Showing 1 - 10 of 37
Freedom, creatively speaking
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 22/02/2017
» In many ways, "Condemned To Be Free", a duo exhibition which just opened last week at WTF Gallery, is in a constant state of flux. On the first floor, artist Kritsada Duchsadeevanich looks simultaneously at the transformation of his own political ideology and that of the country's political history. On the upper floor, painter Tawan Wattuya leaves out his watercolours and turns the gallery into an experimental space where the lines between art and activism, the authority of an artist and voice of ordinary people, are blurred.
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.
Remaking the scene
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 21/12/2016
» It has been a busy year for the Thai art scene, with well-known artists taking turns treating Bangkok viewers to their latest works, new galleries welcomed and old ones closing down, and politics remaining deeply embedded in artistic expression.
Personal scars, political history
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 12/10/2016
» In "Under The Same Sky", the latest exhibition at Nova Contemporary by photographer Tada Hengsapkul and artist Chai Siris, personal history and that of the world entwine. In no way does the show appear to strive at having these narratives untangled.
The fear is here
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 03/08/2016
» With any political fight, it's hardly the end when street clashes are over -- camps demolished, protesters injured or dead and the authorities able to curb the movement or finally comply with its demands. The fight continues and what's perhaps more significant than action on the streets is finding the desired spot in a page in history, in people's minds. The question is: how are we to be remembered?
Drink up 'cos the generals won't go away
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 28/07/2016
» So this is it then; come next Sunday we're off to the polling stations for the referendum vote. That familiar locale, a school, a temple or a mosque temporarily converted into a theatre of democracy; where we performed our duty as active citizens in the Feb 2, 2014 election which was later made null and void.
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.
Art attack
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/06/2016
» The art dispute of the year is upon us. As the art community sees the rift open up, it also reminds society of the ideological divide that has plagued Thailand for many years. The stage is the exhibition called "The Truth_ To Turn It Over" curated by Gwangju Museum of Art to commemorate the 1980 Gwangju Uprising against the military dictatorship; it's been almost a month since the show opened in South Korea, but it's still very much "an ongoing process" -- a very heated one at that.
Blinded by the light
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 25/05/2016
» As stated in the text, "Oscillation", an exhibition at Chulalongkorn University's Art Center which opened earlier this month, "considers a state of actively moving back and forth between multiple reference points and ideas, during which meanings are produced and reproduced".
Protest, die, repeat?
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 18/05/2016
» Sunday marks the second anniversary of the 2014 military takeover, the second coup d'etat in Thailand in a decade and the 12th successful one since absolute monarchy was overthrown in 1932. And three months from now, in August, the highly controversial charter referendum will take place.