The organizers of Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park introduce The Nonesuch: Fine Collectibles and Rarities, a new kind of fair that showcases a vetted selection of art, antiques, furniture, jewelry, books, maps and prints, rare objects and other collectibles in a unique setting.
From today till Oct. 29 at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, The Nonesuch will be highlighted by the quality and rarity of the featured pieces.
“Those interested in art likely gravitate to singular, finely wrought, pieces that speak of heritage, carry interesting stories, and tell of the memories embedded in them,” said Trickie Lopa, co-founder of The Nonesuch. “We feel that after putting together events that focus on contemporary art, local enthusiasts will welcome a fair where they can revisit decorative art traditions. Launching The Nonesuch is a natural extension of what we do in terms of widening the exposure of Manila’s audience to craftsmanship,” Lopa added.
The three-day event will be staged by Gino Gonzales, one of Manila’s most creative set designers, who recently bagged the silver prize at the 2017 World Stage Design by the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) held in Taipei, Taiwan.
According to co-founder Lisa Periquet, The Nonesuch is patterned after well-known fine arts and antiques fairs such as Masterpiece London and The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht. “A wide range of top-quality objects will be displayed and offered for sale in a special setting that is designed to highlight their aesthetic, historical, and collectible aspects,” said Periquet.
Leading objets d’art purveyors will contribute special pieces for The Nonesuch. The list of participating exhibitors include: Gallery Deus, Gallery Joshua, Gallery of Prints, Leon Gallery, Maria Angelica Rare Finds, Maria Closa, Natalya Lagdameo, Nicole Whisenhunt, Osmundo, Tawalisi Antiques, and Unang Panahon.
To complement the fair, the organizers also created The Nonesuch Salon – a speakers’ series of talks that enhances visitor experience of the fair. The Nonesuch Salon will be held at the Nolledo/Hernandez and Garcia Villa function rooms of The Peninsula Manila.
“Aside from providing an opportunity to acquire choice pieces, The Nonesuch will also be a learning experience widened by a lecture series. It is our way of promoting connoisseurship, and art and design appreciation,” explains Dindin Araneta, also a co-founder of fair.
Emmanuel Breguet, Breguet France GM and the brand’s historian and archivist, will attend the event and speak on the brand’s heritage.
Other speakers are Floy Quintos, a specialist on traditional art and culture of the indigenous people of the Philippines. He will speak on the Ifugao bale; Ino Manalo, culture and heritage advocate and administrator, executive director of the National Archives, will speak on religious urnas, and; Prof. Ambeth F. Ocampo, Filipino historian, academic, journalist will speak on collecting and stewardship.
The Nonesuch: Fine Collectibles and Rarities is co-presented by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Breguet, and sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands and The Peninsula Manila.
Visitors can opt to purchase a three-day pass for P1,000 valid from Oct. 27 to 29, or a daily pass for P350. Ticket holders are also eligible to attend the Nonesuch Salon.
For more information on the choice pieces to be showcased at the fair, and for the final schedule of the lecture series, visit www.nonesuchfair.com or follow its social media accounts @nonesuchfair on Instagram and www.facebook.com/thenonesuchfair.
