SM Aura Premier's 'Art in Aura' and Weekends at the Courtyard

Last May 4th, SM Aura Premier launched 'Art in Aura' at the Courtyard hence Weekends at the Courtyard was born. Weekends at the Courtyard is like an art fair with different artsy booths from local artisans to check out!

The campaign, in collaboration with creative assembly KAPWA Studio, was kicked off by a showcase of murals by notable local artists Anina Rubio, Mercedes Olondriz, Archie Oclos, and multi-hyphenate Dee Jae Pa'este, whose works can already be found all over the metro.

SM Aura aims to take the art out of the gallery and bring it to urban spaces, to make it more accessible to everyone.The movement started 3 years ago with Filipino-American artist, Jefre Manuel, with "Steel Safari", a public art installation of 4 animals  unique to the  Philippines, followed by a Christmas showcase featuring Olivia d'Aboville's "Giant Dandilions" and Leeroy New's "Astreopora". Both large scale installations were set to music at the Skypark lawn. The Aura Tower also features artist Eduardo Castrillo's "Colossal Growth". The Colossal Growth depicts the movement of mass from linear to horizontal. It represents the threshold by which a form, or energy crosses a path and explodes to grandness, redefining itself. It was reacquired from Evangelina Gella Luarca in 1989. The Artist kept it in storage and restored in 2013.

Art in Aura redefines the way one interacts with art, by using images and patterns that are rooted to our heritage. Art in Aura features three outstanding local artists by providing them mural spaces to share their expressive work. One of the featured artists, Anina Rubio, is a freelance visual artist whose art reflects her love for the outdoors. Her work, "Through the Cracks" can be seen at the SM Aura Grand Staircase, featuring common household weeds which she likens to Filipino characteristics like resilience and adaptability.

UP Fine Arts graduate street artist Archie Oclos, pays homage to our country's "National Treasures" through internationally-revered "mambabatok" Apo Whang Od and Lang Dulay, the T'boli Weave Master.

Saw Whang-Od here 👌 #ArtinAura #heymamacoi #mothersdayatSM

A post shared by Coi Contreras Ibañez (@coifishh) on May 14, 2017 at 2:13am PDT

Manila-based Mercedes Olondirz' "Flaura" to depict her goal to bring back organic elements into the urban landscape. It is also joined by digital artist, Ramenrocky, whose works illuminated the Courtyard walls during the launch.

Art in Aura also hosts the first solo exhibit of renowned Filipino contemporary artist Philipp B. Badon, at the SM Aura Atrium, the exhibit is held on May 4-31.

My favorite.

Going artsy 🎨 here at @smaurapremier @artinaura #ArtinAura #heymamacoi #mothersday #mothersdayatSM

A post shared by Coi Contreras Ibañez (@coifishh) on May 14, 2017 at 1:29am PDT

I was invited to SM Aura's Weekends at the Courtyard since their theme for the weekend was well, Mother's Day. The fam (me, Maco & Joshua), headed to SM Aura to see what's up. The mall was pretty jam packed as it is Mother's Day that day. It was so cute to see matching outfits of the mother and daughter/son, even matching outfits for the whole fam!

 What welcomed us to the mall was this floral staircase designed by Te Amo Floristeria Manila

Happy Mother's Day Mommas!! Celebrating Mother's day here at @smaurapremier with the little girl and the Mister 😻 #heymamacoi #mothersday

A post shared by Coi Contreras Ibañez (@coifishh) on May 14, 2017 at 1:12am PDT

We roamed around the mall before heading to the Courtyard. After some pizza and burger, we then went to the Courtyard -they do have some food booths in the courtyard though, and some booze as well. It was at the 5th level near Fitness First. It's their 2nd week that time, they've been open since last week (May 6-7). We met up with Ms. JM of SM Aura, and as what I've experienced with SM employees, they're really nice! Honestly, I've never met a masungit SM employee, and hopefully I really won't! <-this is true, walang halong echos! :)

I was excited when I saw the place, I feel like I went back to my younger years. Lol! But seriously, I felt young in a way! And so does my husband, it felt like we were such cool parents. Heehee ;)
via GIPHY I love all the booths, as all the products were locally made, alongside art workshops by local artists. Awesome! Every corner is so picture worthy, or should I say instagrammable. So, let me share with you guys the photos we took!

Jam packed!! What did I say that you could take photos at every corner? ;)

They also have live musical performances from indie musicians! 

COOL GIRLS CLUB

THE BATH HOUSE PH

KOMIKET

STUDIO BOHEMIA

 There were more booths that I wasn't able to take photos of because I was so overwhelmed with the place -in a good way! I was too excited to take photos, to look at the art workshop going on, and to look at the artworks! My head was like moving 360 the whole time I was there!

Free Mom and Child portrait from Andrei Suleik! Yay! Check out his facebook and IG, you guys!

It was such a different vibe from the whole mall. I felt young, wild and free as what Wiz Khalifa said. There's so much to do at this small space of SM Aura. As I've said, you could join art workshops, you could have your own portrait done by local artist/s present in the place, you could get your own artsy stuff, a new bling (is it still the term now?), or even an artwork to put in your home.

Weekends at the Courtyard happens every weekends, 3PM-10PM.

Thank you, SM Aura Premier, for inviting us at Weekends at the Courtyard, my family and I really enjoyed it!

For more updates on the latest collaborations, featured artists, and events, follow;

@smaurapremier

@artinaura

https://www.facebook.com/artinaura/