Bringing art to life through digital displays enhanced with virtual and augmented realities was made possible by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) through a partnership with Samsung Philippines as the co-presenter of Sibol. Sibol is a month-long, immersive art exhibition celebrating 40 years of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila or The M.

“Sibol not only showcases the evolution of Philippine art through the decades, but also pushes the boundaries of artistic experience through the innovative use of technology,” said MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña. “Our partnership with Samsung allows us to create a truly immersive experience for visitors, deepening their appreciation for art.”

The M is transformed into an interactive art space through featuring 40 winning artworks by past MADE competition winners who have become respected figures in contemporary art, together with a selection of contemporary works and installations integrated with Samsung technology.

“Globally, Samsung has always supported the arts in many ways–via partnerships, giving a platform to up and coming artists, and even the way we design our technology. The Philippines is no exception, and this is why we are glad to partner with the MADE program once again to highlight the talent of our Filipino artists and designers, and of course, make their work more accessible to art enthusiasts,” said Mahir Al-Rubah, Product Marketing Head of AV for Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp.

Sibol integrates cutting-edge technology to enhance the visitor’s viewing experience. For instance, The Frame Smart TV of Samsung is ideal for displaying high-definition digital media. In the Sibol exhibition, The Frame is used to show a video piece featuring close-up stills of unpainted jeepneys. The Sero, on the other hand, enables flexible display options with its unique rotating screen feature used for exhibition announcements.

 

The Frame Smart TV of Samsung (left) displaying the high-definition media of Maria Taniguchi’s ‘Untitled (Celestial Motors)’ and The Sero (right) supporting flexible display options

Providing vivid and massive displays, The Samsung Premier Projectors allow viewers to fully appreciate the scale and details of architectural and interior design concepts of past awardees of MADE. It’s also used to project the live Virtual Reality (VR) session of visitors trying the VR goggles, featuring the 2011 MADE grand prize sculpture piece. Additionally, The Freestyle projectors are set up in several locations of the exhibition to display dynamic texts providing insightful commentary on the displayed works.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablets are deployed for augmented reality (AR) and interactive activities, engaging visitors to experience art at another level.

  

Using Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite units, guests draw a table and drag food items on it as part of the gustatory section activity featuring “Puro Kahig, Walang Matuka” by Jowee Anne Aguinaldo, 2023 MADE Grand Awardee in the Oil/Acrylic on Canvas category (left); and explore through AR the “You Are What You Eat” artwork by Pow Marin, 2016 MADE Grand Awardee in the Oil/Acrylic on Canvas category.

A Samsung Flip Pro is also installed serving as a digital canvas, encouraging guests to express their creativity as they try out painting on their own.

Guests draw their answer to the question “Where are you headed?” via Samsung Flip Pro displaying Yeo Kaa’s work, Patungo (Onward).

Apart from the integration of technology in the gallery, Sibol also offers sensorial experience featuring a stunning collection of 2D and 3D artworks that you can smell, hear, and even feel.

Curated by the Foundation University-Dumaguete, led by Fine Arts Department head and curator Ms. Sandra Palomar, the Sibol exhibition at the 2nd Floor North and 3rd Floor South Galleries of The M (also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Manila) is open and free for public until October 19, 2024 from 11 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends.

For more information, follow facebook.com/metrobankartanddesign.

Tags: 2024 News