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Among the 75-plus artists exhibiting at the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, there are some distinguished names who have collaborated with world renowned fashion houses. Others have managed to put themselves on the map by creating products that are their signatures.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Nawapat Dusdul, Singhanart Nakpongphun /// Photography: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Soopakorn Srisakul, Singhanart Nakpongphun

Over the years, so many collaborations have taken place to the extent that they are blurring the lines between haute couture and visual art. It comes as no surprise that here and now the sky is the limit. When beautiful works of art have left the confines of gallery life and landed in the atelier of a fashion house, the results can be far-reaching. In this presentation, we at Living ASEAN use the symbol x to designate a collaboration. 

01 | Christian Dior x Lee Bul

54-year-old South Korean artist Lee Bul is widely known for her works in many artistic disciplines, among them sculpture and installation art. Driven by a passion for modern art and design, she lets her talent shine in everything she does. The artist regularly collaborates with the European luxury goods company Christian Dior. Some of the highlights of her contributions include Dior Lady Art #2, which came out in the fall of 2017. Interpreting design and manufacturing techniques in a different way, Lee Bul affixes pieces of plexiglass mirrors to the original Lady Dior handbag to imitate the appearance of a single sheet of broken glass. The new couture technique evokes memories of Lee Bul’s “Cella”, her display for the Miss Dior Exhibition at the Grand Palais Paris in 2013. Our editor for art and culture Singhanart Nakpongphun was there to see it and came away very impressed. As he put it, “Cella inspired a sense of peace in an unusual way. Same objects are reflected multiple times in multiple directions. I stood there motionless for quite some time.”

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In this video clip, Lee Bul gives an interview about how she works. Every morning, the Seoul-born artist keeps a detailed log of her activities. It keeps track of the process of developing until she puts the finishing touches to her work of art.

Those interested in Lee Bul’s way of conveying ideas through art shouldn’t miss Diluvium, her architectural installation for the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018. The striking exhibit crafted of multiple metal frames wrapped in silver foil tapes is currently on view at the East Asiatic Building that’s well known for its old world charm.

02 | Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama

Mention polka dots, and the name Yayoi Kusama springs to mind. The Japanese legend was among the first artists to have collaborated with the French fashion house and luxury brand Louis Vuitton. She began working with the atelier of Louis Vuitton in 2012, the most visible result of which being the Louis Vuitton – Yayoi Kusama collection. At the time, bold yet playful polka dots artwork, also known as “Dots Infinity”, began appearing on Louis Vuitton’s Vernis handbags. It wasn’t long before other bestselling models followed suit, most notably Speedy and Neverfull monogram canvas series, not to mention shoes, wallets, scarves … you name it. Yayoi Kusama is also known for her work in store decoration and brand awareness ideas.

Flashback: Here’s a video clip from the fashion blog stylerumer recorded on the day Yayoi Kusama attended a product launch at Louis Vuitton on Fifth Avenue, New York back in 2012.

Handbags, shoes, and clothing aside, it’s time to appreciate the beauty of installation works by the “Queen of polka dots”. Her entries into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, which include the Red Pumpkin with black polka dots, and the Silver Pumpkin with multiple color dots, are currently on view at Central World and Siam Paragon shopping malls.

03 | Prada x Elmgreen & Dragset

The artist duo, Michael Elmgreen of Denmark and Ingar Dragset of Norway, are widely known for creating “Prada Marfa”, an installation featuring a small Prada store somewhere in the middle of a desert in Taxas. Despite it being located just 42 kilometers from the nearest airport, exotic travels take a good three hours to reach it. The crux of the matter is a strong message about capitalism and how it affects the way people think. The visual art piece is created with Prada support.

For the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Elmgreen and Dragset present “Zero”, an 8-meter-tall sculptural installation made to look like the circumference of a swimming pool set at right angles. The thought provoking artwork is on show in front of the East Asiatic Building on the Chao Phraya River for the duration of the festival.

04 | Marina Abramovic

A pioneer in contemporary art, Marina Abramovic is widely known for “The Artist Is Present”, an endurance performance that changes the way art sends a message to the active audience. Her first live performance exhibition debuted at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York in 2010. During the silent show, museum visitors took turns sitting across the table from Marina staring into her eyes for hours. The live performances took 736 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It was the focal point of a series of art exhibits designed to call attention to social issues.

Her iconic works gave the Italian fashion house Gucci an inspiration to host similar events as a means of promoting an exhibition at the Yuz Museum in Shanghai that runs until December 16, 2018. The luxury fashion brand presents its versions of “The Artist Is Present” curated by Maurizio Cattlean. In so doing, Gucci has installed gigantic art walls in the biggest cities across the world featuring the portrait of Marina Abramovic that was taken at the MoMA live performance in New York in 2010.

Besides the big names mentioned above, there are some homegrown artists who have become involved in the fashion world. Jitsing Somboon, formerly creative director at the Thai clothing brand “Playhound, is exhibiting his work titled “Paths of Faith” as part of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018. The artist uses live performance art as a means of telling stories about Thai life and religion. The focal point of his work is a collection of white overcoats with “Faith” in either Thai, English, or Chinese stenciled on their back. The exhibition is on view at the entrance to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Phra Chetupon at Tha Tian. The overcoats are given for people to wear on top of other clothing as they enter an area dedicated to religious purposes in the temple interior.

The show would be incomplete without a couple of cool T-shirts. The up-and-coming artist Komkrit Tepthian also debuts a print T-shirt collection as part of his entry into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018. The white short-sleeved casual top features simple drawings of his Giant Twins installation art stenciled on its front. The image tells stories of long-established friendship in a humorous way. Here’s the link to the artist’s fan page if you want one: Komkrit Tepthian : Artist

Whether you’re interested in the arts, fashion, or design, there are plenty of inspiring shows awaiting your visit. The Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 is going on now until next February 3. Featuring more than 200 masterpieces by international and homegrown artists, the inaugural art festival is being held at 20 different locations throughout the capital city. This time you don’t have to travel far to appreciate the beauty and the power of art. It’s the opportunity you can’t afford to miss. Art lovers. mark your calendar!

Ask anyone in the street a simple question about Thai-ness. “What’s the first thing that comes to your mind?” And you may get something like traffic jams for an answer. It will come as no surprise. Everywhere you look, the streets are wedged solid with the traffic gridlock especially during rush hours.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Nawapat Dusdul /// Photography: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Soopakorn Srisakul, Singhanart Nakpongphun

From a different point of view, you may get something positive for an answer, something like beautiful temples, the marvels of ancient architecture, or the land of colorful taxis. But Thai-ness isn’t about people’s perceptions of anyone or anything in particular. It’s a million memories that constitute a distinctive national identity. Good or bad, the underlying attributes of Thai-ness are hidden in all things we do. They range from little things like the flower garlands used in the worship of the Buddha and dolls in full traditional dance regalia, to spectacular scenery including temples and palaces, national monuments and colorful nightlife. All things considered, the perceptions of the quality of being Thai can differ greatly from one person to the next, and it’s open to interpretation. That’s where art comes into play as a medium of expression that in a subtle way explains, reframes, and conveys an understanding of what it means to be Thai.

The contemporary art festival “Bangkok Art Biennale 2018” is doing exactly that. 75 artists from Thailand and abroad are exhibiting more than 200 works at some 20 venues throughout the capital city from now until 4 February 2019. For many homegrown artists, it’s a golden opportunity to express their ideas, passions, and commitments through various creative arts, ranging from installations and live performances to paintings and sculptures. It’s inevitable that their perceptions of the underlying attributes of Thai-ness is hidden in the works of art they put on display. And it’s entirely up to you to interpret them. We at LivingASEAN.com are proud to bring you some of the masterpieces created your compatriots.

Something about Thai-ness in home goods, décor and accessories

We have grown accustomed to seeing glass-faced armoires crafted of teakwood as part of our childhood experience. Equally familiar are pieces of architecture and a few ceramic vases that look very Thai to us. Over time, these home goods and décor items have changed hands as they get passed on from generation to generation or sold on the local marketplace. Now they can be found at temples. The flowers vases are widely used in the worship of the Buddha and merit making ceremonies across the country. Artist Torlarp Larpjaroensook, an Ayutthaya native, now lives in Chiang Mai. He’s no stranger to traditional art and craft, and he knows exactly what to do with them. His latest masterpiece is the representation of a spacecraft that he creates using old armoires, home goods and accessories that he found lying around unused at the home of a relative. He calls his objet trouvé installation “Spiritual Spaceship”. We call it the power of imagination.

The installation that measures 485 x 815 x 349 centimeters consists of found objects, among them an old armoire, a few vases, iron and copper implements, a spade, computer screens, electric lamps and fragments of various items. Together, they constitute a spacecraft model that he calls “Spiritual Spaceship 2018”. The artist is passionate about spatial relationships and interactions between works of art and exhibition viewers. His works illustrate how even unexciting materials can be modified and eventually come to be appreciated as art. Especially in “Spiritual Spaceship 2018”, there’s something about being Thai in the obsolete items that the artist uses as a medium of expression. In a nutshell, it’s a marriage between old objects and ultramodern architectural design. Who would have thought the final outcome would be a spacecraft with Thai-ness elements on it?

One of the magnets for art lovers, Basket Tower is an installation by Choi Jeong Hwa, a big name in South Korea’s contemporary art scene. The soaring sculpture is made of hundreds of brightly colored baskets in various shapes and sizes that Choi single-handedly picked from the marketplace. A versatile artist with many rewards to his name, Choi has authoritative knowledge in effective use of space. His past works include sculptures, installations, fashion and graphic designs. Choi gets most of his inspirations from undistinguished, even recycled materials that he finds in daily living and turns them into amazing works of art. Interestingly, there’s something in the colorful Basket Tower that bespeaks Thai-ness. The brilliant color combinations appear to be sending a message about life being fun, which coincides the quality of being Thai. The sculpture that stands as tall as a five-story building is on display at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.

Something about Thai-ness in Cultural History

A force to be reckoned with in Thailand’s mixed media art scene, Pannapan Yodmanee was among a few Thai artists to ever win the 11th Benesse Prize that was part of the Singapore Biennale 2016. For her, the fun part of it was the opportunity to compete with fellow artists from 19 countries from across Asia. Apart from the award money, she had the privilege of exhibiting her works at the Benesse Art Site in Naoshima, dubbed Japan’s island of art.

Pannapan’s entry into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 is a transportable installation titled “Sediments of Migration”. The sculptural exhibition consists of six miniature mountains, hermit figures in yoga poses, and a collection of ballast stones used in stabilizing the cargo ships of ancient times. Inspired by mural paintings found throughout the temple ground of Wat Phra Chetupon, it tells stories of the long established trade and cultural relations between the people of old Siam and their Chinese counterparts.

The artist said in an interview, “Through this installation, I want to communicate to the audience cultural harmony and the assimilation that exists between two peoples from entirely different backgrounds. It turns out to be quite a challenge because the miniature mountain landscapes must be kept intact, while media of expression are added to the scene to produce a pleasing visual effect.” Pannapan was able to do exactly that. Some exhibition viewers have said it wasn’t easy to tell the difference between old and new parts that made up the installation art.

Likewise, it’s the dream of the up-and-coming artist Komkrit Tepthian to feature a page of Thai history and religion in the early Ratanakosin Period. His entry into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 is a sculptural installation consisting of two three-meter-tall Giant Twins. It features the likeness of a sculptural Chinese warrior and a giant gatekeeper from classical mythology.

On a related topic, Chinese avant-garde artist Huang Yong Ping presents Dragon Boat, a 16-meter-long sculptural installation depicting a journey by the people who migrated from China to settle in Thailand in the past century. Huang is founder of the Xiamen Dada art movement.

Something about Thai-ness and the Environment 

Patipat Chaiwitesh is a new generation artist with a unique way of expressing ideas about events and their impacts on society. He has created works in a number of genres from sculpture to installation to textile art. For the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, his installation with a futuristic name, “2562++”, has excited the curiosity of many viewers. That’s exactly the intention. The artist sees his work both as a laboratory and means to promote an awareness of the effects of change in the natural surroundings. The message is being conveyed in the artistic representations of fish, birds, and crustaceans that appear to have undergone transformation as the result of environmental degradation by humans. The artist’s work is on display at the East Asiatic Building.

On a related topic, British artist Andrew Stahl presents “Pyramid Shape Sculpture 2018”, a two-meter-tall installation crafted of fragments of toys and found objects that he plucked from the Chao Phraya River. His work raises concern over water quality and the health of rivers in Thailand. Professor Stahl is chair of the Painting Department at the UCL Slade School of Fine Arts. His pyramid-shaped sculpture stands covered in multiple layers of warm-color paint spread over the surfaces that he uses to draw attention to hot issues concerning water pollution problems. Stahl has used his painting skill to chronicle a journey through time and unfamiliar places, where culture and language differ greatly from his own. He specifically made reference to the physical environment of Bangkok from an artist’s perspective and the enormous energy that made it a vibrant destination.  Stahl said in an interview: “A journey on the Chao Phraya evokes memories of the time when the first Europeans discovered old Siam and came into the company of the people whose life depended on this river. Professor Stahl’s work is on view at the East Asiatic Building.

The exhibitions listed above are part of a wider art festival that’s going on right now and will run until 3 February 2019. The Bangkok Art Biennale is a major confluence of more than 200 beautiful works by 75 leading artists from 34 countries across the globe. The exhibits are on show at 20 different locations scattered throughout the capital city.

“Wat” as we know it refers to a place worthy of worship, one that’s occupied by a community of monks living under the vows of Buddhism. Having been in existence from time immemorial, the site that’s thought of as sacred has performed many crucial roles in society, ranging from schoolhouse and herbal apothecary to kitchen and community center. And the list goes on. Take a good look at it, and you’ll find the holy dwelling place also plays a role as museum, where objects and places of religious reverence are preserved and prominently displayed for people to appreciate. It gives the followers of Buddhism a sense of the path to peace and freedom of the mind using, among other things, beautiful works of art as a s medium of communication.

Three famous temples take part in hosting the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, which is happening now until next February 3. The inaugural festival isn’t centered around just one venue.  Rather, it’s putting more than 200 works of art on display at 20 different venues throughout the capital. Among them are Wat Phra Chetupon (Wat Po), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), and Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn. The three riverside sanctuaries constitute a hub of religious studies and temple art. For over two centuries, the followers of Buddhism have gathered here to discuss the importance of religion to Thai life and express their beliefs through the various forms of art. For BAB 2018, their artistic exhibitions include:

#Faithway (Paths of Faith)
Venue: Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Phra Chetupon (Wat Po)
Artist: Jitsing Somboon 

“Paths of Faith” is a fashion art exhibition by Jitsing Somboon, formerly chief designer at the Thai clothing brand “Playhound”. The artist, who is passionate about deeply interactive forms of art, said in an interview: “It got me wondering. Usually people take off their shoes and carry them in their hands as they enter the interior of the temple. This makes it troublesome as they prostrate on the floor with the shoes still in their hands. It’s conflicting with what they’re trying to achieve. In the end, it gives me an idea to create a collection of white micro polyester overcoats with shoe pockets on either side. The shoe pouches are sewn onto the overcoat just above the knees.” Above, the artist demonstrates how the worrisome problem is solved.

The garment with “Faith” in either Thai, English, or Chinese stenciled on its back is given for people to wear as they participate in solemn ceremonies inside the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It’s an important part of a live installation that’s accompanied by the sounds of coins hitting the inside wall of a donation bowl. The fashion art event is held every day for the duration of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018.

Giant Twins
Venue: In front of Khao Mo, Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn
Artist: Komkrit Tepthian

“Giant Twins” refer to a sculptural installation featuring two buddies from different backgrounds. They come together with a common sense of purpose. One is a sculpture made in the likeness of warrior stone sculptures that were used as ballasts on ancient cargo ships from China, the other a Thai style mythical giant gatekeeper whose duty is to protect against all things evils. The twin sculptures crafted of fiberglass stand 3.20 meters tall. The artist purposely puts a beaming smile on their faces as a gesture of welcome to art lovers. As Komkrit puts it, “I want it to be a piece of storytelling that reflects upon the happy and cordial relations between Thai and Chinese people.”

The artist said: “I want the sculptural installation to communicate the importance of trade and cultural ties between the peoples of Thailand and China. The message is being conveyed in the form of artwork featuring giant twins – one being the likeness of a Chinese warrior stone sculpture, the other bearing some resemblance of the iconic Giant of Wat Arun in full regalia. The work gets its inspiration from an inseparable relationship between twin brothers Eng and Chang (1811-1874), whose names have become synonymous with conjoined twins, a.k.a. Siamese twins.

Giant Twins by Komkrit Tepthian, Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 | Photo courtesy of Media Hub

Besides the Giant Twins, the same venue also plays host to a sculptural Garuda, an eagle-like being that Hindu god Vishnu rides as his mount. Made of interlocking plastic bricks from China, it’s an attraction not to be missed among like-minded friends. For the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Komkrit has created a collection of figurines similar to popular Japanese miniature toys. You are invited to try your hand at one of Gashapon-style capsule machines. There will be plenty of surprises for those looking for their favorite animal-mounted heroes, including some of the rarest mythological symbols.

What Will We Leave Behind?
Venue: Circular Walkway, Main Stupa, Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn
Artist: Nino Sarabutra

An exhibition by Nino Sarabutra has its origin in a question that he raises about life and the purpose of existence. By calling it “What Will We Leave Behind?” the artist sets out to explore spiritual growth and service to humanity. The installation gives a hint that in the end all we are is dust in the wind, and a reminder to do a great service to mankind before we are gone. Nino’s site specific installation consists of 125,000 miniature human skulls made of porcelain. Like a question that requires no answer, the little ceramic sculptures are scattered along the circular walkway of the Main Stupa at Wat Prayurawongsawas. His beliefs and ideals are encapsulated in an E-sarn motto that says: “Death hangs around every step of the way.” He said, “As we wake up each day to find one another, it’s good to know we’re still living. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to set up an exhibition on the walkway around the Main Stupa. There are niches containing cremation ashes nearby. Never have I worked on a site close to death like I do now. This is an installation that reminds us all to do what we want to do, because we never know when our lives will end.”

As Nino puts it, death is a fact of life that no human beings can escape. It’s a question of when, not if. So we need to ask ourselves we are gone, “What will we leave behind?”

Wat Phra Chetupon, Wat Arun, and Wat Prayurawongsawas all have miniature mountain sites known as “Khao Mo”. Each of them is playing host to a site specific installation by Thai artists. Let’s pay them a visit.

Sediments of Migration

Venue: Khao Mo of Wat Phra Chetupon (Wat Po)
Artist: Pannapan Yodmanee

“Sediments of Migration” is a transportable sculptural installation consisting of six miniature mountains, hermit figures in yoga poses, and ballast stones that were used to stabilize the cargo ships of ancient times. It’s inspired by mural paintings found throughout the temple ground of Wat Phra Chetupon.

From the World Inside / Across the Universe

Venue: Khao Mo, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Artist: Sanitas Pradittasnee

Sanitas Pradittasnee creates this site specific installation after having been inspired by the miniature mountains that she finds scattered around the temple ground of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Her work comes in handy as an invitation to search the mind to understand the inner self, so as to become aware of the goings-on in the world outside. The installation consists of acrylic panels in a brighter shade of red that changes hue as time passes, a subtle reminder that nothing is certain in life.

Turtle Religion
Venue: Khao Mo, Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn
Artist: Krit Ngamsom

Turtle Religion is a mixed media installation that seeks to communicate, in a cheerful and happy way, that there’s more to life than just living. Through this exhibition, the artist sends a message that life is about being useful and honorable. The idea is manifested in the way sculptured turtles carry the iconic shrines in Buddhism on their back.

Besides the shows listed above, there are plenty of interesting events on the theme of religion and temple art. The following artists are exhibiting their works in the Riverside Zone of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018:

At Wat Phra Chetupon or Wat Po:

Huang Yong Ping, Jitsing Somboon, Pannapan Yodmanee, Sakarin Krue-on , Tawatchai Puntusawasdi, Phaptawan Suwannakudt

At Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn):

Sanitas Pradidtasnee, Komkrit Tepthian, Sakarin Krue-on

At Wat Prayurawonsawas Woraviharn:

Arnont Nongyao, Kamol Phaosavasdi, Torlarp Larpjaroensook , Krit Ngamsom, Montien Boonma,  Nino Suwannee Sarabutra, Paolo Canevari