a-list: clothespin art by gerry stecca
Written by designfolder on February 6, 2012 – 1:17 am -
I have a newfound respect for the humble sipit (clothespin)! Gerry Stecca is the artist behind these amazing sculptural installations.
I hope this will inspire you to look at ordinary things in a different light. Have a great week! 
Tags: a-list, sculpture
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a-list: valerie chua at heima
Written by designfolder on November 23, 2011 – 11:18 am -
Valerie Chua’s solo exhibit happening tonight at Heima, Makati. Here’s a sneak peek of her works c/o Heima. Lovely pieces! They somehow remind of the illustrations in the ending theme of 70s anime Candy Candy.
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“Valerie Chua is a self-taught illustrator from Manila. She started painting halfway through college and has never let go of the brush since then. She specializes in traditional media such as watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. Her work is predominantly influenced by East Asian watercolor artists and magical realist literature and poetry. Backyard of the Universe is Valerie’s first major solo exhibit, marking her breakthrough as a painter who specializes in illustrative art and storytelling.”
Tags: a-list, art
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weekend art fair
Written by designfolder on September 2, 2011 – 4:27 pm -
Happening this weekend: 10a Alabama’s 2nd handmade art fair and film viewing.
Yay, it’s Saturday again!
Tags: 10a alabama, a-list
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10a alabama st.: hausbesetzer laboratory
Written by designfolder on July 13, 2011 – 9:00 am -
Of the three sections inside 10A Alabama, the quirkiest would have to be Hausbesetzer Laboratory.
Conceptualized by artist Jetro Rafael (of Van Gogh is Bipolar fame), Hausbesetzer Laboratory is a tea bar set in a rather twisted world of a makeshift science laboratory. The setting is complete with microscope, periodic table, a life size skeleton model, and laboratory glassware. However, the wooden hutch and counter table where the foodstuff and supplies are stored and displayed give visitors a hint that it is actually a food space and not some strange experiment room.
Dried leaves and other ingredients for creating tea concoctions are stored in flasks, vials and test tubes. Aside from tea, they also offer Jägermeister & Goldschläger tes tube shots!
We didn’t get to try anything from their menu but I just read that their Belgian chocolate drink served in empty beer bottles is good. 
[previous: resurrection furniture; RAW]
Tags: a-list, cafe, i saw design
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10a alabama st.: RAW art gallery
Written by designfolder on July 13, 2011 – 8:00 am -
After going through the pieces of Resurrection Furniture, we proceeded to the very personal art gallery of Robert Alejandro of The Sketching Backpacker and The Sartorialist Sketches, both of which were previously featured here in df.
RAW, short for RO-bert, is packed with the artist’s works, from framed The Sartorialist Sketches original watercolor drawings and various illustrated postcards, to hanging mobiles and whimsical metal sculptures. Because there’s not enough room for all the artworks, the rest were displayed along the hallway outside the room.
The room felt very personal, like we were breaking into someone’s private space. I appreciate the spontaneous “organized clutter” arrangement of the artworks which gave the space so much personality. For a second, it made me appreciate the mess of blueprints, swatches, and stacks of books and magazines on my desk, hehe.
We love RAW’s wall which was covered with whitewashed music sheets in place of a wallpaper. And of course, we love the card catalog! Our visit to this place made me realize that it should be an essential piece in a designer’s office. Talk about great storage solution.
Visit RAW’s facebook page here for more info and pictures of the artworks.
Next up is Hausbesetzer Tea Laboratory.
Tags: a-list, arts, robert alejandro
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i saw design: the sketching backpacker
Written by designfolder on July 5, 2011 – 9:53 am -
While most of us take photographs during our trips, Filipino artist Robert Alejandro (the same person behind The Sartorialist Sketches and the “RO” in Papemelroti) draws and paints to document his travels around the world. His blog The Sketching Backpacker features some of his drawings during his trips around Europe and Asia.
They remind me of those days in college when we had to make watercolor drawings of period style architecture, interiors, and furniture pieces for our history classes. Plus, our Prang watercolor paint sets looked just as messy, hehe!
*images via the sketching backpacker
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Tags: a-list, art, i saw design, painting
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exhibit: we are not aimless
Written by designfolder on February 1, 2011 – 11:59 am -
Speaking of Dan Matutina, the DF girls + boy (Green Guide) went to see the ‘We Are Not Aimless’ art exhibit in White Space, Makati where Dan is one of the featured artists. Also, Pepper Roxas and Abi Goy, who both have been previously featured here in df, are also part of the said exhibit.
It’s not your usual ‘serious’ art exhibit. The pieces are fun, fresh, and a bit quirky with regards to their chosen subjects, messages, composition and techniques. The large pieces, mostly paintings, are displayed at the ground floor while the smaller ones, like art prints and mixed media sculptures, are at the second floor. Here’s a sneak peek! More pictures in our flickr page.
The exhibit runs until February 6, 2011 (see event poster at the bottom of the post for more details). -ardel
Tags: a-list, abi goy, dan matutina, pepper roxas
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promising designers under 30: ericson manansala
Written by designfolder on January 18, 2011 – 11:23 am -
calden leaf neckpiece + eric
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As Ardel mentioned in a previous post, this month we’re doing a Promising Designers Under 30 list as we say goodbye to our youthful 20s later this month. This is also our way of giving recognition to young Filipino designers who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields of design.
Next on our list is Ericson Manansala, who has been making waves in the Philippine jewelry industry. I know Design Folder is mostly about interior design, furniture design, architecture and visual arts. So, why are we suddenly featuring jewelries in an interior design blog? While most of you would consider jewelry design to fall under fashion, we can’t help but look at Eric’s designs as real art pieces–the type that you would mount and display in an interior–because of their bold and sculptural form.
I first met Eric in UP Diliman, where we were both Fine Arts students. But we only really got to talk after college and I can say that he is one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. His love for his craft is evident in every piece he has made. -Lilli
Name: Ericson Manansala
Age: 22
Location: Pampanga
Occupation: Jewelry and Accessories Designer
Design School: University of the Philippines-Diliman, College of Fine Arts
Design style: Actually my style is very random, i try to put every idea into reality as much as i can. But i like creating the romantic yet edgy kinds of pieces. I’m also more of the avant garde than the minimalist type of designer. I love paying attention on details.
eclipse neckpiece
cicada neckpiece
angels & demons neckpiece
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Design highs (achievements/recognitions/milestones):
When I won as a grand winner at the 2007-2008 Guild of the Philippine Jewellers’ Jewelry design competition, and again at the non-traditional category at the 2009-2010 Guild of the Philippine Jewellers’ Jewelry design competition. I’ve also won three categories at the Meycauayan Jewelry industry associations’ Philippine Jewelry design competition from 2007 to 2010.
How did you get into designing jewelry?
Although I’ve been loving crafts and design ever since i was a kid, it wasn’t until I accidentally saw this poster on jewelry design which I thought at first was a painting competition that i decided to try out jewelry design, I was on my 3rd year in college then.
divine oliwen and naga neckpieces
fusion ring
‘pag puti ng uwak, pag itim ng tagak’ neckpiece
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What is your favorite among all the designs you’ve done so far?
I have three faves on the fine jewelry designs i have, and at least two on the accessories i have made… Sulutang Goma Bangle. Fusion Ring, the Pagputi ng Uwak-pagitim ng Tagak neckpiece. The Atlas neckpiece and the Divine Oliwen neckpiece for the accessories.. Actually I also like the Naga, Cicada and the Natilleto.
Do you believe in designer’s block? What do you do to counter that?
Somehow yeah, some days better than the others for me, like everyone else. It just so happens that I’m a designer. The actual test is besting out oneself — trying to achieve designs as good or better ones. If there are days where i feel like on low on creative juice, I take a break.. have coffee, watch a movie.. walk and walk and walk.. look around or sometimes, lie down and even sleep.
pallanto and atlas neckpieces
sulutang goma bangle
valier neckpiece and vinerosa neckpiece
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What is your go-to design reference for inspiration?
I usually get to come up with ideas when I’m travelling, on a bus, or jeep… there is something about traveling two hours on bus, where I’m able to think very critical on designs, I have a lot of designs that were “marinated” when I’m riding a bus on my way home. I also look and read through books, magazines, the internet… about fashion, nature, architecture. I’m sad that there will be no more new alexander mcqueen masterpieces in the future… 
If you were not a designer, what would you rather be?
Hmm I don’t know. Hahaha. I really have no idea where i might be or what i might be doing if I’m not a designer.
What are your non-design hobbies and interests?
I love movies and music. Somehow I see to it that I’m able to see at least one movie a week at the movie house.
What do you love most about being in the creative field?
I love it when I’m able to put an idea to reality, and when people get to look at your pieces as beautiful as you do or even more.. and just to be able to create and add something beautiful to the world that was not there ’til I was able to do it..
What is your dream project?
I want to be able to do my own fine jewelry collection.. and be able to create a brand. Here and everywhere else haha.
{Photos courtesy of Ericson Manansala. Visit his facebook page here to see more of his works.}
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Tags: ericson manansala, jewelry, jewelry design, profile
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a-list: j pacena’s ‘after mall hours’
Written by designfolder on November 10, 2010 – 11:48 am -
A few weeks ago, we featured our friend interior designer April Frigilliana-Pacena and her winning design for MADE 2008. While April makes a name for herself in interior design, her husband, J Pacena II is making a mark in the art scene with his current solo exhibit entitled “After Mall Hours” at the Blanc Peninsula Manila.
Here are some shots from the exhibit’s opening night last friday, November 6. (images c/o the artist)
If you are in the Makati area, make time to drop by his exhibit, which runs until November 26. The gallery is open everyday; free admission. Read below for the details about the artist and the exhibit.
Congratulations J! More exhibits to come! -ardel
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(Text via the After Mall Hours facebook event page)
Transitions, realizations and choosing directions… themes translated using acrylic, pastel and archival ink on paper and canvas. Through the images of conflicts of man, the irregularities of life represented by floating geometrical shapes and deconstructed images of photographs of landscapes, abandoned houses and other spaces in Japan as a product of reflections of 30 years of existence. There are dialogues and conversations within the frames of artwork, showing conflicting views and feelings of the subjects and the influences of people through a man’s life stages.
Uncover the body languages, the hidden places and the essence of people behind the bits and pieces of puzzles in these artworks as multi-media artist J.Pacena II presents his recent works with an exhibition entitled After Mall Hours at BLANC Peninsula Manila.
Born on July 16, 1980 in Quezon City, J. Pacena II finished his Elementary in 1993 at Kamuning Elementary School and his High School in 1997 at the University of Santo Tomas Pay High School. He graduated in 2001 at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design with a major in Advertising Arts. In 2003, he became an instructor for College of Fine Arts and Design in the same University and pursued his Graduate Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts. On that same year, he directed his first Music Video under BMG Pilipinas (now Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Inc.). He presented his first solo art exhibition in 2005 and had his first curatorial project for the exhibition entitled “boxed” in 2006. In 2007, he became a core member of Tutok, a group of artists advocating in human rights and education conditions in the Philippines. In 2008 he joined the faculty roster of Asia Pacific College, School of Multimedia Arts in Magallanes. In September that year, he married his long time partner whom he became friends with since 1990.
This year, he recently came home from a 3-month residency grant by Japan Foundation and UP Vargas Museum under the Jenesys Programme for Creators 2010. During his stay in Japan, he was able to make a tremendous amount of time reflecting about his life, about his career and his future plans as an artist and as an individual. After Mall Hours is a pause to activity, a product of reflection, a personal observation of the transitional period in one’s life.
The exhibit opens on November 5, 2010 at 6PM and will run until November 26, 2010 at the BLANC Peninsula Manila, G/F shops 9 & 10 Ayala Avenue, cor.Makati Avenue, Makati City.
For more information about this exhibition, visit www.blanc.ph or contact +639209276436 or send an email to info@blanc.ph.
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Tags: a-list, j pacena, philippine art
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a-list: abi goy
Written by designfolder on September 27, 2010 – 8:15 am -
These works by Filipina graphic designer Abi Goy make me smile. They’re fun and feminine yet strong at the same time. Apart from illustrations for popular children’s books, Goy also creates cute postcards and pillowcase designs. I wonder what inspires her to make these whimsical but chic illustrations. Her other works, which you can find at her website, will definitely make you instant fans. -lilli
Tags: a-list, abi goy, art, illustrations, philippine art
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