It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

December 2, 2015 posted by Vicki in Space

After years of visiting museums that remind you, “Don’t touch!” when it came to art, I really enjoy the idea of art that you can touch and feel. When you have a public art installation that children feel curious and safe enough to touch and play around it, you know you have a success on your hands.

Olivia d’Aboville’s Giant Dandelions at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark last year

Last year, SM Aura Premier featured Giant Dandelions by artist Olivia d’Aboville who uses recycled materials such as used plastic spoons and forks, wires, glass and even cocktail stirrers in her artwork. Giant Dandelions was made out of recycled water bottles that first premiered at the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival held earlier last year in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, as seen in this link. Based on the astounding success of last year’s Lights and Sounds Show for children aged 1 to 92, SM Aura Premier has tapped another artist to create a new interactive installation for its outdoor Holiday Lights and Sounds Show.

Really gnarly, dude!

When you want a breather from shopping or just want to get away from the florescent lights and super cold air-con of SM Aura Premier, I urge you to go upstairs, get some fresh air and visit this year’s exhibit entitled Astreopora, created by Filipino artist Leeroy New, who is known for his otherworldly sculptures, like something out of a Sci-Fi flick. Find yourself whisked away to somewhere you have never been before yet feel strangely familiar in it. For me, Astreopora reminded me of being underwater amongst the world of bright neon sea creatures and spidery corals or part of the stage play of Finding Nemo.  Maybe it was inspired by this jellyfish exhibit at Manila Ocean Park?

The strange and wonderful world of jellyfish

 This was my first time to see New’s artwork up close and I knew why his exhibit felt so familiar- I was surprised to find  the materials used in his installation are ordinary plastic household items you can probably buy in the kitchen section of a grocery store or cheaper yet, Divisoria. So far I found plastic tubing, those plastic wires they put on your luggage after it goes through TSA, plastic baskets used for washing vegetables in and basins used for hand washing clothes in and more. This is “street” art at its finest!

Sophie and Margie checking out Astreopora; me wondering, “Is that really a plastic halo-halo glass?”

Starting at 6PM and every 30 minutes until 10PM, alternative and rock and roll Christmas music plays as the lights blink on and off randomly in the art. Bring your whole family to the SM Aura Skypark to take photos with Astreopora for Instagram and enjoy the cool December air. You might even feel a little Christmas spirit.

For more of Leeroy New artwork, check him out here.

May all your gypsetting dreams come true,

Vicki