Art Lounge Manila partners with Hoseki, Fundacion Sansó, and Pure Culture for an exhibit.
Some art lovers may subscribe to the 19th century slogan l’art pour l’art or art for art’s sake, meaning art needs no justification, that it is valuable in and of itself. There are others, however, who see art as a means to achieve a purpose, be it for political or social change, and in the case of the upcoming exhibit “Ebb and Flow,” art as a tool for environmental conservation.
The “collaborative cultural and environmental” event, organized by Art Lounge Manila, in collaboration with Hoseki Jewelry Art, Fundacion Sansó, and Pure Culture, will take place in two different galleries, with Art Lounge Manila at The Podium hosting the project from June 5 to 15, 2025 and Art Lounge Manila in Molito, Alabang from June 12 to 15, 2025.
The exhibition aims to highlight the beauty, resilience, and critical importance of our oceans, and hopes to inspire collective action towards sustainability. The exhibit’s collaborators are bound by the same philosophy that taking care of the ocean is taking care of ourselves.
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acrylic on canvas
oil on canvas
fabricated aluminum alloy, polymer, crystal resin
With this ethos at its core, “Ebb & Flow” features works that explore the cyclical nature of tides, migrations, and ecosystems, alongside the challenges posed by climate change and pollution. Moreover, it goes beyond being an art exhibit as it aims to highlight the interconnectedness between ocean health and our well-being. This is shown through Art Lounge Manila’s pool of collaborators.
For the art aspect, Art Lounge Manila tapped sister company Fundacion Sansó, a foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy of esteemed artist Juvenal Sansó who passed away last March 29. Sansó’s works—the best known of which are his serene landscapes and vibrant floral compositions—are housed in institutions such as the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris, MoMA in New York, and our own National Museum.
Fundacion Sansó was represented by its director Ricky Francisco during the launch of “Ebb & Flow” last May 28 at Art Lounge Manila’s Podium Gallery in Ortigas. Francisco mentioned in his message that every purchase of a Sansó reproduction is an act of support, with proceeds directly funding the foundation’s scholarships at the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, and Bulacan State University, as well as its art grant programs.
For jewelry, Art Lounge Manila collaborated with Hoseki Jewelry Art. Founded by Faico, one of the stalwarts of Philippine jewelry design, Hoseki’s creations are 100% designed and manufactured in the country. As a firm believer in the talent and skill of Filipino artisans, the design house integrates indigenous materials in its fine jewelry collection, all of which have been sourced sustainably.
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Representing Hoseki during the launch of “Ebb & Flow” was Filipino jewelry designer Knoi Esmane, who is celebrated for his bold, abstract, and minimalist pieces. Esmane, who is partner and chief creative officer of Hoseki, shared in his speech that if sourced sustainably, pearl jewelry can offer both “elegance and environmental stewardship.” He added that oysters, where they get their pearls, act as natural saltwater filters.
“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls,” Esmane said toward the end of his speech, quoting his favorite designer Coco Chanel. To which he added: “These ropes of pearls must be sustainable and ethically sourced so that these pearls are not merely adornments but forward and champion the health of our ocean and the well-being of those who are dependent on our marine environment.”
Lastly, for skincare, Art Lounge Manila partnered with Pure Culture, a multi-awarded Filipino-founded clean beauty house. It boasts microbiome-friendly, biocompatible products that “work in harmony with the body and the biosphere.” Pure Culture CEO Stephanie Oller shared during the launch that all their products are plastic neutral, free from toxins, cruelty, and unnecessary fillers, making them safe even for breastfeeding moms or women going through chemotherapy. On top of these, they are consciously designed for high-humidity, high-stress environments like the Philippines. Oller added that Pure Culture makes microbiome skincare products, which are typically “very expensive,” accessible to Filipinos.
“The ocean is our number one inspiration, like the many amazing brands we’re working with in this event,” Oller said, adding that “since day one” they have given back to the ocean which has gifted them with “so much.” With every bottle they sell, they get to collect a pound of plastic, making them a plastic-neutral-plus company.
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“We were conceptualizing a show for World Ocean Day, to do something relevant for that. Then our friends from Fundacion Sansó partnered with us and invited onboard Hoseki and Pure Culture to partner with us, too, to make an even bigger impact,” shared Cindel Tiausas, COO of Art Lounge Manila, in an interview with The POST after the exhibit’s launch. “We thought that together we will be able to pull our resources and create something more meaningful.”
“We wanted to look for ways to be more involved in (ocean) conservation,” Tiausas added. “For some reason, all throughout this year, a lot of our projects involved the waters. We recently also had another exhibition which was in support of the seas, so I guess the trajectory of our company is to go towards that sort of advocacy. For this year, at least, that’s the main drive.”
The Podium and Molito exhibits will feature artworks with marine-related themes from Art Lounge Manila’s roster of artists, jewelry from Hoseki, and Pure Culture skincare products. A portion of all sales will benefit Save Philippine Seas, a non-profit organization that aims to empower “seatizens” towards collective action and behavior change.
Also present at the launch are “Ebb & Flow” sponsors Temple Garden, who delighted us guests with a free hand massage, Agimat, and Half Saints, which provided scrumptious canapes and indulgent cakes for us to enjoy.
For more information, follow the Ebb & Flow” collaborators on social media: @artloungemanila, @fundacion_Sansó, @hosekijewelryart, and @purecultureph
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