MMDA, partners launch Pasig River Art project

December 14, 2017

MAKATI CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with the British Council will launch Wednesday (Dec. 13) the “Pasig River Art for Urban Change” project via a river cruise.

The project which expands on nine pumping stations (Arroceros, Aviles, Binondo, Escolta, San Francisco, Makati, Paco, Quiapo, and Valenzuela) can now be viewed by the public by riding the river ferry or going around roads and bridges along the Pasig River.

MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Roberto Almadin said the project is one of the agency’s efforts to create more liveable and inclusive cities through the regeneration of urban waterways and also to encourage the public to reconsider the ferry as a mode of transportation to decongest road traffic.

Leeroy New and Janno Abenoja of LABNEW were earlier commissioned to kick start the initiative last November.

Other artists that lend their skills for the project include Archie Oclos, Cristina Lina and Malarko Hernandez, Ged Alangui, Julius Sebastian, Kris Abrigo, Luigi Almuena, Ralph Eya and Team Manila Graphic Design Studio.

Lina and Hernandez are both based in the United Kingdom and traveled to Manila specifically for the project.

Over 100 people, including volunteers and MMDA employees, were also part of the art production.

The Pasig River Art for Urban Change is a platform for artistic creation and collaboration around the regeneration of the river. It aims to create more liveable and inclusive cities by inviting artists to use the façade of pumping stations as blank canvases for creative expression.

It enables the access of public spaces for artistic expression while raising awareness on the importance of rivers among city dwellers.

Additionally, the project brings attention to the pumping stations, which are often overlooked as common infrastructures in Metro Manila but are vital facilities to address the massive flooding in the metropolis especially during the rainy season.

Davies Paints, San Miguel Holdings Corp., and One Redesign Manila are also partners for the project. (MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

Posted by PIA-NCR

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