Showing 1 - 10 of 24
The art of activism
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 20/02/2017
» The Thai arts scene has become more politically engaging in the past couple of years. The 2014 coup, of course, has been the most significant transition point in this respect. Before, it was very much about making sense of the colour-coded divide, trying to get into the mentality behind such ideological conflict. In the post-coup era, however, it can be said that the ideas and interests have become somewhat more unified. Artists have become increasingly aware of and responded more to the authoritarian power and the climate of fear and rights restriction.
Exhibition weighs in on nature of art and beauty
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/11/2016
» It seems that everyone in the world but this writer had made it to the opening of Erwin Wurm's "The Philosophy Of Instructions" at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre last Friday. The heavy rain and traffic were to blame.
Exhibition asks, 'Has happiness returned to Thailand?'
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 27/07/2016
» If "Fear" -- Manit Sriwanichapoom's latest photography and video show, which opened over the past weekend at H Gallery, Tang Contemporary Art and Kathmandu Photo Gallery (and at Yavuz Gallery in Singapore at the end of the month) -- isn't the hottest topic of discussion in the capital's art scene already, it soon will be.
High hopes
Muse, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 07/05/2016
» As a kid, rather than wanting to spend a day at Disneyland, Sutima Sucharitakul begged her parents to take her to museums -- a request they gladly granted. So it was places like the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert that they would visit when in London, the Palace of Versailles when in France, or churches and synagogues when in other European countries.
An unlikely muse to art of endurance
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 31/03/2016
» So what's the latest? Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the draft charter by the Meechai Ruchupan-led Constitution Drafting Committee -- yes, the one with a wholly-appointed Senate and fixed senator posts for armed forces and police chiefs -- is up for the referendum and, I quote, "No one will dare to touch it."
Wake up and smell the truth
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 10/02/2016
» During a recent press tour of “Scene From A Wake” by Anup Mathew Thomas, this year’s winner of the Han Nefkens Foundation-BACC Award for Contemporary Art, there wasn’t really a tour. We were left to wander unguided, and consequently left confused, even though the Indian artist was present. The second attempt was through an email interview: “Suppose this is a virtual tour, can you take our readers through a few of your pieces in the exhibition?” Here’s his reply:
A play with the audience
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 10/12/2015
» In the painting The Treachery Of Images by surrealist René Magritte, there is the text, "Ceci n'est pas une pipe". But in a new performance by B-Floor's co-artistic director Jarunun Phantachat, she calls it Ceci N'est Pas La Politique (This Is Not Politics). This may well be a treacherous title too, considering how politically outspoken B-Floor has been, with Manoland by Teerawat Mulvilai in October and other performances over the year.
Dance of the majority
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 22/10/2015
» Watching Vidura Amranand dance in swirling red pants, in Teerawat Mulvilai's latest physical performance work Manoland, I was reminded of Somsong, the hysterical stepmother of Fak in Chat Kobjitti's 1985 novel Kam Pipaksa (The Judgement).
Through the look of glass
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 14/10/2015
» 'By The Glass", a current show at Serindia Gallery by British artist Louise Truslow, is perched somewhere between fine and decorative arts. Most of the kiln-formed glasses are bowl-shaped, yet, displayed against a lit table, they become more like abstract sculptures, immediately rid of function and practicality.
Life certainly is bleak
Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/06/2015
» Joyless, glum and uninspiring. These are just a few of the words ascribed to this year’s Venice Biennale. There’s truth in that — a considerable amount.