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Second Take
Rachel Rillo and Isa Lorenzo of Silverlens
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Translating photographs of oil blobs into tapestries, Eustaquio explores the idea of changing tastes for art mediums through time.
ART
A Series In Black And White Patricia Perez Eustaquio looks to the past to make sense of the present INTERVIEW TISHA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK DIOKNO
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Patricia Perez Eustaquio is known for working with different mediums and materials. Her artworks often display the nuanced ways she approaches painting, sculpting, drawing, and fashion, tackling ideas of what is real and what is not, and juxtaposing shapes and images to tell a story. Eustaquio’s art has been shown and lauded in galleries in Tokyo and Singapore. For this year’s Art Fair Philippines, she will showcase black and white tapestries that were made in collaboration with a workshop in Belgium. Please describe the works you’ll be presenting at Art Fair. “I worked on three black and white tapestries; as traditional tapestries, they are woven. I composed objects out of blobs of oil paint, photographed them, and then translated them into tapestries. I’ve been working on this idea for a few years now. “Firstly, I wanted to make a painting that would use only textile. In the history of art, tapestries used
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fair, especially in Manila where the audience is still forming its opinion. “Secondly, I wanted to make work that would pose as a modern piece of decoration. As these are black and white tapestries, the images of paint are highly abstracted so in appearance, they pose as modern pieces of decoration. I want them to beg the question of art decoration.”
to be sought after, then at some point, paintings in oil took over. My work explores this idea of changing tastes and appetites for objects or, in this case, art forms in particular. It’s interesting how certain forms of art have been cast aside while others became the standard of the times. To hark back to this change, I think, is relevant to the fickleness of contemporary art today: why are some forms of art considered more valid than others, for example? I think it’s a good question to ask in an art
Where do you draw inspiration? “Artists work with things that either interest or don’t interest them. It is a conversation that is continued from one work to the next.” Are there other mediums that you wish to delve into? “When I think of work, I try not to limit the form to a certain medium or material. I try to choose whatever form or material would be the most appropriate as to convey the narrative or idea better.” •
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ACQUIRED
Fast Times
Accelerating modern living with the sleekest finds WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ
Lexus IS Lexus puts a new spin on a classic car model. With its new grille and a bumper that flows from the fenders, the revamped Lexus IS gets a dose of sleek aggression, giving off the impression of a graceful beast lording over the street.
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Bremont ALT1-ZT With aviators and world travelers in mind, Bremont releases an updated version of the ALT1-Z, the ALT1-ZT. The “ZT,” short for “Zulu Time,” can display both the local and the official world time—a feature that works best for those who constantly cross through different time zones.
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Leica M10 This new addition to Leica’s M series carries all the functions needed for contemporary photography but in a more compact model. It has integrated WLAN connectivity, a feature new to Leica, allowing users to directly transfer photos to their mobile devices.
IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Combining time and the phases of the moon in a single sub-dial, this timepiece uses a gold-plated disc to represent the full moon. The waxing and waning phases of the moon are shown through the rotation of its dark blue dial while the sparkle of white gold creates the backdrop of a star-lit sky.
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SQUARED
Open House
Beyond the luxury products it churns out, the workspace of Valdes siblings Bea and Marga reflects the keen design sensibility of the women running it WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY ARTU NEPOMUCENO
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Clockwise from top: A garden on the third floor where Bea and Marga’s kids can play; a custom made rack for sewing tools; an embellishment for one of their handmade pieces; custom made acrylic drawers they use to store past pieces. Opposite page: The manufacturing floor has high ceilings and windows for natural light and ventilation.
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When Bea Valdes set up a workshop in 2004 to craft belts, bags, and jewelry, her workspace then was little more than her mother’s kitchen where she was joined by three of her craftswomen. But as her business grew, so did the workforce, and she would move operations to bigger spaces that would fit the amount of people she works with as well as the product inventory. Eventually, the business reached a point where building a new space big enough to contain it was better than constantly moving from one location to another. Joined by her sister Marga, Bea finally settled into a new space in April of 2015. The place used to be a two-storey juice factory that sported green and red walls. With the help of their mother, the sisters were able to transform the building into a three-floor manufacturing space that is perfect for their design process. They were also able to add a couple of gardens without having to tear down the old structure. The sisters wanted enough light and air to circulate throughout the space, thus the open layout, the windows, the high ceilings, and the white walls. Outside, the building is surrounded by a tall wall covered with vines.
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The sign BEAVALDES, done in gold, welcomes visitors to the showroom where clients can look at the latest collections. To make the space more comfortable and relaxing, a garden was set up next to the canteen. On the second floor is the main work area where all the brand’s pieces are made by hand. The work tables placed in the middle of the floor accommodate a group of 35 artisans, while set against a wall are sewing machines. In another corner, rows and rows of custom acrylic cases hold pieces from past collections. The Valdes sisters’ office is also on this floor. The third floor meanwhile is a workspace for bigger projects, where a photo studio and another garden had also been set up. The third floor garden is where the sisters’ kids can play whenever they bring them along to work. Because Bea and Marga spend eight hours a day here, they wanted to make the whole place as comfortable as possible. On top of that, they also want to show a different side to manufacturing: that it doesn’t have to be housed somewhere that’s dark and cramped—that light and air are unofficial but necessary ingredients to any well-made product. •
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DEVOURED
Triumphant Trio The La Lola Group’s Spanish-themed restaurants sate the taste buds’ cravings as easily as their name rolls off the tongue WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH PASCUAL ART JANINA DAVID
14 In 2003, Sergi Rostoll, Dani Aliaga, and Uri Singla decided to bring true Spanish cuisine to the Philippines. Bringing with them their exprience in tourism and hotel management, they first opened Barcino, where they offered good wine and food at an affordable price. After three years, they found that the Philippines was ready for something different. The result: Las Flores, a cocktail and tapas bar. Since forming the La Lola Group in 2006, the three have launched two other restaurants that give a Spanish flair to local dining. Las Flores This contemporary Spanish restaurant focuses on four key elements: service, interiors, music, and of course, food. With its wood accents and patterned tabletops, Las Flores’ interiors exude rustic charm. But while the welcoming staff and the cozy setting can lure a diner to come in and have a seat, it is the food—a wide range of tapas, salads, and cheese platters—that makes them want to stay and come back. Served on a wooden tray, their Salmon & Salmon is marinated salmon topped with salmon caviar and ricotta cheese, served on a bed of
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baguette and drizzled with truffle oil vinaigrette; it is the perfect start to a Las Flores meal. The dish is intended to be shared, but don’t be afraid to scarf down every last piece. Pair the food with one of the restaurant’s cocktails such as the Moscow Mule, a mixture of homemade ginger vodka, calamansi, cherry blossom flower, and ginger beer served in a copper mug and garnished with slices of ginger. Rambla Named after a street in central Barcelona, Rambla is a cocktail bar with an open kitchen concept located at Rockwell in Makati City. Its main feature, the aforementioned open kitchen, is how patrons get to see their food being prepared as well as interact with the chef. Although this restaurant has some obvious Spanish touches, its cuisine has a decidedly broader Mediterranean scope, taking influences from French, Italian, and Greek dishes. Spanish flavors aren’t left out, however, with their selection of paella, from the Paella Negra with Squid and Salmon to Fideua, a pasta-based dish with Butifarra sausage and cuttlefish. Try the Octopus Carpaccio with Hummus
and Sweet Paprika, and wash it down with a Baquira Daiquiri, a refreshing blend of gin, aperol, watermelon, cilantro, and lemon. As any meal won’t be complete without something sweet, cap off your Rambla dining experience with their Dessert Platter, featuring a selection of churros, chocolate ganache, tiramisu, chessecake, and passionfruit sorbet. Tomatito The newest addition to the La Lola Group, Tomatito combines the aesthetic of an ’80s Spanish bar with a more contemporary appeal, its vibrant patterned wallpaper matching the aroma of delicious food wafting from the semi-open kitchen. Located in the bustling city of Taguig, it is a place for after-work drinks and even lunch break meals. The menu lists a variety of Spanish tapas— and cocktails to match—such as Salmon TNT, Montadito de Gambas, and Croquetas de Trufa y Pollo, which is their version of grandma’s truffle and chicken croquettes. From their cocktails, try the Trinidad Mule, a mix of aged rum, homemade ginger beer, lime leaf, fresh pineapple juice, and cherry syrup. •
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Sergi Rostoll, Dani Aliaga, and Uri Singla of the La Lola Group
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ADMIRED
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Silverlens’ Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo rebuild an old passion on new ground WORDS CHRYSSA CELESTINO PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH PASCUAL
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“It’s important for people
to imagine how it feels to live with art. Because of the larger spaces
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in galleries, art isn’t
necessarily just displayed on the walls anymore.
It’s become an experience.” -RACHEL RILLO
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STYLING RIA PRIETO MAKEUP CATS DEL ROSARIO HAIR JAN EDROSOLAN
we’re doing? Is it still giving us much excitement?’ Though it’s becoming more about work, the answer has been yes—many times. The commitment to build this space was a big yes, but it was also just the scariest.” Lorenzo and Rillo have gone through the most terrifying nightmare a gallerist could have. On July 13 last year, an electrical fire burned down 217 works of art in their old warehouse. “When that happened, there was a lot of self-doubt,” Lorenzo admits. “It was a real, ‘I don’t want to do this [anymore].’ It was a death—we lost everything. That was a huge moment.” “She was devastated,” Rillo adds, “But I was also like, ‘This is it. This is the adult step. Do we keep at it or do we chicken out?’” The result of taking the brave step forward is this: a gallery that stays faithful to its vision of irreverent art for 10 years and counting. Today, it isn’t enough for the two to make people see art. “It’s important for people to imagine how it feels to live with art,” Rillo explains about their new space’s design. “Because of the larger spaces in galleries, art isn’t necessarily just displayed on the walls anymore. It’s become an experience.” This isn’t also the time for artists to slow down. “My doubt has to do with looking at artists who think they’re not as good as they think they are. I doubt for them, because they don’t know it yet, that being an artist is [the] best thing for them,” says Lorenzo. Now that the art scene is getting bigger, how “new” should artists be thinking regarding what they produce? “There’s nothing fresh and new,” Rillo states. “Everything’s online now so I don’t look for ‘new’ that way. Maybe a new experience? Yeah. It’s the new feeling when you do something.” Like how the new Silverlens welcomes you: there’s enough novelty to draw you in, with the comforting ghost of familiarity keeping step beside you. •
CREATIVE DIRECTION NIMU MUALLAM
Navigating the sprawling new space of Silverlens feels like an intrusion. The first few steps past the gallery’s sliding doors bring unease, with art displayed as if it were poised to consume you. Conversations can be heard from a room to your left, but they’re muffled enough to compel you to enter the gallery further. As you look at the artworks, there’s something curiously familiar about how they are framed against the white walls and how the artists’ names resound. You know you’ve been here before, and yet you also haven’t. The new place that Silverlens gallerists Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo now call home along Pasong Tamo Extension is a 1,500 sq. m. converted warehouse, refurbished with a phone-controlled lights system. A stone’s throw away from the gallery’s old address, the newness of the space doesn’t last long; nostalgia lingers in every nook and cranny, reminding us why Silverlens, one of the country’s leading contemporary galleries for the past 10 years, is still here. “I feel like I’m still learning,” Lorenzo says about the last decade. “When I jumped into this blindly [years ago], I didn’t know anything about art; I just knew I liked art. I knew how I wanted to be treated as an artist and as a client. What I’m learning now is that when you want something, you have to ask for it. You have to pursue it.” The past few years have been a steady pursuit of opportunities and relationships with their resident artists. Apart from helping legitimize photography as fine art, Silverlens has been crucial in building a community so unlike the art world cliques present before. The ties that Lorenzo and Rillo have established made their first show in their new set-up possible, with Translación bringing together old and new works by artists who have worked with the gallery. “It’s fun being able to give an artist a stage, a platform,” Rillo says. “As partners in this, we always ask ourselves, ‘Is it still fun? Do we still like what
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Top, Joseph, SM Aura Premier.
White button-down, Harlan+Holden, Adora, Greenbelt 5; green top, Joseph, SM Aura Premier.
“The audience is not just people who buy art. It’s students, artists, people who don’t really buy art but want to experience it.” -ISA LORENZO
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On Isa: Top, Sacai, Univers, One Rockwell; pants, Harlan+Holden, Adora, Greenbelt 5; shoes, Robert Clergerie, Univers, One Rockwell. On Rachel: Top and pants, both Harlan+Holden, Adora, Greenbelt 5.
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INSPIRED
Decadent Riot
In designer Anne Marie Saguil’s abode, the most unexpected design ideas make for lively bedfellows WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA
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Walking into Anne Marie Saguil’s home, one would be greeted by a wall covered with paintings and an eclectic collection of furniture. Many of the furnishings in her house are not normally presented together in home design stores, yet here in her personal space, they blend beautifully. Saguil and her interior decorator Jonathan Matti have styled the home quite thoughtfully. Having moved to the Philippines after living in the US for so many years, the designer tries to blend the two countries’ cultures together in her home design. Combining some pieces she brought with her from America with local finds, she describes the style of her home as tropical colonial: ’60s Mod velvet chairs, clay pots, rattan tables. “I like pattern on pattern as well,” Saguil adds. A red cabinet pushed flush against a wall immediately catches the eye in the living room. “I love that cabinet. I think that it is such a stunning piece,” Saguil says. An item she found with Matti’s help, the red cabinet is the focal piece that anchors the design of the space, complemented by Filipiñana items that are mostly made from rattan: a table, a sofa in the lanai, and the 12 chairs she got from her mother, which have been placed in different rooms in the house. “When I moved to the Philippines, I really wanted to find more Filipino pieces to go with the furniture that I already had. The rattan gives the house that tropical kind of look.” In the dining room, what stands out are the pink patterned walls—a recent feature that Saguil had made to make the room feel new. “The pattern makes the space feel fresh without having to change anything else in the room.” At the den are her favorite pieces, two wooden chairs that were designed by Matti, while placed all throughout the house are smaller décor items such as antique clay pots, shells, and a silver tea set, which she got from her mother-in-law. As unexpected as the combination of design ideas are, the mix of colors and textures make Saguil’s home feel alive, as if a collection of stories lie in wait in every corner, ready to be discovered. • Rattan creates an interesting contrast against the more staid texture of wood and the plushness of velvet. Opposite page: The typically utilitarian dining area feels fresh and festive with Saguil’s choice of wallpaper.
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EXPLORED
In God’s Own Country Hindy Weber-Tantoco found the perfect escape in New Zealand WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY HINDY TANTOCO
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“If you love nature, adventure, a relaxed vibe, and having breathing space, New Zealand is the place for you,” recommends Hindy WeberTantoco. She’s talking about her recent holiday trip with her family to the land of the kiwi, where they partook in thrilling activites like hang gliding and luging, and soaked in some of New Zealand’s culture through music and tours. In the Tantocos’ itinerary were stops at Auckland, Waiheke, Queenstown, and Rotorua. Auckland is a major city between two large harbors, and its Sky Tower provides views of the Viaduct Harbor, lined with yachts and bars. Waiheke Island, meanwhile, is situated in the Hauraki Gulf and boasts many high quality vineyards, galleries, and boutiques. Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is the base for adventure sports and historic mining towns. Lastly, Rotorua is a town in New Zealand’s North Island, where visitors can bask in the Māori culture. New Year’s Eve found the
family at the Wondergarden Music Festival, an event that marries music, light installations, and sumptuous street food. Held at Silo Park in Auckland, the festival had the Tantocos enjoying music by Kiwi performers. Known for being the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand also has plenty of action to offer. “Hang gliding, paragliding, fishing, horseback riding, ziplining, luging, camping, trekking...” Tantoco rattles off the activities that her family got into. But there were days too when they got to relax, go on road trips, and do “lots of nothing.” When asked what her most memorable experiences were, she mentioned a helicopter tour of the Fiordland National Park. “We landed on the top of a glacier and then hang glided off the top of a mountain. We relaxed in a coastline camp where it felt as if we were the only people on Earth. We also had a Māori teach us about traditional open-fire cooking, and we got to relax at a historic sporting and fishing lodge by a river.” Because they had such a great time, the family plans to visit again soon. “New Zealand has all the conveniences of the first world, but it doesn’t feel as fast as other big cities,” Tantoco observes. Echoing poet Thomas Bracken’s description of
the country as “God’s own country,” she adds, “The natural environment is so beautiful and well-preserved. Plus, there are still so many activities we didn’t get to do.” Asked to sum up her family’s sojourn, Tantoco says, “It was [about] slowly traveling around surreal landscapes where there is so much space to breath and to be—the perfect example of disconnecting in order to reconnect.” •
New Zealand’s unique landscapes gave Tantoco both the exhilarating rush of novelty and the rejuvenating peace that only a wide expanse of nature can bring.
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