What to Expect for MoCAF 2023
Inclusive, dynamic, and engaging—the Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF) returns for its second edition. See what MoCAF has in store this year, from 28-30 July, at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati.
Written by Jewel Chuaunsu
July 28, 2023
The Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF) returns for its second edition with the same ethos of bringing modern and contemporary art together under one roof. MoCAF will once again take place at the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Makati from July 28 to 30, 2023.
MoCAF ups the ante this year with MoCAF XP, a series of pocket events taking place every Saturday of July in the run-up to the main event. Expanding its reach with new partners and different venues, MoCAF XP events included the MoCAF Art Bazaar at XCEPTION in Legazpi Village, Makati; the MoCAF Painting Workshop at Art Caravan in BGC; the MoCAF Printmaking Workshop at Commune in Poblacion; and the Collector’s Night at Ascott Bonifacio Glocal City.
As for the art festival itself, MoCAF will have 32 exhibitors this year, comprising participating galleries and special exhibitions. Returning galleries include Ysobel Art Gallery, DF Art Agency, Paseo Gallery, Village Art Gallery, Qube Gallery, R Gallery, and the Galerie Joaquin Group. New local exhibitors joining for the first time include Vinyl on Vinyl, Metro Gallery, Art for Space, Rojo Galerie, OpenArt Gallery, STEM Projects, and Art Toys PH. International galleries such as YOD TOKYO & Editions, Gallery Kogure, Kobayashi Gallery, and Artemis Art will also take part.
Visitors can look forward to special solo and group exhibitions featuring leading artists in the country today. Glass House will showcase glass sculptures created by artist families—Ramon, Anna, and Michael Orlina, as well as Marge Organo and daughter Raisa Luz. Solo shows such as Constructions of Color by Michael Cacnio, Flora Symphonie by Katrina Cuenca, and Garden Masquerade by Daniel Dela Cruz will see the artists unveil brand-new works created for MoCAF.
Representing the Modernists are Masters of Modern Art and Sanso Modernos: The Very Best. The Association of Pinoyprintmakers returns with a new lineup of printmakers. Also new this year are four NFT Integrated Murals presented by CryptoArt Philippines, and Melissa Yeung-Yap’s Pentapus creations.
MoCAF Discoveries will highlight 40 emerging artists to watch while MoCAF Festival Director Coleen Wong curates Sense and Serendipity featuring Distort Monsters, Doktor Karayom, Zuh Dai, Christian Tamondong, and Angelica So.
Rounding out the festival program is MoCAF Dialogues, a series of panel discussions covering topics such as Art and Public Policy, Art and AI, and the Problem of Art Forgery. Aside from these talks, MoCAF Dialogues will also have an NFT Signing event with Reen Barrera and a sitter session with Box Camera PH.
MoCAF is co-presented by HSBC and sponsored by Aurelia Residences, Fairmont Makati, Globe Platinum, Vibal Foundation, XCEPTION, Art Caravan, Ascott BGC, Scott’s, and Commune.
To purchase tickets, visit www.mocaf.net. Follow @mocafmanila on Instagram and @mocaf.net on Facebook for regular updates. 