Surprise surprise, there's an actual, living and breathing art scene in Manila.

(Check out the metros best art galleries here)

Yup, art shows are real—you know, those things where people attend openings, drink wine, munch on yummy h’ordeuvres, and talk about the finer things in life. Just like in the movies. 

Cliché much, I know, but must I prepare you for a different type of sensory experience, understand that, at the end of the day: IT’S JUST ART. Although others might beg to differ, know that this ‘gallery crawl’ is more of an appetizer; let’s save the main course for later.

If you’re sick of the usual Manila club scene, or you’re interested in art but haven’t the slightest idea on what spaces to check out, then fret no more, art fans. Juice gives you the lowdown on which galleries to include in your 2-day adventure through Manila's art scene.

Side note: I wouldn’t recommend any rigid sequence for a gallery crawl. That would be illogical. What I can do is suggest the order of galleries to check out (based on location) mostly for convenience’ sake. So, go on and color your world!

                                                        The 'scene' at SLab

Art Scout: Be Prepared! Come with...

An Open Mind – Trust me, you haven’t seen ‘weird’ yet; but more importantly, learn to respect the work of the artist. If you disagree with a certain idea, be courteous about it--or simply exit the gallery. Unless you’ve prepared hardcore art-theory-debate material, it’s best to keep emotional (more so, violent) reactions at bay. It’s as simple as that. 

But leave Judgy Judgerson at home! – One of the sweetest persons I know has pink hair, the other, an arm full of tattoos, so leave your ex-convict presumptions and staring contests outside the gallery! I graduated from an art school full of radical characters; one thing I learned was to see people for who they are, and not what they look like! You don’t have to be super friendly, but at the very least, BE POLITE.

The ARTinerary

DAY 1: South Bound--Makati Marathon: In the heART of the city

Synonymous with its club scene, in Makati thrives a number of very accessible galleries. The short distance between Makati galleries will allow for a fruitful day of gallery-hopping. 

1. Manila Contemporary: 

Spatial Features: A large high-ceiling space (300 square meters in area) with a smaller upstairs section devoted to smaller exhibitions (it has been an active space since December 2008).

House Blend: Artists from the Philippines and the greater Southeast Asia; while it prides itself in exhibiting regional bigwigs, Manila Contemporary has also been a stepping stone for young and upcoming artists.

Specials: Exhibition themes and styles, cutting across all media for love, religion, and even the more delicate matters of politics and existentialism.

2. SLab: 

Spatial Features: Mirroring the elements, design and professional structure of the Silverlens Gallery, SilverlensLAB is the new gallery (established 2008), for Philippine contemporary art under the Silverlens group.

House Blend: Silverlens and SLab artists push the boundaries of their medium and are aggressive in their dialogue with a critical audience. 

Specials: The gallery artists are represented by Silverlens internationally for their exposure and recognition.

3. Finale Art File: 

Spatial Features: Sprawling at 450 square meters, the space is divided into three multi-functional galleries: The Tall Gallery (the largest in terms of floor area), Upstairs Gallery, and Video Room. Huge paintings, sculptures, and installations can be accommodated.

House Blend: Finale's roster of artists is as diverse as the art exhibited: from modern masters to up-and-coming young artists making their debut; from painters, sculptors, and printmakers to installation artists. 

Specials: Finale provides the artist with sufficient leeway to venture into daring exhibitions that resist classification, emboldening the artist with its open-mindedness to experimentation. Finale also does appraisal and documentation for big corporations and private collectors, seasonal auctions, and package artist talks and forums.

4. Tin-Aw: 

Spatial Features: A quaint art space located at the center of the Philippines' leading financial district. The word "tin-aw" refers to the Filipino vernacular for clear, lucid water. 

House Blend: Tin-aw represents multi-awarded artists Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Joy Mallari, Ferdinand Montemayor, and Mark Justiniani. 

Specials: An annual exhibit of the best thesis works from the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts is usually held in Tin-aw.

5. Altro Mondo – Arte Contemporanea: 3rd Floor, Space 3-035, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center

Spatial Features: Altro Mondo's super convenient commercial location invites the 'non-art' public to stop and smell the flowers.

House Blend: Altro Mondo represents both local and foreign artists; it aims to develop Asian avant-garde work and art experimentation. 

Specials: Its focus on internationalization--as to open broader avenues of exchange between the Philippine art field, the region, and the globe. 

6. MO Space:  

Spatial Features: An alternative exhibition space for critically engaged painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video.

House Blend: Manila's most dynamic set of contemporary artists who consistently challenge and expand the boundaries of Philippine Art.

Specials: Artist-centered rather than market-driven; visit MOs if you seek to experience a more conceptual and less mainstream approach to art, as opposed to being consumed by its decorative, face-value features. 

7. Pablo:

Spatial Features: Its ideal location-- the Fort: an evolving hub for the modern arts.

House Blend: Older, mid-career, or more established artists as well as under-recognized older artists. 

Specials: The gallery has caught the attention of critics, older artists, members of the academe, art collectors, and other gallerists.