The Makati City local government launched on Tuesday, Feb. 7, a revolutionary art exhibit aimed at combining the elegance and beauty of art and sophistication of technology made by Filipino artists in celebration of the National Arts Month.
Dubbed as "Paint to Pixel," the launch of the art exhibit in the Museo ng Makati was led by Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Draper Startup House Philippines General Manager Celine Veloso, Makati Museum and Cultural Affairs Office OIC and International Relations Department Head Maria Concepcion Yabut, and other government officials.
The Paint to Pixel art exhibit features digital works using augmented reality (AR) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) created by local artists and creative communities such as Likha, Filipinas NFT, and Crypto Art Philippines, among others.
According to Veloso, Paint to Pixel was started last year when Draper launched its Artist Collective Program with the goal of supporting artists who are venturing into the web3 space.
"As web3 grows rapidly in the Philippines, a rise in new forms of art is taking over the scene. This emerging medium of creativity has brought about promising talent that sees new possibilities for art at the forefront of technology," Veloso said during the exhibit's launch.
"With our partner artist communities and collaboration with the Museum, Culture and Arts Office of the City of Makati, we are bringing these pioneer artists together with those who believe in spreading the future of arts through this Paint to Pixel exhibit," she added.
The exhibit also features Filipinas NFT's first collection dubbed as "Abante Babae," which features works from 12 Filipina artists, both known and new, that represents women empowerment infused with Filipino cultural and traditional elements.
Mayor Abby Binay, in a message read by Lagdameo, expressed her excitement in showcasing the artworks of Filipinos engaged in AR and NFTs in celebration of the National Arts Month.
"I hope this will be a great opportunity to appreciate our traditions using contemporary artforms and mediums which define our identity as Filipinos," Binay said.
Paint to Pixel will run until April 30.
More exhibits to be launched
Aside from the Paint to Pixel art exhibit, the city government will also spearhead several other art exhibits in celebration of the National Arts Month with the theme "Ani Ng Sining: Bunga Ng Galing”.
One of which is the Art Fair Philippines' exhibit at The Link in Makati from Feb. 17 to 19, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Art Fair Philippines is a platform for exhibiting and selling the best in modern and contemporary Philippine visual arts.
The ticket prices range from P200 to P450 for a Day Pass; concession tickets are priced at P200 for Makati Students with valid IDs, P350 for Students with valid IDs / Senior Citizens / PWDs.
The 10 Days of Art exhibit will also be launched on Feb 10 to 19 around Metro Manila in line with Art Fair Philippines. The event will feature public art and gallery, museum exhibitions, as well as food and drinks.
The group Tezos Filipinos will also hold an exhibit featuring the works of local artists in the web3 space. Aside from showcasing Filipino talent in art, Tezos Filipinos also aims to build awareness by contributing to the digital footprint of the Philippine language, history, arts, and culture through the Tezos blockchain.
The exhibit will be launched on Feb. 11.