Dutch art in Manila

Dutch brothers Alex and Han Van Hagen reprised their highly-successful 2007 exhibit dubbed Van Hagen & Van Hagen: Brothers in Art Part 2. The exhibit showcased their photographs and exquisite copper etchings.

Alex, Manila’s most famous society event photographer, turned his lenses away from famous personalities to feature beautiful landscapes, still life and cityscapes captured from his travels. His photos of New York landmarks against clear blue skies were breathtaking! Close-up photos of books and steps were also standouts.

Han is one of Europe’s contemporary masters of copper etching and one of the founders of The Etch-club of The Hague. He was educated at the prestigious Royal Academy for Arts and Design in The Hague. I was torn between his etching inspired by the cave paintings of Lascaux or the rhinoceros etching paying homage to German painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer. I ended up choosing the latter. His animals and landscapes were equally stunning.

Presented by Nokia, the exhibit was held at The Gallery of The Peninsula Manila and marked the second time that the talented brothers collaborated for an exhibit. Guests included Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Brinks, Nokia Philippines GM William Hamilton-Whyte and The Peninsula Manila’s GM Jonathan Crook, which provided the exhibit’s venue and cocktails for guests.

The exhibit also showcased photographs of the La Mesa Watershed taken by Alex using Nokia N96 and N85 mobile phones.

Alex said, “Going around the city and taking photos using the Nokia N96 and N85 was a joy! Both mobile phones, which have a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and flash, produced clear, vivid and high quality images. They definitely brought out the beauty of the flora and fauna of the La Mesa Watershed.”

The event was supported by the Belo Medical Group, The Peninsula Manila, Bench, FILA, Philippine Tatler, Globe Asiatique, KLM, HSBC, Moet & Chandon, Eastwood Mall, Technomarine and JVC. Part of the proceeds from the exhibit will benefit the Real Life Foundation, an educational advocacy organization dedicated to serving the poor and improving their lives through educational assistance, leadership development and community service.

Han added, “To us, art isn’t just about showcasing and appreciating beauty, it’s also an instrument to make positive and lasting changes.”

A water-world weekend

It was a lifestyle event like no other at the Sea Expo — all kinds of boats, a regatta, wakeboarding demos, food, drinks and a live music all for the love of the water and everything that had something to do with the sea.

The event was the first ever nautical lifestyle expo held in Manila. It was held at One Esplanade and was the largest display of everything aquatic in the city. Boat manufacturers showed all kinds of boats for future seafarers. Diving equipment and schools had booths alongside boat engines and accessories, summer and beach wear brands, and exciting destination sites. Walking through One Esplanade, you would see speedboats, sailboats, kayaks, wet suits, diving gear, wakeboarding equipment, board shorts — anything and everything you need to have fun in the water and under the sun.

Soundsgood DJs provided music throughout the day with live bands performing at night while cruises were set during sunset. Fireworks added glitz to the evening’s festivities while a mini regatta was held during the last two days.

It was truly an enjoyable weekend to usher in the summer. The event was made possible with the support of the Department of Tourism, SM Land Inc., Ipanema, Stoked Inc, Stoneworks Marine, Wine Depot, Barcino, and Members Only. Food sponsors were Yoshinoya and Tapa King.