Exhibition designer Baby Imperial of All At Once shaped the spatial strategy of ALT ART 2026, its largest edition to date. The fair occupied Halls 1 and 2 of SMX Convention Center Manila, expanding in both footprint and ambition. Organized by the ALT Collective—Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, […]
Benilde Open Design + Art 2024 Allows You To Embrace the CURIOUS Mindset
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde has launched the inaugural Benilde Open Design + Art 2024, an extraordinary event celebrating creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence. In collaboration with De La Salle University and the Embassy of Switzerland, this exhibit showcases a diverse array of works from selected artists and designers who were awarded a Php 300,000 grant to realize their unique projects.
Showcasing Visionary Artists and Designers
From an impressive pool of 324 proposals, only 27 exceptional projects were chosen to participate in the exhibition. The grantees represent a broad spectrum of creative disciplines. Among the distinguished participants are renowned artists such as Nice Buenaventura and Costantino Zicarelli, RJ Fernandez, Lyra Garcellano, Aaron Kaiser Garcia, Rambie Lim, Gabe Mercado, Lala Monserrat in collaboration with Russ Ligtas, Geric Cruz and Jazel Kristin, Issay Rodriguez, Mikayla Teodoro, Michael Vea, and Errol Balcos. Their works push the boundaries of contemporary art and design, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
Developing Puppetry in the Philippines by Mikayla Teodoro
Baluy Manghagdaway by Errol Balcos
Exploring the Use of Silk Weaving by Rambie Lim
Polymer and Palm (Excerpts of the Tropikalye Index) by Nice Buenaventura and Costantino Zicarelli
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Celebrating the Best of Benilde
In addition to the Benilde Open, the exhibition features the Best of Benilde category, which highlights 17 remarkable projects by Benilde students. These young creatives also received grants and full curatorial support to bring their ideas to life. The talented students include Louisa Ray Cagaligen, Xandrix Antaso Corpuz Jr, Danielle Cusi, Asia Entico, Gela Mae C. Gamil, Veronica Landig, Pia Maghirang, Earl John Marquez, Rexcel Cariaga and Dars Juson, Camille Jay Pinton, Brian Ilustrisimo Razon, Jonas Roque, Shane Mariel Figuerra, Charles Cedric Quianzon, John Patrick Pascua, Maria Abigail Uson, Akira Watanabe, Liezel Ann Nierves, Glaeor Magne Dominguez, Mariana Julian Bernal with faculty mentor Alejandro Hector Reyes, Jasmine Fiona Tan, and Jasmila Clarisse San. Their projects span various mediums, including video, textiles, puppetry, visual art, apps, augmented reality, sculpture, photography, and software, showcasing the breadth of talent and creativity within the Benilde community.
The Kid in Me by Jamila San
Re-move: Unravelling Truths Behind the Spectacle of Indigenous Exposition through Contemporary Performance Lens by Aaron Kaiser Garcia
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Exploring Diverse Artistic Mediums
The exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore a wide range of artistic expressions and innovative mediums. From thought-provoking videos and intricate textiles to immersive augmented reality experiences and interactive software, the works on display highlight the endless possibilities of art and design. Each project reflects the unique vision and creative prowess of its creator, inviting viewers to engage with new ideas and perspectives.
Cosmic Garden by Issay Rodriguez
Spotlight on Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Literature by Michael Vea
Featuring Heidi Bucher’s Masterpieces
Adding an international dimension to the exhibit, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila is hosting works by the celebrated Swiss artist Heidi Bucher (1926-1993). The exhibit, titled “Heidi Bucher: and pull yesterday into today,” arrived in Manila following successful runs in Seoul and Beijing. Bucher is famous for her innovative use of materials and exploration of memory and transformation, offering a compelling counterpoint to the contemporary pieces in the Benilde Open.
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Heidi Bucher: and pull yesterday into today
Benilde Open Design + Art 2024 is not just an exhibition; it is a vibrant cultural event offering a rich program of public talks, workshops, and activities. Highlights include a discussion on Heidi Bucher’s legacy featuring her sons Indigo and Mayo Bucher, as well as fireside chats on topics such as creative courage, grant proposal writing, women in design and architecture, and industry insights. The Benilde Open grantees and Best of Benilde students will also lead sessions on puppetry, psychogeography, performance, fashion, and board games. Additionally, Benilde faculty will conduct workshops on printmaking, prosthetics, intellectual property, and lesson plan design, open to all students, faculty, and non-Benildeans.
Benilde Open Design + Art 2024 and Best of Benilde exhibitions are open to the public until June 30, 2024, across multiple venues at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde – School of Design + Arts (SDA) Campus, MCAD Manila, and the Hub for Innovation. Free guided tours are available every 20 minutes from the SDA campus lobby, offering an insightful look into the works on display.
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Photos courtesy of Benilde Open Design and Arts
ALT ART, organized by the ALT Collective—Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, and West Gallery—presents a focused platform for Philippine contemporary art. As the fair continues to evolve, it expands its scale and curatorial scope, reinforcing its growing presence within the Philippine art scene. Creative Practices […]
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Inside Art Fair Philippines 2026: Religious Imagery, Material Experimentation, and Social Commentary
Art Fair Philippines 2026 gathered art enthusiasts and collectors in Makati for one of the country’s leading showcases of contemporary Philippine art. Designed by Nazareno/Lichauco, the fair moved to Circuit Corporate Center One in Ayala Circuit, marking a new chapter in its spatial identity. Across its booths and projects, the fair positioned contemporary Philippine art […]
Ronald Ventura is one of the most recognizable figures in Southeast Asian contemporary art. Since his first solo exhibitions in the 2000s, Ventura has become known for his signature multi-layered paintings. Featuring hyperrealism, cartoons, graffiti, and other recurring motifs, hisworks—from paintings to sculptures—are pluralistic in both form and material. Throughout his career, his art has […]
As the built environment evolves, the role of the architect demands reconsideration. For Jose Siao Ling, Co-Founder and Principal Architect of Jose Siao Ling & Associates (JSLA Architects), the role extends far beyond being a licensed professional who designs and oversees construction. By championing ethical practice, ISO-certified systems, and mentorship-driven leadership, he built a firm […]
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Public spaces in Metro Manila are often defined by movement rather than pause. People in transit hurry through; the underpass is a shortcut, not a place to stop. Underground, the installation by photography group FotomotoPH, reimagined the Paseo Underpass as a visual experience. FotomotoPH is a Philippine-based photography collective dedicated to promoting, exhibiting, and fostering […]
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