Showing 1 - 10 of 27
An art revived
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 30/09/2025
» Rak see lacquer colour painting is a distinct art form found in Asia. It involves mixing pigment powder with clear lacquer sap to create colours resembling oil paint. Artists often add details to their art using black lacquer outlines, gold or silver leaves, and build up multiple overlapping layers. Once dry, the surface is polished to reveal the depth and texture of the layers.
The long and brutal voyage
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 22/05/2025
» In 1521, when his galleon finally cut through the treacherous Pacific Ocean, when the island of Cebu first appeared in his sight at the edge of the horizon, when its slender coconut trees and thatched huts and maybe its half-naked inhabitants came into view, when he lays eyes on all of these, what went through the mind of Ferdinand Magellan?
Fractured bonds
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 28/04/2025
» Neo Sora's debut feature film Happyend envisions a dystopian near-future Tokyo under threat of an earthquake, which forms the backdrop of youth rebellion against authoritarianism. As it is followed by aftershocks that fracture personal relationships, Happyend is an ode to friends drifting apart at the mercy of larger forces, but still in the same universe.
Growing soft power
Life, Arina Matveeva, Published on 03/07/2024
» In an unprecedented cultural exchange at the prestigious 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation unveiled the exhibition "The Spirits Of Maritime Crossing". Curated by Prof Dr Apinan Poshyananda, this groundbreaking Collateral Event brought together artists from Southeast Asia to explore themes of displacement, diaspora and colonialism through the profound symbolism of the ocean.
Satanic sounds from the jungle
Life, John Clewley, Published on 02/07/2024
» In the 1960s in Peru, a funky popular style emerged in the oil-boom cities of the Amazon. It was largely based on Colombian cumbia and Andean tropical music but using the pentatonic scale of Andean music. Additional ingredients include highland huayno, Cuban percussion, psych and surf rock (especially twangy guitars, with as many as three playing together) and plenty of spacey keyboards.
Currents of change
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 13/03/2024
» The Venice Biennale is a prestigious international cultural exhibition. This year, 15 Southeast Asian artists are set to contribute to its 60th edition and showcase their talent at the exhibition "The Spirits Of Maritime Crossing". The exhibition will be held at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana which will open to the public after being closed for 12 years for this momentous event.
Tale of two tropics
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 04/12/2023
» Despite being far apart, Southeast Asia and Latin America share similarities as they are both located in tropical zones. Presented by the National Gallery Singapore, the art exhibition "Tropical: Stories From Southeast Asia And Latin America" reveals connections between the two regions through over 200 artworks, sculptures, drawings, performances and immersive installations by more than 70 artists.
Siam Society hosts talk on Opium War
Life, Published on 18/10/2023
» Interested persons are invited to learn about a series of events in 19th-century China related to the Opium War in a lecture on "Tea, Opium And The Burning Of The Old Summer Palace", at Siam Society, Asok Road, on Oct 26 at 7pm.
A cultural landmark
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 21/06/2023
» To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Corrado Feroci, or Prof Silpa Bhirasri, in the Kingdom of Siam, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) in collaboration with the Bhirasri Institute of Modern Art Foundation and Silpakorn University has organised the exhibition "Art-Thai-Time".
Symbols of strength
Life, Stefan Hell, Published on 28/11/2022
» In central locations of three major Asian cities -- Singapore, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City -- stand bronze elephant statues. If they could talk, these statues could tell of imperialism, civil war, invasion, anti-colonial struggle, independence, nationhood, and more recently of rapid urban and economic development. Perched high up on their plinths, the elephants have witnessed some of the key events in the modernisation and emancipation of Southeast Asia, with all its promises and bloodshed. All three statues were gifts made by Thai kings.