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Ghosts of the Highway series by Mariano Ching

Noel Orosa is the author of the chant we recite whenever we look at art, especially conceptual art.

Kaya ko rin yan
Ba’t di mo ginawa?
Kaya ko rin yan
Ba’t di mo ginawa?

I can do that, too
Then why didn’t you?
I can do that, too
Then why didn’t you?
(Repeat until you exit)

Clearly we could not chant that in front of this painting by Orly Ypon.

Ruma-Raft of the Medusa, we said. If Gericault had not died young, Delacroix might not have been as important, Leo pointed out. Yes, teacher.

Paintings of architecture by Jay Ticar. Umi-Inception, we noted. I’d prefer sculpture, said Noel.

The main attraction of Art Fair Philippines is the sheer number of recent works gathered together in one place. There’s so much stuff to see that we missed a lot on our first visit. Such as these intricate Alice in Wonderland sculptures by Daniel de la Cruz.

Detail from the procession of cards

Cheshire Cat

Summit by Benjie Torrado

Curtains by Impy Pilapil

Angel by Geraldine Javier

That concludes this year’s edition of Art Fair Philippines. We hope you found the time to check it out and make up your own mind. Now go forth and ask yourself the questions we’ve been mulling over in light of the local art boom:

How good is the art? Are you impressed by the quality of the work, or by the popularity of the artist? (Do you want it because it’s in now?) Are you buying it on the dealer’s word that it’s worthwhile because you don’t know what is worthwhile? Are you looking at it as investment that promises to quadruple in time? Are you buying it as your ticket to the social subset also known as the art collectors? Go.