1st Manila Biennale opens up the Walled City
The Manila Biennale, inspired by the famous Venice Biennale and the first of its kind in the Philippines, will be turning the Walled City of Intramuros into a public art exposition space. The event will transform the many gardens, plazas, museums, and chambers of Intramuros into art exhibition spaces, galleries, performance venues, lecture halls from Feb. 3 to Mar. 5.

Themed “OPENCITY,” the first Manila Biennale is a collaborative effort among Manila’s arts and culture communities and will feature theater, performance arts, visual arts, spoken word poetry sessions, music, design, fashion, and architecture. The festival aims to reposition old Manila as a point of cultural interest for the international art community, a flashpoint for art and heritage tourism to flourish in the country.
“Nothing is for sale, but your experience. The aim of this event is to bring the soul back to Manila through art,” – Carlos Celdran, tour guide cultural activist, performance artist, and Manila Beinnale organizer

The Manila Biennale is divided into two components: collaborative and curated programs. Under the collaborative programs are festivities. The festivals include the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ annual Pasinaya Festival, the Fringe Festival, the Anthology Festival of Design and Architecture, and the Pink Shorts LGBT Festival. Meanwhile, the curated programs will include festivals of performance arts and exhibitions on visual arts and design.
A host of local artists’ works will be highlighted during the month long event, as will those from international artists arriving from countries like the US, Japan, Europe, Iran, Canada, and Australia, among others.
Getting around Manila Biennale
Navigating around Intramuros will be made easier through the Infomuros mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Infomuros will feature the locations of the Biennale exhibitions, along with information on the artworks and artists. It will also give directions to all historic landmarks, museums, parks, shopping areas, dining options, and public facilities in the Walled City.


Tickets are priced at PhP5,300 for the Biennale Passport (include access to all Biennale exhibitions; access to all museums and parks in Intramuros; transportation between all Biennale sites within Intramuros; invitation to the Artists’ Ball and Manila Transitio Memorial Concert; priority reservations for all screenings, talks, performances, and other public programs; concierge services at the VIP Lounge; and discounts or special deals with Manila Biennale partners); PhP880 for Regular Day Pass (include access to all Biennale exhibitions; access to all museums and parks in Intramuros; transportation between all Biennale sites within Intramuros); and PhP380 for Student Day Pass (include access to all Biennale exhibitions and access to all museums and parks in Intramuros)
For more information, email opencity@manilabiennale.ph or follow their Facebook and Instagram page @manilabiennale
 
By VIA BAROMA