A diversity of themes and artistic expressions, colors and perspectives, all under one roof, in one afternoon at an art auction...
The country's first and only museum hotel launched its inaugural Hotel Luna Art Competition in celebration of its first anniversary, in cooperation with the Art Association of the Philippines, showcasing the country's best and brightest, young, up and coming artists. The range of artistic styles and expressions reflected the youthful dynamism of the local art scene, infused with fresh young talent.
The competition culminated with an exhibit and art auction at Hotel Luna's sister hotel, Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City, under the majestic ceiling of Hotel Rembrandt's elegant ballroom. Spread out in the spacious ballroom, the massive number of entries for the Hotel Luna Art Competition were neatly lined up in rows, allowing guests to view each piece at their own pace. The competition is in line with the vision and advocacy of the different hotels under the ArtStream Hospitality and Management Group, as reflected in the extensive collection of art displayed at Hotel Luna in Vigan, Hotel Rembrandt in in Quezon City, Le Monet in Baguio and Vitalis Resort and Spa in Santiago, Ilocos Sur. With the elimination round complete, all the entries were exhibited and made available for auction through a silent bidding. Judges for the Hotel Luna Art Competition included master artists Araceli Dans and Rene Robles, renowned art critic Cid Reyes, Warren So, and the President of the Art Association of the Philippines, Fidel Sarmiento.
Champagne flowed freely that day, accompanied by live music, as guests viewed the different pieces. Pacing up and down the expansive ballroom, guests made quick mental notes for the silent bidding...
The exhibit and art auction at Hotel Rembrandt featured a variety of styles, themes, genres and expressions from the stark, visually provocative monochromatic shades of "Kain-Kamayan" by Kennard Lapitan...
...the calming yet haunting "Place of Worship" by Jayson R. Ronidel...
...and the simple yet powerful glimpse of reality with "Balat Kayo" by Arnaldo C. Ramirez Jr., each one highlighting the distinct and personal vision of the artists and executed in their own unique perspective.
In complete contrast, a number of entries featured the vibrant and colorful studies of faces, as executed in the playful "Circle of Chances" by Rigor Esguerra...
...the intriguing "Identicals Identity" by Giovanni C. Dela Rosa...
...the bright and festive colors of "Maskara Festival" by Jessie C. Galpo...
...the trance-like hypnotic gaze of "Salud" by Rachel Anne B. Lacaba...
...the soothing yet mysterious "The Other Side of My Dream" by Catherine R. Salazar...
...and the modernist "Hirap sa Palengke" by Bayani Jamesson I. Galera.
Vignettes of local life were also featured, with "Timeless Vigan" by Renato C. Canlas...
...the wild burst of colors with "Tupada" by Alfredo C. Siochi...
...and the simple yet stunning recreation of light, shadow and form in "Burnay Jars" by Jose B. Dela Rosa.
No artistic representation of local culture would be complete without the iconic Jeepney, as seen in "Sa Lahat ng Nakakaalam ng Saguisag..." by Mark Joseph N. Casumpang...
...the rustic slice of life in "Your Decision is Your Destiny" by Victorino S. Gamido...
...and the graphic "Last Trip" by Geofrey P. Santos, with its distinct perspective.
Nature's splendor and tranquility are captured in some of the pieces displayed at Hotel Rembrandt, like "Neglected Wealth" by Henry Cabrales...
...and the colorful and scenic "The Skyworld; is watching us from a distance" by Arman M. Guitering.
Other artists drew inspiration from urban cityscapes, like the dramatic "City Sunrise" by Angeles Bernardo, with a range of bright colors that seemed to leap out from the canvas.
Religion, one of the country's unifying threads, is captured in "Maria: Ina ng Bayan at ng Sanlibutan" by Roomel B. Catapang...
...and the dramatic "Via Crusis" by Anthony L. Jandusay, juxtaposing local cityscapes with the Way of the Cross.
The female form and essence are highlighted in the visual representations of "True Colors of a Woman" by Mark Jay Vambao...
...and the vibrant yet pensive "Sorrow of Magda" by Ramon H. Lopez.
More images jump out from the exhibit, including the graphic and bold "Sensual" by Alexander B. Guina
...and the somber "Unexpected Serenity" Vanessa F. Pagaduan.
Still lifes were a recurring theme, with "Ol Living" by Jamaica Anne H. De Jesus as one of the many rustic yet colorful examples.
An homage to the emerging role of social media, and its impact on culture, is captured in the simple yet bold rendition of "Re-Pose" by Arthur S. Sabong.
"ARTouch of Pope and Hope" by Mark Hernandez, a frenzy of colors capturing renewed vitality, optimism and faith, caps your tour on a high note.
Hotel Rembrandt's courteous staff assisted guests for the silent bidding process, with each numbered artwork represented by a folder. Guests would simply hand over their written bid to the staff, to be collated and reviewed.
Kristine Singson Meehan (second from left), President of ArtStream Hospitality and Management Group Inc., welcomed guests during the auction at Hotel Rembrandt. The focus on art remains a distinct and relevant point of differentiation that sets the hotels under AHMGI apart from other hotels, with its extensive art collections adding to a memorable experience. And just in case you missed the first art auction, no worries. This may be a regular event in AHMGI-managed hotels. Or simply visit any of the hotels and view the extensive collections displayed throughout the various hotel properties. Have a cup of coffee, or dine in one of the many outlets, or better yet, stay a day or two and just breathe in the art for a unique experience.
For more on Hotel Luna and its impressive art collection, check out my previous posts here at http://soloexpeditions.blogspot.com/2014/08/history-and-art-vigans-elegant-hotel.html and here at http://soloexpeditions.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-peek-at-hotel-lunas-art-collection.html.
Hotel Rembrandt is located at 26 Tomas Morato Extension, Quezon City or call +632-373-3333 local 201 to 205 for inquiries and reservations.
Hotel Luna, the first and only museum hotel in the Philippines, is located at Luna Street, Vigan, Ilocos Sur or call +632-584-4945 (Manila Office) or +077-632-2222 for inquiries and reservations.
Hotel Luna and Hotel Rembrandt are part of the ArtStream Hospitality Management Group, Inc. (AHMGI). AHMGI is a management group with first class hotels and resorts in sought-after destinations around the Philippines. The Group now operates, or has under development, four hotels representing 300 rooms in three major cities and two destination towns.
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