I think my friend Hazel and I are getting into the habit of creating traditions, one out of two thus far is making a date of Art in the Park. Art in the Park is an annual spread of relatively affordable creations scattered around Jaime Velasquez Park in Makati, from paintings to sculptures and various knickknacks, to books, clothes and shoes. There’s music blaring out of speakers, swapped with live performances once the sun goes down. There’s wine and beer, fish balls and dirty ice cream, and of course there’s the steady stream of people, all willing to endure the summer heat for a day of art appreciation and acquisition.
I’ve forgotten the origin story of why we went there last year for the first time. I think Hazel was on a mission to spruce up the bare walls of her office and her bedroom. Unlike her I didn’t have blank, decorate-able space, but I like staring at strange, beautiful things created by people. So I came along. This year, we were driven by the same motivations, and we came out of it with the same sentiments (well, at least I did)—the sun wasn’t any kinder, but it’s always a great high being surrounded by these wonderful and wonderfully weird, manmade things. Half a day spent there is never going to be enough. Let’s make it a whole day affair next year? I want to be there when the fairy lights mark the perimeter of the tents and burst through the low canopies of trees. Continue Reading
