Afternoon tea amidst the tapestries of Aguilar Alcuaz

IN 1968, National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz explored the technique of Art Protis — making unwoven works of art out of fleece wool and fabric on canvas — while on a visit to the Czech Republic (which was then still Czechoslovakia).

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SPRING XII (Abstract #123) by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz

Invented by a team from the Wool Research Institute in the city of Brno, this form of art caught his eye and resulted in the creation of a series of colorful, large-scale works.

The artist himself described Art Protis as “painting with fabrics,” as opposed to painting on fabrics, according to his son Christian Aguilar.

At the lobby of The Peninsula Manilain Makati City, guests can see three of Mr. Aguilar Alcuaz’s tapestries made in this technique, and experience their splendor in the form of afternoon tea.

The special menu, “Federico Aguilar Alcuaz Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea,” inspired by the artist’s works, is available at The Lobby until Sept. 30. The exhibition and the special tea menu are part of the hotel’s Art in Resonance program, which promotes local artists through immersive experiences.

AVENUE BIG ENOUGH

Ricky Francisco of Fundacion Sansó, the curator of the three pieces on display, said that this is the first time in decades that they are being displayed in public.

“Not many people have seen tapestries by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz. We're so happy that The Pen opened its lobby to us because it’s the only time we get to give them justice. A lot of our spaces are too small. To appreciate something of this size and magnitude, you really need a grand lobby,” he told BusinessWorld during a tour of the tapestries at The Pen on Sept. 18.