Craft as art at Artefino
ArteFino debuts at 8 Rockwell on Aug. 25 to 27, redefining the much sought out craft fair that launches the holiday buying season. Over 70 selected retailers join the collective, highlighting the finest in the Filipino. Internationally acclaimed visual and furniture designer Ito Kish joins the team as curator and chief story teller. Kish’s deep appreciation for the Filipino creative process and attention to detail provides the story telling that ArteFino captures. It is showing the buyer the intricacies of Filipino craft in daily products. Unique to the fair is the spirit of collaboration. The vendors have been together in export fairs and bazaars for close to a decade, building a community of likeminded individuals. Akin to history past, this fair is a market place for new ideas, as well re-imagining the well-loved products that are presented annually. ArteFino is devoting its efforts in support of living traditions that may be lost as the generations that follow these living artists decide to devote their careers to modern day living. “Rattan was a core export product in the 60’s and 70’s. Now making a comeback, we have tried to entice the children of our lead workers to do what their parents have been doing. But we are losing them to call centers and BPOs,” says furniture designer Tisha de Borja. But as the team discovhome ers, this may not be the case. Kyla Diestro Olives, of The Olive Tree, has elevated the hotel linen line of their family to include seasonal designs, wear and accessories.
The marked difference in the fair is the ability of vendor, buyer, craftsmen and artisan to interact and allow a free flow of ideas that support and sustain traditions in a peripatetic retail environment. The very nature of these trades is to constantly evolve, and ArteFino does not see itself as a once a year fair, but more an ongoing conduit to provide training, support and ideas in an every moving circle for the tradesmen.
Workmanship in embroidery, weaving, carving, jewelry making are now over run by machines losing the heritage that once was the hallmark of bespoke. The evolving market circle will help the organizers advocate functionality and modernity in these traditions, making them part of daily living. Furthermore, the team is preparing its social responsibility efforts to ensure that traditions throughout the country continue, and are adequately supported through awareness and funding.
“We are working closely with our vendors to see where we can support them. Many of them we have seen evolve. We want to keep growing. Our hope is that we can inject many of our traditions in different areas of craft, art and dining into the mix. We want to push the movement of being truly proud of what we can do as Filipinos. Wear it not just in our soul, but in all that we do,” says Cedie Vargas, Artefino organizer.
The fair comes to Rockwell in its reimagined version for the first time. Rockwell has also evolved as a stalwart of Filipino ingenuity and entrepreneurship, capturing Filipino elements in their developments. The boutique community concept in their enclaves are a testament to their commitment to serving the Filipino lifestyle, as well as capturing its essence.
ArteFino promises to capture the vibrancy of the Filipino artisan. Stories unfold as vendors experiment and develop products for a collection that complements the changing Filipino lifestyle.
For more information, email artefinofair@ gmail.com