The history of art and design has long been intertwined; an intersection that resulted in the creation of many of today’s most beloved art pieces. B&B Italia Manila celebrates this creative convergence through its latest exhibit, Art & Space Serie 02: The Collector’s Edition.
Coming from the success of its first run last 2022, B&B Italia Manila continues its partnership with esteemed art curator and interior stylist Glenn Cuevo, to showcase B&B Italia pieces alongside masterpieces from Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, HR Ocampo, Arturo Luz, Jose Joya, and many more.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR ART & SPACE
On its second installment, the Art & Space exhibit puts the spotlight on collector’s pieces both from the brand and from renowned local and international artists. This immersive gallery-like experience is made possible through the creative vision of Glenn Cuevo, whose impeccable taste in art and ability to masterfully combine this with home interiors makes him a go-to consultant for many high-profile clients in Manila.
His recent travels to Milan, Copenhagen, Paris and Tokyo have stimulated his imagination and creativity, giving birth to the design and art driven room curations. Being privileged to meet two world renowned Masters of Contemporary Design, namely Japanese Designer Naoto Fukasawa and B&B Italia’s Creative Director Piero Lissoni, Cuevo shared that these two respectable men have further inspired him to create spaces that are streamlined and sleek, evoking a sense of subtle contemporary elegance.
His overall concept showcases what he aptly calls ‘Due’ or ‘Gemello’ which means two or twin in Italian, referring to how he arranges both furniture and artworks in such a way that one side creatively mirrors the other side.
Glenn once again transforms the B&B Italia Manila showroom to curate rooms that highlight the artists’ works with subtle elegance. Special B&B Italia pieces are showcased in a welcoming display, including the limited edition Blitz Table by Mario Bellini— a powerful structural piece that runs in a numbered edition of only 100 pieces.
Other must-see B&B Italia novelty pieces include the Pochette Armchair, Mjna Chairs, the Le Bambole collection which saw a recent reissue, as well as iconic pieces such as the Camaleonda Sofa, Serie Up Armchair, Edamame Daybed, Tobi-ishi Tables, Papilio Chairs and many more.
MASTERPIECES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Under the creative eye of Glenn Cuevo, the B&B Italia Manila showroom space has been reshaped especially for the Art & Space Serie 02 exhibit. The 814-sqm space has been subdivided into various rooms, with each section highlighting select furniture and art pieces.
The Amorsolo Room, rightfully named after one of the most important National Artists in Philippine history, Fernando Amorsolo, features two iconic paintings from the renowned maestro. Amorsolo’s mastery in the usage of light and in capturing the rich rural landscape of the Philippines made his works one of the most highly sought-after and collected pieces by the country’s top art collectors and institutions. The Amorsolo room is completed with a non traditional twist by B&B Italia’s Bend Sofa by Patricia Urquiola, Pianura Small Table, and Pochette Armchair by Piero Lissoni – the latest addition to the brand’s Manila showroom.
In the Lao Lianben and Arturo Luz Room, the “Monk’s House” takes center stage. Lao Lianben’s masterpiece depicts a serene landscape characterized by a village situated in the highlands, reinterpreted through Lao’s distinct style that entails layering different textures. The Lao Lianben room also features the limited edition Blitz Table by Mario Bellini — #7 out of 100 in the world. Highlighted in the same room are Arturo Luz’s beloved Performer Series, a collection of paintings that feature the artist’s fascination with performers and the theatrical arts. These works showcase Luz’s signature style of geometric abstraction, with bold shapes and bright colors arranged in dynamic compositions. His works are complemented by B&B Italia’s Eileen Console, another timeless piece that easily combines with Luz’s variety of styles and art forms.
Another space, dedicated to modern contemporary artist, Jigger Cruz, features one of his large-scale abstract paintings marked by Cruz’s use of vivid colors, patterns, and perplexing layers. The painting sits alongside a rare Lor Calma sculpture and is tied together with the forever-iconic crowd favorite Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini and Mini Papilio Chair by Naoto Fukasawa.
Heading up to the 10th floor of the B&B Italia showroom, the main display features a monochromatic room and an assortment of works by contemporary glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, as well as select pieces from HR Ocampo, Fernando Zobel, Arturo Luz, and Ang Kiukok. These are paired with B&B Italia classics including the Mart, Atoll, and Le Bambole Armchairs with the Alanda ’18 Small Tables all displayed in sets of two. This space creatively reflects Cuevo’s sense of duality and balance and his characteristic gravitation towards black and white tones.
Juvenal Sanso and Annie Cabigting’s works are spotlighted side-by-side in another room. On one side, the room is bathed in the warmth of Sanso’s Low Tide (Matabungkay) painting which pairs perfectly with the Husk Armchairs. On the other side lies Cabigting’s Destroyed Painting which focuses the limelight on one of the world’s most influential artists of the 20th Century, Francis Bacon. The dark hues of Cabigting’s work are the ideal pair to the deep colors of B&B Italia’s Tufty-Time Sofa by Patricia Urquiola.
In another room, we find a special area dedicated to Chinese artist, Lv Shanchuan, who is acclaimed for his expressive and bold brushwork. The space features his “Spectacle II” which embodies the artist’s unique style and his enduring fascination with the ideologies of politics, power, and social relations. The bright, evocative colors of Shanchuan’s work go perfectly well with Ramon Orlina’s glass sculpture “Foresight” in carved pink crystal, and complement B&B Italia’s striking Beverly ‘14 Chairs by Antonio Citterio.
The Art & Space Serie 02 gala night, itself an intimate cocktail event, was held at the B&B Italia Showroom in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It took place last March 30 to commemorate the exhibition’s official launch to the public. The event was attended by select members of the press, notable art collectors, society guests, as well as architects, interior designers, and select B&B Italia clientele. Celebrated Filipino contemporary sculptor Daniel Dela Cruz, whose works were also on display at the Art & Space Exhibit, graced the event as its special guest. Guests were treated to refreshing cocktails by Johnnie Walker Blue Label and delectable Italian bites prepared by Focus Global’s in-house chefs. They went home with handcrafted chocolate bars inspired by the artful pieces on display.
For inquiries, appointments, or private tours, contact B&B Italia Manila by calling 8705 9999. You may also get in touch through Facebook or Instagram (@bebitaliamanila).