Here is a rundown of some of the most creative and unique items and pieces found at this year’s Modern and Contemporary Arts Festival (MOCAF)

Words Andrea Brigino
Featured photo courtesy of Jio Japson
July 5, 2024

MOCAF is back for its third run in 2024, marking a fresh wave of artistic vision and innovation at BGC this weekend from July 5-7. This year promises bigger spaces, brighter exhibits, and more attractions and activities to awaken, revitalize, or simply create a space for all attendees to enjoy. Their goal is not only to spotlight and celebrate various local artists but also to bridge the gap between artisans and visitors through the different festivities offered at this event.

This year’s lineup, curated by talented artisans, does not disappoint with its wide selection of special displays, products, and local artworks from across the country. Here are 10 standout pieces from the featured artisans:

Imao Studios

Imao Studios is partnering with iCare, an organization that helps artists with disabilities and their families. Their goal is to support these artists, not for profit, but to set up scholarships under Abdulmari Imao. The artist’s work includes plates, mouse pads, mugs, and various jugs on display.

XP Collective

MOCAF aims to expand the range of art through multiple displays of stickers and prints typically found at art conventions. XP Collective has collaborated with several up-and-coming younger artists to showcase their merchandise and jewelry lines. Vultureville, in particular, offers keychains and stickers featuring Jollibee and other cartoon characters in a unique, street art style.

Art Caravan

Art Caravan displays works from established artisans and provides a platform for newer artists to get acquainted with different painting styles. They offer a wide selection of colors, sizes, and brands of high-quality art materials to suit any artist’s vision.

Rigmat Arts and Culture Fest

Rigmat Arts is a collection of artworks by students and full-time practitioners from the Linangan Arts Residency in Bicol. They aim to bring emerging artists from different provinces to the city. Jeno Padernal’s piece, inspired by the Jeepney phaseout, spreads awareness about the current state of Jeepney drivers.

Everything’s Fine

Everything’s Fine is a collective of artists from different walks of life. Senior artist Agnes Arellano sculpted a red clay piece with green varnishes, exploring erotica and female sexuality. This piece, based on an old mold from 2022, was created for a show called “Bliss.”

RIOtaso

RIOtaso’s pieces undergo an artistic process called “textile play,” described as a Tetris puzzle with different fabrics. Each piece, from vests to bags, is made from off-cut scrap fabric. The curator combines and maintains the fabrics in a unique way, making each design irreplicable.

Verygood

In collaboration with MOCAF, Verygood showcases artists with distinct styles using tin cans of the same size. This presentation challenges the perception of art for visual appeal, investment, or function, or a combination of these traits, depending on how future owners use them.

Inday Cadapan

Inday Cadapan displays detailed dioramas, statues, and woven bags of different sizes. These bags, made from natural materials grown in Bao, Bicol, use water lily combined with straw and crochet materials to create floral designs.

Guava Sketches

Guava Sketches offers dinnerware, candles, pots, and lamps from various Asian artists based in the Philippines. These mini bags, designed by Ebia, a Japanese designer, use vintage kimono fabric, also featured in stools, bags, and shoes.

GF Emporium

This piece, in collaboration with Bidibidi, is exclusive to GF Emporium. It features a large bag made from upcycled denim and other fabrics, with an overlapping crochet design and delicate hand embroidery details.