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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Giant sculptures dot SM Aura Premier’s Sky Park

Four giant sized sculptures in eye-catching bold colors are now the focus of conversations among visitors of SM Aura Premier. Standing up to six meter tall, the animal-inspired steel sculptures painted in vibrant colors and designed by Filipino-American contemporary artist Jefre Figueras have since become the favorite selfie spots among mall goers. Dubbed as contour sculptures that take on the form of a rooster, a carabao, a tarsier and the Philippine eagle, the artist drew inspiration from the stacking architectural ribbons and fluid interior spaces of SM Aura. The building form reminded the artist of the living, functional landscape of the Rice Terraces, and each piece is visualized as a series of vertical stagnant lines. But as one goes around the piece, the lines appear to extrude, forming a series of dynamic horizontal ribbons to metaphorically resemble various the animals of the Philippines.    Yet more than just eye-catching pieces, the sculptures were also created by the artist to signify Filipino aspirations and values.
Filipino-American artist Jefre Figueras is a noted public artist
According to Jefre, the Philippine eagle, which is one of the largest and most endangered species in the world, evokes conservation and hope. The red carabao, on the other hand, stands for hard work and strength, while the blue rooster was designed as a symbol of pride and vibrancy. The green tarsier, which is found in the southern part of the archipelago, is considered by Jefre as one of the most enduring symbols of the Philippine islands.
The blue Rooster is a symbol of pride and vibrancy
“What inspired me to do these pieces was that the whole SM Aura building was based on the idea of layering, very similar to the rice terraces of Banaue in the northern Philippines,” Jefre said. A noted public artist, Jefre has constructed several site-specific artworks in cities around the world including London, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Abu Dhabi, San Antonio, and most recently Manila. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago prior to receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University and was named one of the seven “Faces of Design for 2007” by the Florida Inside Out architecture magazine for his environmental art and couture landscapes.
The Philippine Eagle, one of the largest and most endangered species in the world, was designed by Jefre as a symbol of conservation and hope
The prestigious Marlborough Gallery in New York City also named him as an “Up and Coming International Public Artist” and the Lexus Corporation chose him to be the sixth member of its ECO Hybrid Living National Design Team for environmental conscious carbon neutral environments. Jefre is passionate about sharing his public art initiative through his line of new interactive designs and upcoming public art projects.
The artist beside the giant Tarsier sculpture at the entrance of SM Aura Premier
As a designer and public art initiator, the Fil-am’s design solutions originate from a deep understanding of the historical, environmental, social and contextual relationships influencing the site and the architecture. In 2008, the artist launched his own couture landscape and public art studio with a focus on environmental art, green roofs, boutique plazas and parks and public art master plans. The larger than life sculptures of Carabao, Eagle, and Rooster are located at the SKY Park of SM Aura Premier while Tarsier welcomes visitors at the grand entrance of the mall.

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