The cold air was thick with…less. Less art, more spectators, less sensory overload. This year’s Art Fair Philippines felt like a detox, a minimalist’s dream. Gone were the sprawling galleries and overwhelming installations of last year’s exhibit. Instead, we were greeted by a subtle sparseness, a deliberate emptiness that some might call…uninspired.
But amidst the dark lavender walls and lesser booths, there were gems to be found. Emerging artists, unburdened by the weight of expectation, let their creativity bloom. Textile art, once relegated to grandma’s attic, took center stage. Conversations flowed freely over coffee tables, strangers united by their shared love of…well, not that much art, but at least the lack of it.
One collector, a self-proclaimed “traditionalist with a twist,” confessed her newfound appreciation for emerging artists. She particularly admired those who “use less paint and more used textile.” This approach is probably better for the environment anyway.” An artist, emboldened by the downsized audience, declared, “This is the future! Less is more, people!”
And perhaps, in today’s world saturated with visuals and clutter, there was some truth to that. Maybe less art provided more opportunities to connect. It allowed appreciation of the quiet spaces. It also invited pondering the meaning of silence. At least there was the absence of “too much.”
So, was the 2024 Art Fair Philippines a triumph approach to minimalism or a creative silence? The answer, like most things in art, is subjective expression. One thing is for sure. It is a memorable experience. This is true if only for its sheer lack of everything but more meaning.
