MoCAF 2024 Champions Art Inclusivity And Dynamism

The upcoming MoCAF 2024 features more artists and experiences, continuing its mission of providing an inclusive, community-centered platform for the local art community. 

The highly-anticipated Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF) returns this 2024, its third edition now bigger and more impactful than ever. Since 2022, the festival has showcased the country’s evolving art scene, educating new audiences and garnered the attention of established aficionados. This year, the event will be taking place in the entirety of the four-story Marquis Events Place at Bonifacio Global City from July 5 to 7, 2024

An official poster for MoCAF 2024
An official poster for MoCAF 2024

To create a better festival experience, the Department of Tourism, Bonifacio Global City, City of Taguig, Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Art Caravan, Marquis Events Place, Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, RLC Residences, Likha Residences, and Aurelia Residences have partnered with MoCAF 2024 as its sponsors. With a grander space, the festival will be housing a rich selection of both artisans and galleries, as well as renowned masters and emerging artists. 

The line-up of participating galleries for MoCAF 2024
The line-up of participating galleries for MoCAF 2024

Altogether, it is set to feature a total of 47 galleries. These include 24 local galleries and seven foreign ones in the Main Ballroom. There will also be an extensive lineup of 11 special exhibitions. These will feature event-exclusive spaces by seasoned creatives like Katrina Cuenca and Michael Cacnio.

In an exclusive interview with Lifestyle Asia, festival chairperson Ricky Fransisco explained what went into choosing the artists for MoCAF 2024. “There is always that matter of excellence and being able to capture the public’s imagination or feelings,” he stated. “So whether it is masters who are exciting or younger artists that showcase an aspect of art that we’ve never seen before, they are the ones we select.”

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Enriching Experiences 

Even with its larger scope and scale, MoCAF has remained steadfast in its commitment to building an enriching, accessible, and inclusive platform for artists and art appreciators in the country. This is evident in its line-up of successful formats. This year promises both returning favorites and new additions joining the roster of this year’s festival. 

MoCAF 2024 unveiled its plans through a media launch, providing a glimpse into this year’s festivities. It transformed Suite 3001 in Ascott BGC’s 30th floor into a mini art gallery. The living room space displayed some of the highlights of this year’s MoCAF Discoveries. Meanwhile, the master’s bedroom had pieces from Special Exhibitions artist RV Basco and the group show of VeryGood Gallery.

“Harmony in Motion” by Katrina Cuenca, as part of her Special Exhibition for MoCAF 2024
“Harmony in Motion” by Katrina Cuenca, as part of her Special Exhibition for MoCAF 2024

MoCAF Discoveries

The festival’s trailblazing MoCAF Discoveries provides a platform for up-and-coming artists around the country to nurture their craft. This year, 14 artists from its 2023 selection are making a return, with 28 new artists under its wing. 

“Our pioneering MoCAF Discoveries gave a critical platform for young artists, many of whom—like Carla Gamalinda, Gelo Montiero, Wendel Candawan, RAFA, Seth Corda, and Ian Inoy, among others—now have flourishing careers,” shared Francisco in a press release. 

MoCAF XP

In 2023, MoCAF continued its inclusive Discoveries format, but also added the innovative community-oriented MoCAF XP to its line-up. The format of diverse art-related experiences brought MoCAF closer to a wider, younger audience through the help of small local enterprises and establishments. For 2024, MoCAF XP will be featuring a painting workshop with VeryGood Gallery in collaboration with Art Caravan, with more activities on the weekend leading to MoCAF proper. 

MoCAF Dialogues

Then there is MoCAF Dialogues, which gathers prominent artists to discuss captivating topics and interesting issues that are relevant in their field today. This year’s edition will include five insightful panel discussions that will touch upon matters like plagiarism and art conservation, to name a few. 

MoCAF XTN

This year’s festival will also be shaking things up through the introduction of its newest format, MoCAF XTN. As the name suggests, it aims to “extend” the event’s reach and offerings to visitors, understanding that supporting start-ups is a key-step to fostering diversity in the art scene. It furthers MoCAF’s mission of extending a platform to young, potentially game-changing galleries, artisanal shops, and artists’ groups. 

The inaugural MoCAF XTN will be shining a light on neophyte galleries like M Gallery and non-traditional art forms through the Artisans section which will showcase art-inspired merchandise like clothing, books, and pottery. 

The Artisans section will include the prized collection of Imao Studios, the local and international prints of Spruce Gallery, and textile paintings courtesy of clothing brand RIOtaso. In total, MoCAF XTN will accommodate an additional 13 galleries and collectives to the event. 

Print publications from Spruce Gallery
Print publications from Spruce Gallery

Laid-back Art Immersion

A variety of food concessionaires will now be available at the new venue to further enhance the festival goers’ experience. All these, along with the new Live Art and Activations sections, are expected to make this year’s festival one to remember. 

As the event’s director Coleen Wong put it: “It has always been a goal of MoCAF to reach out to the community. I think what MoCAF is also known for is how relaxed it is for the festival goers; it doesn’t pressure you to roam around. We want festival goers to simply enjoy and breathe in the art experience.”

MoCAF will take place July 5 to 7, 2024 at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. To secure tickets and find more information on MoCAF and its activities, visit www.mocaf.net. Follow @mocafmanila on Instagram and like Mocaf.net on Facebook for more updates.

Photos courtesy of MoCAF; Banner photo: “Remember the Future” by Benedir.

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