BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT: Weaving sustainability into the extraordinary
In a world of fast-cycle and fleeting trends, Benilde Open stands as a definitive bastion of interdisciplinary rigor—a chic, steadfast gold standard. Moving beyond the blueprint of preservation, Filipino design now breathes as a visionary force, transmuting the sustainable into the sublime.”
The second edition of Benilde Open Design + Art has just finished rewriting the rules of the local creative landscape. It was a high-concept collision of art, technology and a profound reverence for sustainability.
BENILDE Open convenors (standing are) Ayi Magpayo, Gabby Lichauco, (seated ) Dindin Araneta, Joselina Cruz, Rita Nazareno.
Under the astute convening of Ayi Magpayo, Rita Nazareno, Gabby Lichauco, Joselina Cruz and Dindin Araneta — and bolstered by the vision of Benilde president Br. Dodo Fernandez FSC — this initiative remains the gold standard for those who dare to dream in “untried” territories.
The brief, “Extension of Nature,” pushed this year’s luminaries to explore the dialogue between the organic and the engineered. The results were visceral, spanning the spectrum of textiles, industrial design and moving image.
‘LOCUS Pocus #2, Maytubig’ by Karl Castro.
Jake Verzosa
‘WASTEof Space’ by Andi Osmeña.
The notables who secured the coveted P300,000 production grants — selected by an elite international jury including curators Jihoi Lee and Timothy Moore, architect Mireia Luzárraga, global design executive Nathalie Huni and designer Freddy Anzures — read like a definitive list of the new establishment. Namely. Andi Osmeña, Bianca Carague, Karl Castro, Kiri Dalena and Ben Brix, Krisher Appay, Mac Andre Arboleda, Mikael Joaquin, Nicolei Racal, Niño Tayao and Studio Unosinotra.
