From July 3 to 5, 2024, the vibrant heart of Taguig, in the Philippines, will beat to the rhythm of contemporary art. For this new edition, the MoCAF Festival presents a program of unprecedented scope. By blurring the boundaries between canvas and screen, and by merging digital art with physical space, the event is cementing its status as a must-see on the international art scene.
A boundary-breaking curation, from the intimate to the international
The Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF) is taking up residence at Marquis Events Place, nestled in the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Bonifacio Global City. This fifth edition stands out as the most ambitious to date, showcasing the explosive dynamism of the Philippine art scene (mocaf.net).
As evidence of this vitality, the event has expanded from an exclusive selection of 19 galleries to an impressive lineup of over 50 exhibitors. This growth marks a genuine opening of the local market to international horizons. MoCAF is thus becoming a creative hub where galleries, visual artists, and artisans forge a unique dialogue, blending exhibition tours, educational programs, and cutting-edge cultural encounters (mocaf.net).
Dialogue Between Scenes: Institutions and the Avant-Garde
This year’s lineup is enriched by prestigious names from Asia and Europe. Renowned Japanese galleries such as Shikisaisha Gallery and Gallery Kogure, Singapore’s White Space Art Asia, and Spain’s Kate Contemporary Madrid are going head-to-head with leading local institutions like Ysobel Art Gallery, Fundación Sansó, and Art Underground. This synergy gives the event global resonance while strengthening its local roots (businessmirror.com.ph).
To enhance the experience, the MoCAF XTN program reimagines the venue’s layout, encouraging an immersive stroll through the various spaces. The festival also highlights captivating solo shows by artists such as Jerika See, Sheila Go, and Jappy Agoncillo, as well as striking collaborations, such as the duo formed by Toym Imao and Tarantadong Kalbo. Far from being merely a commercial fair, the festival thus cultivates a genuine cultural spirit.
The Intangible Made Tangible: Digital Art Takes Shape
The major innovation of the 2024 edition lies in the bold integration of digital art and illustration. Thanks to an exclusive partnership with Art Caravan, virtual works are making their way into the physical world in the form of carefully framed prints. This bold approach elevates digital art to a new level of prestige, bringing it face-to-face with the tangible reality of the gallery wall and the exhibition space.
Artist Kevin Raymundo, known by the pseudonym Tarantadong Kalbo, emphasizes how this transition alters our relationship with the artwork. Once materialized, the digital creation breaks free from its original malleability. Printing gives it a new dimension, revealing previously unseen textures and permanently freezing the creative process in physical form (businessmirror.com.ph).
Emergence and Art of Living: A Holistic Experience
True to its mission as a talent scout, MoCAF continues its Discoveries program, a true springboard for the next generation of artists from diverse backgrounds. This commitment to supporting emerging artists is accompanied by a strong philanthropic commitment, through the MoCAF Gives Back initiative, which benefits charitable projects such as ScholarSip from the Sansó Foundation and the Mbrace Project.
Beyond art itself, the event is designed as a complete lifestyle experience. Design takes center stage through a collection of cutting-edge objects and a capsule collection created in partnership with Team Manila. The XTN Bites area, meanwhile, celebrates contemporary gastronomy, bringing together highly sought-after spots like ODD Café and Butterboy, as well as new concepts such as The Good Poison and Bored & Hungry. These initiatives transform the fair’s aisles into a vibrant hub of life, lifestyle, and camaraderie (businessmirror.com.ph).
Offered at the reasonable price of 380 pesos, with special rates for students, seniors, and people with disabilities, the festival is committed to inclusivity. The goal is clear: to attract a curious and diverse audience. For while the event brings together seasoned collectors, it is rooted in a deep conviction: tomorrow’s art scene is built first and foremost on the curiosity of today’s newcomers.