Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 (BAB)

I’m very excited to announce very first Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 in Thailand!. The Bangkok Art Biennale has launched on 19 October, showcasing talented list of international artists. Across 20 venues. The contemporary exhibitions will be showcased over 4 months from (Oct 2018 -Feb 2019). We’re following in the creative footsteps of the world-renowned expos hosted in Basel, Miami and Venice, that was first held in 1895 (lonelyplanet.com, 2018). This year’s event theme is ‘Beyond Bliss’ with 75 international artists from 34 countries displaying their works within historic locations including ancient temples, nineteen century colonial buildings and contemporary art spaces.

I visited the only one space at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre nearby Siam Square, it’d take you all day to explore all the exhibition an installation arts showcase in BACC. It’s pretty crowded even in weekdays, more than 87% are local and few foreigner visitors. I’m amazed how many people has paid so much attention to the very first Bangkok Arts Biennale. When you first enter the BACC building, you will notice the clusters of plastic baskets was attached together from 6th floor until the 1st floor (left picture). Then, when you reach the 4th floor you will see the “Spiritual Spaceship by Torlarp Larpjaroensook” installation where artist use the objects like antique teak wood cabinet, vases, metal, copper, monitor, electronic light bulb joint together as Spaceship. I love how they recycle all unused things to make a very fascinating art piece. Same as the skeleton art works where they use bottles of beer, and decisive it into pieces and paint it as skeleton-like.

Another interesting thing is that artist use hairs to make art pieces like tree, flowers, and more. I like how creative they are that try to use their own resources, in another way to save artist’s budget as well. Many art works has been amazed me, Especially, the exhibition called “A Possible Island?”. Unfortunately this exhibition wasn’t allow to take any pictures. So I can only show you the video teasers of all 8 performance from all artist above. They present a space for the understanding hues of emotion, social and political boundaries, and human relations.

The one that I’m amazed is Taweesak Molsawat. On daily he walks from his home for nearly 21 kilometers (a 4-6 hour walk), to the BACC. He carries a box of fake flowers, and Facebook live streams the walk on a phone hung around his neck. Molsawat illustrate a fictionalized ritual of daily life. His arrival draws the attention of all the visitors. Another one is “The whispers of a candle, Vandana is citing meditative Hindu scripture” She moves towards the candles, circles around the candle, and sits in front of the candle. The public is invited to join her in a seat. There is something humble and spiritual in this show, and somehow make me feel calm as also focus on candle as her.

The rests are those installation, needle works, and photographs. illustrate traditional Thai’s houses, urban and rural area. I visit from first floor until 7 floor (the last exhibition). I’d say I love all the exhibition and incredible creative installation at BACC! Bangkok, This drives the conversion of tourists to Thailand and yet entice Thai’s people to learn more about arts from other countries as well. This also open opportunity for those who into Arts industry to showcase their works, and illustrate the potential of Thai’s artist. Since the installation and art works are also placed in Temple, and historical places so this event would bring locals and non-locals to the heart of Thai cultures and learn something new.