Ortigas Art Festival 2024 information sheet

 

AGOS STUDIO: 

LUNDUYAN: A Convergence of People’s Tales 

Agos Studio is an artist-run initiative that provides platforms for programs and alternative  spaces for different art practices, aiming to foster connection and community  engagement, hone one’scraft, and give guidance in navigating artists’ careers. With Renato  Habulan as its resident mentor, Agos Studio holds true to its name. Translating to “flow,”  the studio’s mentoring processes are not limited by a physical space and The RH Art  Caravan, one of Agos’ exploration of creation outside the studio, is a testament to this. For this year’s Ortigas Arts Festival, Agos Studio formalizes its e-mentoring program which commenced during the pandemic as it launches Lunduyan, a 2-year mentoring program  for emerging and mid-career artists from the regions to establish their careers and take  hold of their responsibilities as creatives, artists and cultural workers. For the program,  these artists are guided to discover different avenues to present their works – in museums,  galleries, art fairs, competitions and others – or find residencies to further develop their  style, narrative and body of work. “Lunduyan” meaning center, is a meeting point and a  place of convergence. This name symbolizes not only a sense of gathering, but also the  intersection of struggles that contemporary Filipino artists face. 

Buklod: A collaborative exhibit of Puluy-an Art Gallery and Agos Studio 

Agos Studio together with Puluy-an Art Gallery brings artists from Iloilo to this year’s  Ortigas Art Festival. The exhibit, titled "Buklod"—which translates to "bringing people  together"—embodies its theme by uniting a diverse array of artists, each contributing their  unique backgrounds and perspectives to create a cohesive and enriching experience. This collaboration between Agos Studio and Puluy-an Art Gallery reflects a shared vision of championing regional artists. Both of these artist-run initiatives emerged as a response to  the needs of artists who operate outside the mainstream art scene, providing them with  platforms for their unique talents and perspectives. 

LINANGAN ART RESIDENCY: 

Linangan Art Residency, an alternative art school based in Alfonso,Cavite known for its  trailblazing approach to art education (as featured in ArtReview, Tatler Asia, Art|Basel and  CNN Philippines).  

At Linangan, we believe in "Art Education" and "Education through the Arts." Our Art School  Experience at the festival will mirror the dynamic structure and spirit of our alternative art  school. Imagine thematic sections that embody every phase of the artistic journey—from  solo exhibitions to collaborative showcases, hands-on workshops, and enlightening  lectures. Each segment is a unique portal to creative discovery and learning.

Linangan’s Art School Experience at this year’s Ortigas Art Festival will replicate the  innovative art educational platform in Estancia for a month-long run. From solo exhibitions  to collaborative showcases, hands-on workshops, and enlightening lectures, this  immersive exhibition is designed to transform the festival into a vibrant educational hub,  where attendees can dive deep into contemporary art and visual literacy. 

This immersive exhibition is designed to transform the festival into a vibrant educational  hub, where attendees can dive deep into contemporary art and visual literacy. It’s more  than just viewing art; it’s about engaging, exploring, and learning. 

ANGONO ARTISTS 

Angono is known as the ‘Art Capital of the Philippines’ because it is the only town, despite  its small geography and population, which has produced and home to two National Artists  namely Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco for Painting and Prof. Lucio San Pedro for Music. The  town traces its artistic roots to the Angono Petroglyphs, the oldest rock art in the  Philippines. Angono boasts of more than 500 painters alone, excluding other artists such  as musicians, writers, video and film editors, theater people, craftsmen, and church-based  heritage and cultural workers. 

For Ortigas Art Festival, there will be 7 groups from Angono who will showcasing their  works:  

Angono Artists Association, Angono Ateliers Association, Lambana Angono Women Artists  Collective, Kuta Artgroup, Grupo Sining Angono, Neo Angono Artists Collective, The Blanco  Art Group. 

vMEME CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 

LOCATIONS OF FREEDOM for Ortigas Art Festival 2024  

vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery will present a pre-departure exhibit of the works of artists  for the Philippine Pavilion for Gwangju. It will include an audio-visual production, maquette  and mini versions of sculptures, studies, photographs, sample works and merchandise  items related to the exhibit in Gwangju. This exhibit aims to engage the Filipino public about  the preparations and collaborations being done for the biennale as well as raise funds for  the Philippine delegation. 

The Philippine participation for the 15th Gwangju Biennale is a collective exhibition of  seven Filipino contemporary artists Adjani Arumpac, Sari Dalena, Toym Leon Imao, Dennis  "Sio" Montera, Paul Eric Roca, Veejay Villafranca, and artist-curator Avie Felix. The  Philippine Pavilion, to be housed in Gallery 5 of the prestigious Asia Culture Centre (ACC), 

is entitled "Locations of Freedom" as it traces, situates and commemorates the multiple  forms of revolutions found in the historical, the quotidian and the internal. Its concept  emerged from three strands: first, in conversation with the over-all theme of the Biennale to  present/surface the voice of the people; secondly, in honor of the history of Gwangju as a  landmark of protest and mirror to our revolutionary spirit; and thirdly, in connection to post colonial realities of Southeast Asian nations tethered through the region's revolutionary  history.  

The collection of art in "Locations of Freedom" is a constructivist dialogue of each artist's  commitment to map instances of revolutions and evolutions - spaces and moments of  both resistance and hope, uprising and growth, questioning and change. As these artworks  focus on spatiotemporal markings of a collective revolutionary spirit - both physical and  metaphoric, they traverse the tropes historical, quotidian and internal. The result is a multi pronged dialogue between the artists and their own narratives, the stories of freedom in  their homeland and their accounts of their people's stories as they witness, observe and  participate in daily r/evolutions. As expressed by art historian Linda Nochlin, "Nothing is  more interesting, more poignant and more difficult to seize, than the intersection between  self and history". This exhibit visually articulates such intersections.  

The Philippine exhibit, led by curator by Avie Felix and graphic designer Karl Castro, is a  conjuncture of initiatives by vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Fundacion Sanso, Imao  Studios and UP Film Institute. 

PASIG ART CLUB 

Pasig Art Club is one of the oldest and respected art collective in the Philippines  established in 1957. Established in 1957, the Pasig Art Club has dedicated 67 years to  fostering creativity and artistic expression. It serves as a unifying platform for local artists  who share a common commitment to community service and possess a profound  reverence for visual arts. The club prides itself on the diversity it embodies, encompassing  individuals from a broad array of professions and disciplines. Its membership includes  educators, architects, painters, sculptors, photographers, advertising executives,  entrepreneurs, writers, musicians, designers, and more. 

GALLERY GENESIS 

In its goal to promote culture and uplift local artists in the Philippine art scene, Gallery Genesis proudly presents the works of Glenn Bautista, one of their best homegrown artists known to be “drowning in visions.” His abstract pieces are enigmatic, fluid, captivating,  and thought-provoking– almost dream-like. 

In celebration of his life and art, Gallery Genesis publishes Glenn Bautista: An Artist  Drowning in Visions written by Igan D’Bayan. The book reveals how a great artist came to  be — his life, upbringing, inspiration, and beliefs as well as more than 400 art pieces from  the Genesis archives that he created throughout his life.

ORTIGAS FOUNDATION LIBRARY 

The ORTIGAS FOUNDATION LIBRARY in cooperation with the NAYON PHOTOGRAPHERS’  CLUB present this exhibit titled Versatilité 4.  

Through the exhibit, the Ortigas Foundation is promoting this group of Filipino talents in the  arts of painting, photography and a marriage of both called paintography. This unique art  form combines photography and oil painting in a mixed media style. True to the name of the  exhibit, the display showcases the varied talents of this group of photographers who  expand their artistry through different mediums revealing their individual expressions and  interpretations.  

The Ortigas Foundation Library is a special collection Filipiniana research library  established to promote the study and appreciation of Philippine history, art and culture. 

REDLAB GALLERY 

Redlab Gallery is an artist-run gallery and a collective of visual artists using photography as  a medium for expression. Established in 2020 as a platform for photographic artists  advancing photography as an art form, Redlab Gallery organizes several exhibitions and  participates in renowned art fairs in the Philippines. The gallery fosters a community of  innovative and diverse photographers, showcasing their work through carefully curated  exhibitions. 

PHILIPPINE GUILD OF WATERCOLORISTS 

The Philippine Guild of Watercolorists started as an online based watercolor group in 2012.  The founder of the group, Karen Sioson, was invited by Atanur Dogan the founder and  president of the International Watercolor Society to seek respected watercolorists in her  country to form what would be known as IWS Philippines and later on the Philippine Guild  of Watercolorists. The founding members Lito Ballaran, Dany Doce, Erwin Mallari, Carina  Rayo, Camilo Santiago, Karen Sioson, and Jose Armin Virata enlisted the help of Filipino  artists to invite other known watercolor practitioners, soon the online membership grew in  number and was recognized as the official Philippine chapter of the International  Watercolor Society in April of 2014.  

Being part of the International Watercolor Society enabled Filipino watercolor artists to not  only promote Filipino art, but also to develop good diplomatic relations with world art  communities. The international affiliation proved to be a great venue for promoting the  cultural heritage and beauty of the Philippines. The group continues to enjoy good relations  with IWS Globe and regularly sends delegates and exhibitors to participate in sister country  events. Currently the group has 192 members comprising of Filipino watercolorists from all  over the Philippines and other parts of the world representing the art and culture of the  Filipino in local and international events.