THE three women behind two of the country’s most popular annual art affairs are going beyond an exhibit of contemporary collection.
Trickie Lopa, Lisa Periquet and Dindin Araneta, the organizers of Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park, put up The Nonesuch: Fine Collectibles and Rarities, a fine-art showcase that features top selections in antiques, furniture, jewelry, books, maps and prints, rare objects and other collectibles. The fair runs this weekend, October 27 to 29, at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.
Following their events that focus on contemporary art, Lopa said they felt local enthusiasts would welcome a fair of decorative art traditions. “Launching The Nonesuch is a natural extension of what we do in terms of widening the exposure of Manila’s audience to craftsmanship.”
She added those inclined to arts likely gravitate to finely wrought pieces that speak of heritage and memories, and their upcoming exhibit is filled with such pieces, as it is patterned after two well-known European fine arts and antiques fairs: the Masterpiece London and The European Fine Art Fair, or Tefaf, in Maastricht in The Netherlands.
Top objets d’art purveyors will contribute special pieces for sale for The Nonesuch, which is named after an English term that means “of no equal”. The list of participating exhibitors include Gallery Deus, Gallery Joshua, Gallery of Prints, Leon Gallery, Maria Angelica Rare Finds, Maria Closa, Natalya Lagdameo, Nicole Whisenhunt, Osmundo, Tawalisi Antiques and Unang Panahon.
The organizers tapped acclaimed set designer Gino Gonzales to come up with a setting that will bring out the most of the top-quality pieces in terms of aesthetics and its historical and collectible aspects.
A set and costume designer for over 100 theater productions worldwide, Gonzales said the challenge was to display the pieces like antiques in a new light, and away from the images of dust collectors and flea markets pileups. The answer? Showcasing them as “lifestyle objects.”
“We thought of styling the way they are presented, and that’s by recreating a shopping street of old Manila. It’s an impression of an Escolta with kiosks and stores,” said Gonzales, who recently won the silver prize at the 2017 World Stage Design by the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians.
The key was building impressions of bahay na bato and structures with awnings. Gonzales used modern materials and abel Iloco fabric to incorporate a Filipino touch and establish a connection with the past and present.
“We want to show the objects in the context of a present sensibility, and how it will fit into a modern home,” he said.
Another purpose of the design is to attract a new audience for antiques. Gonzales explained that putting old things against brown walls and rotting architecture won’t appeal to the younger market, which is why they went with a vibe of exhibits and galleries that has a “freshness” to it.
Consistent with the other exhibits of the organizers, the fair will also present a lecture series, called “The Nonesuch Salon”. Lopa said the educational component is very important to all their events, adding, “How will people be able to sustain interest unless they deepen their knowledge about what they see?”
Araneta concurred, saying the fair wouldn’t just be an opportunity to acquire choice pieces, but a learning experience as their way of “promoting connoisseurship, and art and design appreciation.”
Included in the lineup of speakers is Floy Quintos, a specialist on traditional art and culture of the indigenous people of the Philippines. He will speak on the Ifugao bale, or house, in terms of structure and rituals. Ino Manalo, culture and heritage advocate and administrator, executive director of the National Archives, will also be there to speak on religious urnas, or home altars, known for its high craftsmanship and quality. Last, Prof. Ambeth F. Ocampo, Filipino historian and academic, will tackle collecting, stewardship and the responsibilities of an art collector on how to ensure that his collections last through generations.
Emmanuel Breguet, the general manager of Breguet France and the brand’s historian and archivist, is also slated to attend the event and speak on the heritage and artistry of the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, the copresenter of The Nonesuch. The Bank of the Philippine Islands and The Peninsula Manila sponsor the fair.
Admission options for The Nonesuch are a three-day pass for P1,000, or a daily pass for P350. Passes also serve as tickets to “The Nonesuch Salon.”
For more information on the choice pieces to be showcased at the fair, and for the final schedule of the lecture series, visit www.nonesuchfair.com or follow @nonesuchfair on Instagram and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thenonesuchfair.