MANILA, Philippines — Audacious can mean bold, daring, brave, and for 20 artists, they took risks, embraced uncertainty and dared play with materials to show their work in a space both public and impersonal.

“Audacity,” a group exhibit featuring 20 artists across different media, is currently on view at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. It is a venue better known for corporate offices than art installations, buzzing with people on official business who may or may not have time to pause and look.

Yet, somewhere in those concrete floors is an exhibit that makes people feel things — intrigue, introspection, nostalgia, curiousity — and this is exactly what art curator Chloe Magpayo intended.

“When I first saw the space, my immediate reaction was that it felt audacious. It was raw, industrial, and not what you’d expect from a white-cube gallery, but that’s also what made it exciting,” Magpayo told Philstar.com. 

She described Audacity as a personal milestone: her first large-scale project after curating smaller, contained exhibits.

“The word ‘audacity’ came naturally from that feeling. It captured both the character of the space and the kind of boldness I wanted the artists to bring into it,” she added. 

‘Art for all’ 

Magpayo, who has a background in fashion and fragrance marketing, assembled artists whose practices range from experimental sculpture to textile and installation art.

Among them is Marco Santos, or also known as MYSAN, who comes fresh off his second solo show “Man-hole” at Makati Cinema Square in September. 

Santos is an artist who bloomed late in life, in his 50s after a career in business, advertising and education. His favored medium is fire, and in Audacity, he reignited his artwork “Flow” with fire and paint, adhesive and waterproof membranes—a daring choice of media.

“I guess I’m an audacious person,” Santos told Philstar.com. 

The artist is loving the attention “Audacity” is getting, especially from Gen Zs. 

“They are not too overly concerned about who made it or how much it is. They just like it. Straight from the heart,” he noted about the majority of their exhibit’s visitors. 

The exhibit has gained unexpected traction on TikTok, attracting young audiences who film and share their visit.

“It should be everywhere and anywhere. Art is becoming more experiential,” he said. 

Emotion, memory

Maricar Tolentino, another featured artists, uses embroidery for curtain panels. “Tabing IV” and “Tabing V” depict the body as both subject and surface. 

The curator said that viewers often linger on her work because they feel those were “intimate and brave.” 

Another highlight is Fruitjuice Factori Studio’s “Signs and Imitations,” an installation made from salvaged Max’s Restaurant signage and reclaimed school benches. It unexpectedly became the centerpiece of the show.

“It’s playful and nostalgic, but it also speaks to memory, identity, and cultural history. I think people respond to it because it’s visually striking yet layered with meaning once you spend time with it,” Magpayo said.

Quiet power

Magpayo said the warm reception from students, families and curious passersby has been a positive leap.

“It’s been amazing to see such a range of people come through. Some were just passing by and got curious enough to walk in,” she said.

Surprised to see how the exhibit, ongoing until Saturday, November 15, became viral, Magpayo said the attention has met the concept. Audacity, after all, does not necessarily mean loud or shocking. It could be honesty, following through an idea and vision even when it is uncertain or uncomfortable.

“An audacious person is someone who takes risks with intention — who doesn’t just rebel for the sake of it, but creates from a place of clarity and conviction,” Magpayo said.