Symposium at Galleria Objets

Anything expressive went: from songs, poems, performance, journal extracts and notes to stand-up and movement. Truly a space that encouraged expression in all its forms, creative ideas of every kind found a supportive audience. The event brought together a community of creatives around Galleria Objets’ cosy brick fireplace, fostering connection, creativity and collaboration among friends, both old and new. Emphasising a culture of self-expression, Symposium welcomed both polished final works and pieces still in progress, catalysing further creativity and inspiring new ideas.

“This freedom of sharing and accessibility in art creates an environment where art feels organic and authentic and people seem to celebrate that space where they can be themselves.
We welcome the audience to learn and be curious about other artistic practices, to encourage conversation in order to share creative cultures. I have always believed that this taps into engaging in what makes us fundamentally human: to connect and to understand each other’s way of seeing the world and expression.”

Jules also highlights certain ways in which the environment is intentionally challenging:

“One of the most interesting parts of the evening is asking people to invite questions and curiosity when met with an opposing or conflicting view. We encourage people to be respectful in their confusion or disagreement and invite them to embrace an open conversation about each other’s views, with a focus on understanding each other’s perspective. This, I find, makes the crowd feel comfortable to trust their own curiosity and interested in their own search for understanding, hoping to hear a fresh perspective or a respectful disagreement at least.

Ironically, this makes us feel more comfortable to be around each other and to try and understand when we perhaps initially do not. All of this I believe to be a part of a creative act.”

Symposium foregrounded Filipino creatives and independent businesses, with proceeds going towards relief efforts following Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, a destructive tropical cyclone that devastated the Philippines in November 2025. The feel-good environment was twofold: sharing creativity while raising funds for emergency aid.

The mic was first occupied by volunteers, after which names were drawn to suggest the next speakers. Pieces often written in peaceful solitude were brought into a vibrant public sphere, supported by a strong turnout that provided both a microphone and an audience for all who wished to share and listen.

“The format of the event was very inspiring. Although it was an open mic, there was no physical microphone, which encouraged more attentive listening and fostered a comforting environment where people truly listened and felt heard. There was a sense of symbiotic energy exchange; performers and audience alike both gave and received energy, remaining fully present within the circle. Everyone was on the same level; the intentional absence of a stage democratised creativity under one roof. The atmosphere was genuinely welcoming, creative and open, and by the end of the event everyone’s energy felt renewed and uplifted.”

Sincerely,
Galleria Objets.