Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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.
Keep calm – and keep hands off the art
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 23/01/2023
» The urban art landscape in Thailand was marred earlier this month when a popular contemporary installation of a white buffalo called Kwai Calm was broken by a drunk British tourist who attempted to climb atop the sculpture, which stands in front of Samyan Mitrtown.
After chaos comes calm
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 08/11/2022
» The third edition of Bangkok Art Biennale 2022 (BAB 2022) with its theme "Chaos: Calm" reflects obstacles that mankind encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both chaos and calm are temporary states that are interchangeable according to situations and conditions.
Venice and the milk of dreams
Life, Apinan Poshyananda, Published on 15/08/2022
» Santa Maria Della Salute, also known as Saint Mary of Health, stands majestically at Punta Della Dogana by the Grand Canal in the city of Venice. In 1631, Venice experienced an unusually devastating plague when nearly a third of the population was wiped out. As a votive offering, the Republic of Venice vowed to build and dedicate a church to Our Lady of Health with objects of art that bore reference to the Black Death. In March 2022, after postponement due to Covid-19 that killed thousands in the city, the 59th Venice Biennale opened under the theme of "The Milk Of Dreams" and was welcomed like a warm delicious latte by the art world.
Frolicking in Korat
Life, Apinan Poshyananda, Published on 14/03/2022
» Postponed since 2020 due to Covid-19, Thailand Biennale had a grandiose opening last December in Pak Chong and Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima. Held under the themes of "Butterflies Frolicking On The Mud: Engendering Sensible Capital", "Nature Reigns Supreme In The World. Art Is Having Freedom In One Self" and "Soeng Sin Thin Ya Mo" (Celebration Of Art In The Land Of Ya Mo), the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), Ministry of Culture and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) co-hosted the events with a budget of over 120 million baht.
Subtly subversive
Life, Ariane Kupferman-Sutthavong, Published on 10/01/2018
» 'I'm not an artist -- I'm only 50% of an artist," said Michael Elmgreen of the Nordic duo Elmgreen & Dragset on his recent visit to Bangkok.
Defining the scene
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 30/08/2017
» What exactly is being referred to when we talk about "contemporary art"?
The Saatchi Gallery has its eye on Thailand
Life, Usnisa Sukhsvasti, Published on 09/12/2015
» The Saatchi Gallery in London is currently keeping an eye on Thai contemporary artists with the exhibition "Thailand Eye Presented By Prudential". This first major showcase of contemporary Thai art in the UK is the final instalment in a series of three cultural events to mark the 60th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, beginning with a khon performance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Thai Film Festival at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in June this year.
Culture on a string
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 29/10/2014
» While the epic Ramakien is told through nang talung, the art of shadow puppetry from southern Thailand, a shadow puppet from Hamburg, Germany, will portray a child waking up in the middle of the night.