MAARTE 2013: Oh, for art’s sake!

MANILA, Philippines - Maarte, “full of art” in Filipino, is a good approximation of our people. The word evokes the indescribable talent and style that define our everyday lives. The term can also be used to describe someone who puts on airs, an attitude that somehow still prevails in the art world.

When the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (MFPI) had to come up with a name for its three-day exhibition and sale of local museum-quality products, the organizers knew that MaARTe would catch people’s attention. Visual artist Alma Quinto then treaded (and threaded) a colorful path to follow by sewing the logo in cloth. All this began five years ago.

The project, dedicated to both established and emerging homegrown creativity, has developed an enthusiastic following. Last year, the bazaar broadened its reach in Power Plant Mall. This year, 54 exhibitors as well as 16 food vendors will set up booths at the Rockwell Tent from Aug. 23 to 25 to accommodate a growing number of audiences who come as much for the scene as the marketplace.

“There should be pride in our very own (products),” says MaARTe co-chairperson Maritess Pineda. “If buyers from abroad appreciate our handmade products, why shouldn’t we, too, be proud of them and use them as part of our daily lives?” 

Armita Rufino serves as co-chairperson of MaARTe 2013 with Al Caronan as curator and creative director.

“I was just a shopper last year. A lot of us are really artisans just starting out or artisans not looking to export,” says Georgina Teng of Alchemista, an eclectic and limited line of unusual and functional jewelry.

Indeed, there are many first time exhibitors in MaARTe 2013. Among them are John Danao of Silnag’s Raw Earth Collections, which showcases a stunning set of carabao horn and cow bone jewelry. “These are one-of-a-kind statement pieces for women who are not afraid to be looked at,” he says of the chunky accessories. “Don’t worry, they’re by-products of food so no animals were harmed for the purpose of obtaining the materials,” he says.

Some participants started out as hobbyists selling their D-I-Y designs on the Internet. Apol Lejano-Massebieau of La Pomme Kids began her aesthetic enterprise at Etsy (the online marketplace for handmade goods) when she was based in France. She says, “When I came back to the Philippines, I wanted to work with Filipino artists. La Pomme Kids is all about room décor. When I became a mom, I really appreciated my daughter’s creative play. A lot of the things I do, like the playhouses, are from the times we spent under the table playing bahay-bahayan. A lot of it is from being a mom.”

Blithe Sanchez-O‘Driscoll taught herself how to sew. A former accountant, she learned to profit by posting on Facebook. “My bags are mostly made from abaca. I grew up in Iloilo and Iloilo is known for its weavers. When I started getting serious about making bags, I decided to focus on that. Everything is made-to-order because I don’t want to stock up on things. I prefer to do it in small batches. I work from home and I do everything myself. I think it’s more fulfilling that way. I was shocked that I needed to make at least a hundred for MaARTe,” Blithe says.

For fair veterans, the event’s popularity (add to this its profitability) is the cherry on top of their sweet success. But there are other reasons why exhibitors are devoted to the cause.

Domesticity’s Mariel San Agustin employs out-of-school youth and sugar workers from her family’s farm in Negros Occidental. Her enterprise is not just for profit; it is also a socially conscious and responsible business. “We want to do good business, but we also want to teach the workers other skills. They are beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga Village. A portion of the sales goes to the building of houses and funds the activities of the community. We’ve already built a clinic and a reception area,” she says.

Aia Halili of Artful Charity does fundraising for her church by selling religious items and fashion-forward Marian jewelry. Artful Charity, aside from building churches, also extends its helping hand to physically and sexually abused children.

When the son of Aia’s friend got kidnapped, she wanted to do more than send her friend rosaries. Aia started fashioning a mother-and-child rosary out of clay. When her friend got her son back, unscathed, Aia and the members of the Artful Charity started using that kind of rosary whenever they knew someone was in a stressful situation. “Everything came out from giving. And hopefully we will inspire others. Because the talent that is given to us is free and infinite. And if we give, it will grow,” she says.

Galerie Stephanie will feature the whimsical works of Carlo Ongchangco. The painter-turned-sculptor puts his socially relevant ideas into three-dimensional interpretations without losing his sense of humor. Sculptor Glenn Cagandahan will also be represented by his folksy earth spirits, guitar players and carabao riders.

Since it started, the fair has grown and its shoppers are coming back to quality finds from vendors like The Olive Tree. Pey Olives and her team, using a tagline “live your linen dream,” are back this year to make those dreams come true with their table linens, bed sheets, runners, braided bags and other giveaways available in polyester-cotton blend, 100 percent cotton and jute and cotton combined. 

Lulu Tan-Gan’s knitwear is a favorite of jet setters. But it’s her Indigenous Couture, a fusion of piña and her signature knits, that expresses her Filipino identity and at the same time, redefines luxury.

“Ingenious and indigenous will forever be chic,” she says.

(MaARTe 2013 Artisan Fair will be held on Aug. 23 to 25 at the Rockwell Tent from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event is presented by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Inc. and Proscenium at Rockwell and is sponsored by Security Bank, Globe Telecom, Calata Corp., DMCI, Ralph’s, Freeway, Grace Park, Via Mare, Milkyway, Novellino Wines and Gree Air Conditioners.)