Showing 1 - 9 of 9
The case of the closing(?) Art Center
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 11/01/2017
» To close down or not to close down? One would have thought that that is not the question for Chulalongkorn University's The Art Center, after having been one of Thailand's most prominent art institutions for 20 years -- after playing host to some of Thailand's best-established artists as well as international names such as Joan Miró, Marina Abramovic, Zhang Peili and more.
The politics of love
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/09/2016
» Thanapol Virulhakul, critically-acclaimed stage director and choreographer, has a way of giving space a certain significance. His take is usually minimalistic, the stage bare and his actors assigned with limited set of movements, and it is the relentless repetition of those elements that would slowly make up the storyline and become part of the blow in the end.
A simulated freedom is our best hope
News, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/06/2016
» So, David Cameron in the UK is quitting and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha won't. Then came along Lionel Messi and England manager Roy Hodgson's sudden decisions to retire from their international duties. But one should not bring all this up again; all is settled at home, the man stood his ground.
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."
Thais take the Lion City
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 03/02/2016
» Singapore's Art Week is over but it doesn't mean there aren't any good remnants left. The newly-opened National Gallery, for one, is hardly what one would call a remnant, with a comprehensive collection of works by Southeast Asian artists from the 19th century onwards which would take at least a day to completely take in. There are also, of course, a few major shows at the old military quarters-turned-art hub Gillman Barracks, such as Steve Mccurry's iconic photography show, Yinka Shonibare's new sculptures and Joan Jonas' acclaimed "They Come To Us Without A Word" exactly as seen in last year's Venice Biennale.
Myth, love and blind earthworms
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 09/11/2015
» Veeraporn Nitiprapha's debut novel, which has just won this year's SEA Write Award, is ultimately a trap. Read it, and if you are totally into the world this author has created, then you are, as the book's title suggests, a Blind Earthworm In A Labyrinth (Saiduan Tabod Nai Khaowongkot).
Painting in the eye of the storm
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 03/12/2014
» 'You'd better come up here, we should get drunk together and then talk," said Chiang Mai-based artist Mit Jai Inn. The 55-year-old, who insisted I address him as phi (brother) instead of loong (uncle) despite the fact that he was already an established artist before I was even born, was apologetic for not explaining himself very well during a recent telephone interview.
The Cult: You're either in or out
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 30/10/2014
» The girls at Monte Cristo School are overly demure and respectful. The school's shrine has a spot for a picture of the country's leader to which students bow with deepest loyalty and gratitude when passing by. They're musically adept, but only with Thai tunes. (Western songs like those of The Beatles are strictly forbidden).
Coming full circle
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 08/10/2014
» Running at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) until the middle of next month, “Thai Charisma: Heritage + Creative Power” is a juxtaposition of museum-quality artefacts and contemporary works of art — the very old with the very new — which results in an experience that’s sometimes so overwhelming that it’s difficult to digest or even describe.