ManilaART on the future of art fairs and exhibitions
It’s a sign of the times that ManilART2020 has migrated many of its activities online. This is not just in compliance with health guidelines, but also to make art more accessible today and responsive in the future.
This year, the fair’s focus is on “2020 Vision for a Future Reimagined.” While digital platforms for art are not new, its mainstreaming in the art world at large has been accelerated as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where everyone can discover and be discovered
Online exhibits have spanned various disciplines across the years—some of the earliest include a virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the archival Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network, both operational since the year 2000. Carlo Acutis—known as the “first millennial saint” and beatified just this year by the Catholic Church—made his own virtual museum of Eucharistic miracles as well.
Art has been accessible in niche areas ever since artists, galleries, and collectors have had the means to make accounts on certain platforms: online creators from the early to mid-2000s would be intimately familiar with art communities DeviantArt and Behance, for example. With everyone on social media, it’s now easier to discover and be discovered. One can easily search #ArtistsOfInstagram or #ArtistsOnTwitter, among countless other keywords.
Following suit
Several industries have moved from physical spaces to the online sphere to keep their operations running. It’s the same for museums, galleries, and artists the world over—they are crafting the language for art’s future as they go along.
For instance, this year’s iteration of ArtBasel offered online viewing rooms in place of their canceled Hong Kong fair. Still, it turned out to be a success with upwards of 230 art dealers, 2,000 artworks, and an estimated value of $270 million in sales.
Google itself has also made efforts towards online art spaces with Google Arts & Culture, which has been operational since 2011. The platform provides high-resolution images and videos of artworks and cultural artifacts from partner cultural organizations throughout the world. Over 100 museums have partnered specifically with their Street View feature, where you can wander the hallowed halls of the Acropolis Museum in Greece, Musée d’Orsay in France, and the MoMA in the United States–-all from the comfort of your couch.
From Filipiniana to “Freelipiniana”
Our very own museums, galleries, and artists have also moved online for wider audiences and diverse options for their presentation. The Museo de Intramuros, Filipinas Heritage Library, Presidential Museum and Library, andFilipino Street Art Project are on Google’s aforementioned platform where you can remotely browse historical artifacts and revel in Metro Manila’s murals.
Many established local museums have taken to virtual tours and online resources. Their physical exhibitions may be closed, but online, they remain open 24/7 and free for all. The National Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Ayala Museum, andYuchengco Museumhave uploaded walkthroughs of their exhibitions. Being online has also been a boon to art sellers such as Filipino Art and Cartellino, bridging physical distances especially for artists outside of Manila.
Many long-standing online cultural initiatives have gained traction due to the global situation’s rise in online activity. The Martial Law Museum, for instance, has put together a digital museum, library, and online modules for education about the Marcos dictatorship. Likhaan has also curated a Freelipiniana Online Library, making submissions from artists and writers openly available to the public.
ManilART’s future reimagined
ManilART2020’s theme focuses on the future reimagined. This alludes not just to our current public health concerns, but also to the preparations necessary to ensure a better future.
The website will provide full virtual walkthroughs that will bring the audience to the fair itself via 360 degree photographic panorama. This differs from a virtual exhibition wherein works are mounted and visualized only in a virtual space or setting.
Walkthrough visitors will be able to experience the fair as it is onsite; much like the Google Street View function. In addition, the portal will serve as a link to engage with the individual participating exhibitors through their own websites, social media or collateral materials like electronic catalogs.
Aside from this almost-there experience, various online activities, both synchronous and asynchronous are lined up including tours, webinars and demonstrations. This broadens the reach to the global stage, overcoming distances and time zones.
There will still be a physical component to ManilART2020 happening on December 9-13 at SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City. This will strictly adhere to safety protocols. Pre-registration for the physical fair will occur primarily online, while online ticket sales will be completely contactless.
The physical fair schedule will follow two days of VIP previews and three days open to the general public, with timed entrances to ensure the safety of the exhibitors, artists, and audiences.
Everyone is invited to contribute to this ongoing cultural conversation whether online, onsite or both by visiting www.manilartfair.org.
Banner image: “The Lucid Dreamers” by Ted Penaflor IV