Visayas Art Fair and Bodega Caravan take place in Cebu, featuring a variety of art pieces and goods.
Drifting Towards Art: A Giant Dragon and Famous Filipino Pieces in Cebu
Stepping into the bustling Oakridge Business Park in Cebu, Philippines, one can't help but halt in awe, face to face with a towering, real-life dragon. The mesmerizing "The Bearer of Infinite Blessings" sculpture, crafted from driftwood and repurposed materials, has made its temporary home amidst the buildings, catching the eyes of passersby.
At an eye-popping 6 meters high and weighing over 2.5 tons, the dragon is more of a monument than an installation. It's been wowing crowds at the situated Gardens by the Bay in Singapore during Chinese New Year and in the United Kingdom. Currently, it stands vigilant, guarding the treasures housed within the Visayas Art Fair venue.
A veritable treasure trove of artistic brilliance will await art enthusiasts flocking to the fair. Among the exhibits is the contribution made by Museo Cariño, a much-anticipated cultural hotspot nestled in the Cebu mountain landscape. The museum, still closed to the public, was the dream project of Ambassador Jose Maria A. Cariño. During the opening ceremony, he shared his sentiments about Cebu:
"You know, this thing about small fish in a big pond, a big fish in a small pond. Well, that’s partly true. But it's mostly because 40 years ago, I came to Cebu and I fell in love with Cebu."
Cariño went on to explain that it took him 20 years to create his museum. "I've had to make money, little by little," he said, hinting at its imminent opening in December. The museum will house more than 20 original works by Juan Luna, a Filipino art prodigy, including his only surviving sculpture, depicting his son Luling who later became an architect, designing the Crystal Palace in Manila.
One of Luna's celebrated masterpieces, "Ut Diligatis Invicem," is on display at Museo Cariño's booth at the Visayas Art Fair. A captivating and intricate painting like the Spoliarium and Hymen o Hymenee, the work embodies the power and unity of human connections.
Another masterpiece exhibited is "The Galician Coast" by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo. Painted in 1880, the work showcases Hidalgo's neo-classical brilliance, portraying the sea with its mysterious allure and contrast between the figures of fishermen and the impending storm, symbolizing the enduring and transformative power of art.
Museo Cariño's booth at the Visayas Art Fair displays various other renowned Filipino works, such as Miguel Zaragoza's "El Cochero," Fabián dela Rosa's "Lady in the Garden," Félix Martínez's "The Rose Garden," and Simon Flores' "The Holy Family with a Lamb" (copy of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino).
While Museo Cariño's display draws the limelight, the Visayas Art Fair also hosts a diverse range of artists from all over the country, including National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, offering attendees a vibrant and stimulating dose of artistic inspiration. With participating artists and writers, the fair highlights the regional artistic resilience and the transformative power of art to engage, unite, and inspire.
"This year we face a unique challenge, right? The emergence of competing art fairs may seem daunting, but it is precisely these challenges that test our resolve and drive us to innovate. We must view this not as a threat, but an opportunity to further elevate the standards of our fair and showcase the unique artistic identity of the Visayas," said the Head of the National Committee on Art Gallery of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Tess Rayos del Sol.
A short distance away from the fair, the Bodega Design Caravan introduces visitors to a spectrum of furnishings, fashion, and accessories. Organized by the Cebu Culture Art and Design Foundation, the event celebrates the creativity and diversity of arts and crafts in Cebu and other Visayan regions.
Both the Visayas Art Fair and Bodega Caravan continued from November 19 until the 24th. Under the banner of Cebu Culture Art and Design Foundation (CCADF), the cultural extravaganza invites art lovers and enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of art, culture, and design in the heart of Cebu.
Engage with the rich tapestry of art, culture, and design in the heart of Cebu, as the Bodega Design Caravan offers a spectrum of furnishings, fashion, and accessories, showcasing the creativity and diversity of arts and crafts in Cebu and other Visayan regions.
Discover the lifestyle transformation as you explore Museo Cariño's booth at the Visayas Art Fair, featuring renowned Filipino works, such as Juan Luna's "Ut Diligatis Invicem," a captivating painting embodying the power and unity of human connections, and Miguel Zaragoza's "El Cochero," amidst various other masterpieces.
