Showing 1 - 10 of 82
From past to present
Life, Published on 12/06/2024
» When photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom visited Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya in 2021, he was surprised to see broken Buddha statues. What was unique was broken parts of the Buddha statues were replaced with fragments from other Buddha statues. He wondered why the Fine Arts Department structured Buddha statues that way, since the fragments were a mismatch.
Reforming Thai cinema
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 03/06/2024
» It has been eight months since the National Soft Power Strategy Committee was established under the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Meanwhile, the Thai film industry, supported by the Thailand Creative Culture Agency, has not seen any significant changes.
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
Bigmouth strikes Bangkok
Life, Gary Boyle, Published on 24/10/2023
» Shoplifters of the world unite and take the MRT, as Morrissey almost sang, because the English singer is making his debut on Thai soil. His 2016 concert was cancelled during a period of national mourning, but this time around downtown fans will be pleased to avoid the schlep to Moonstar or Impact, as Morrissey is playing the MRT-adjacent Samyan Mitrtown Hall on Nov 18.
Fascinating Fonts
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/07/2022
» The Thai alphabet has an aesthetic appeal that has inspired many creative and artistic works. Since today is National Thai Language Day and to honour Thailand's mother tongue, here are a few noteworthy Thai-font-inspired works and the creative minds behind them.
2021 photos of the year
Published on 30/12/2021
» Take a look at Bangkok Post's best photos of 2021.
Contemporary mediocrities
Life, Apinan Poshyananda, Published on 03/05/2021
» At the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture's (OCAC) Art Collection in the spacious art hall on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, a group of ageing male artists covered in sanitary masks surrounded the director of OCAC, Vimolluck Chuchart, who gave a self-congratulatory speech. She proudly announced that the public will be able to view for the first time the national collection of the Ministry of Culture's contemporary Thai art. Beside these elderlies stood a white giant fibreglass sculpture by Sutee Kunavichyanont in Thai military uniform wearing a helmet with a rifle erect. Sutee's Equality; Thai Soldier (2016) is inspired by the cultural mandates between 1939 and 1942 during the premiere of Phibul Songkhram that aimed to uplift the national spirit and moral code of the nation and instil progressive tendencies and newness into Thai life.
Highlights of Thailand's art scene in 2020
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 30/12/2020
» Like other industries, everything related to the art industry, from museums, art festivals, art fairs, galleries and more took a hiatus during the pandemic lockdown. However, after the lockdown was lifted, the country's art scene started to get a little more vibrant. Even Thailand's largest art festivals, Bangkok Art Biennale, returned.
Blossoming of hope
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 01/12/2020
» Alex Face aka Patcharapol Tangruen -- a renowned Thai artist -- has always been aware that his works will not last forever. While he may create an incredibly impressive mural today, it might be erased tomorrow as it is either painted over or the wall is simply torn down. The Covid-19 pandemic has only emphasised the fact that many things are vulnerable and uncertain. During the lockdown, Alex's wife ordered flowers for their home and the artist and his 11-year-old daughter created their own still life paintings of blossoms and wilting flowers. His iconic character -- a moody-looking three-eyed childlike figure in a rabbit suit -- is also included in a painting, and that is how he began creating his latest collection titled "Monument Of Hope".
Asean on screen
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 02/09/2020
» Ahead of the BAFF featuring Southeast Asian movies plus Chinese and Japanese titles, Life spoke with two filmmakers about their work