of this new setup, the guests are expected to experience a new type of shopping from the usual bazaar, to a more intimate experience of visiting the ‘studios’ of the exhibitors.” Various talks by industry insiders will simultaneously be held in the hotel throughout the weekend.
A Syquia-inspired open house
Avellana explains that each room will feature one or two exhibitors, who will style their pop-up in their own personal way to give that open-house-studio feel.
“There will be absolutely no competition,” he adds, explaining that there will be no competing brands in one room, and that one exhibitor’s products and style would complement the other.
The overall effect would be like guests and shoppers paying a visit to each exhibitor’s atelier or private space, which is a more pleasant and refined experience than jostling amongst the crowd in a regular bazaar.
This concept was inspired by the Christmas open house parties held at North Syquia apartments, Malate’s iconic Art Deco-era building and residence-of-choice of artists, creatives, and various habitués of bohemian Manila.
Artist Phyllis Zaballero, a Syquia resident who is also vice president of the MFPI, reminisces about the famed annual open house: “At one point, we thought of an idea of a Christmas get-together. We wanted our friends to meet other friends, and we agreed on an open house. We had 30 guests each. The whole feeling was, you come into my apartment, my studio; I don’t know who you are, I’ll come up and approach you: ‘Whose friend are you?’ And he would say: ‘Neil Oshima, Apa Ongpin.’ They were all these kinds of cuckoo people! So, I said, ‘Welcome! You are now my friend, too.’” Syquia’s open house tradition ended around ten years ago, when a security incident arose and things got out of hand.
The best of Philippine artistry, for a cause
At the press preview styled by Alvin Matias, vignettes featuring select exhibitors of the MaArte Fair were integrated into the rosy, Jazz-age, Art Deco interiors of Salon de Ning—a sly and subtle allusion to 1930s Syquia.
The products on display showcased the best of Philippine artistry, such as the hand-beaded jackets by Filip+Inna, the organic-style jewelry of Tim Tam Ong, the exotic and heady fragrances of Oscar Mejia, and the contemporary-Filipino footwear and bags of Maco Custodio, among others.
“Supporting the MaArte Fair will really benefit the cause of MFPI two ways. First, the trunk show is a way of promoting appreciation for our local artists and artisans, and second, it will ultimately support the National Museum’s initiatives as well as the many projects of our grantees,” says Zaballero.
MFPI’s fundraising events, including the MaArte Fair and Art in the Park, benefit the National Museum, along with other grant recipients such as the Museo Kordilyera of University of the Philippines-Baguio, the UP College of Music 100 Project, and the Handi Project which provides tours and field trips for children in Kiangan, Ifugao province.
“As usual, we keep on doing all our efforts as our commitment to our National Museum…in the end, you support the foundation that supports your National Museum,” Avellana stresses. — LA, GMA News
The MaArte Fair oPen House will run from August 16 to 18, 2019, at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City. Admission is free. Facebook, Instagram.
