Words Gabrielle de la Cruz and M360
Images M360 and Grande Experiences
After finding ourselves awash in Van Gogh’s expressive brushstrokes and colorful life, Bonifacio Art Foundation and Grande Experiences introduce yet another artistic maestro to Filipino audiences, one whose relentless pursuit of light in his prodigious body of work gave birth to an artistic movement.
“Once again, we’ve partnered with Grande Experiences to make iconic artworks accessible to local Filipino audiences in ways where they can embrace the art through this immersive experience.” Maria Isabel Garcia, Managing Director and Curator of the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. shares on the upcoming Monet and Friends Alive interactive exhibit at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Arts Center. “We hope that this offering will give us a sense of the broader tradition in the arts that have influenced generations of artists the world over, as we evolve our own art traditions.”
The experience is created and produced by Grande Experiences, the immersive arts and culture company behind the best-selling Van Gogh Alive show that recently wrapped its second Manila run. This time, sights and scenes of 19th century Europe are seen through the eyes of Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, and ten other Impressionist artists. Over 800 individual artworks will come alive in large-scale projections, allowing guests to appreciate the dynamics between light, color, sound, and scent.
Set to a beautiful musical score including renowned composers Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Offenbach, Monet and Friends Alive will feature hidden nooks and allow visitors to view over 150-year-old artworks from different angles and perspectives. Visitors will also have the chance to discover the Impressionists’ sources of inspiration through photographs and videos displayed alongside their works. An Introduction Hall will welcome patrons to the exhibit, providing a background on each artist and a French Impressionism timeline.
Founder and Chairman of Grande Experiences Bruce Peterson shares that Monet and Friends Alive “will offer visitors of all ages and backgrounds an entertaining, educational, and enlightening experience, whether they are art and history aficionados or exploring the Impressionists for the first time.” Beyond being an exploration of French Impressionism, the experience also invites audiences to simply stand still, indulge their senses, and bask in the beauty and essence of each masterpiece. •
Monet and Friends Alive is presented by the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. and Del Monte Philippines and will be on display starting January 31, 2024, Wednesday. Watch out for our coverage of the special preview on January 30, 2024. Tickets are available here.
