Friday, October 12, 2012

Ateneo Art Auction 2012


One early Saturday morning – I was standing on the wide corridors of Finale Art Gallery at La Fuerza Compound in Pasong Tamo, Makati City.  Yet again, surrounded with fine art and exceptional structures – I have deeply embraced the facets of auction houses and start to appreciate every moment of it. 

My body however is still in half slumber, as I have to wake up early to make way for this year’s Ateneo Art Auction. This after all is my first time on this 5-year running AAA (Ateneo Alumni Association) organized charity event and I wouldn’t want to miss it.

For a Cause
It’s always rewarding to be a part of a fund-raising event such as this.  The  proceeds of the art auction will benefit the scholars of Ateneo School of Humanities. 

Not only that, one of the main goals of AAA is to make Filipinos aware of their own talents as included in their line up of lots are winners of their very own Ateneo Art Competition.

Ateneo Art Auction Attendance
However, it came quite a bit surprise to see that there were no much people around, a lot of vacant seats and Dr. Leovina Garcia (Chairman,AAA) had to request for an “academic quarter” (quarter-hour (15 minute) discrepancy between the defined start time) to pave way probably for more bidders to come. 

This year’s Ateneo Art Auction suffered a bit in terms of attendance.  This announcement might explain it all.



The Auction Results
Several lots were remained unsold and only some notable pieces were fought on.  The crowd of this year’s Ateneo Art Auction was undoubtedly calm and a bit relenting. 
You’d be lucky to bid your choice of piece and win it right away as some lots were awarded from just a single bid. 

I attempted only once and I was hoping to come home with a beautiful piece from Rodel Tapaya, thought I’d win it right away but the bidders relentlessly raised paddles on this piece.

I’d say it is the only piece that was fought on so hardly yet it is the piece I was hoping to own.  It started at 70thousand and ended at a hammer price of 220thousand.  I didn’t win the piece.  Not my day I guess.

My Observation:

Auction Highlights -- Contemporary art pieces garnered more interests from the bidders than the old works of the masters.  Pieces of Angkiukok, Olmeido, Olazo, Bencab, Lianben and Saguil didn’t cope keenly compared to the works of Borlongan, Tapaya, Galicano and some new names in the art scene.

Art Event – The preparations were really thought into details.  The committee was successful to bring in a lot of big sponsors.  ABS-CBN was there to shoot the event too. Crustasia catered the event.  The crowd was treated in to good food and enthralling music all throughout the occasion.  Usherettes were recognizable in their sharp formal attires. Parking was not a problem as they have designated the outside compounds of La Fuerza open to the crowd of the auction. 



Overall – I am sure the turnout could have been dramatically different if not for the unfortunate same schedule of the UAAP Championship (nobody could have guessed it would fall on the same day).  Moving it to another day/week could have been more helpful than moving it to an earlier time.  The event preparations were superb.  I am looking forward for 2013’s Ateneo Art Auction.