21 | Nonhuman Ethnography by Samak Kosem
Venue: O.P. Place
An artist and researcher expert in ASEAN Studies, Samak Kosem is known for his interest in the roles of ethnic minorities and religions in politics. He is knowledgeable about ethnic groups along the Thai-Myanmar border and the Muslim minority in the south of the country. For the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Samak presents “Nonhuman Ethnography”, a photographic exhibition on objects and animals that coexist as part of human society and culture. Among the exhibits, Sheep (2017), and Waves (2018) are about using art and knowledge in human science in examining the roles of nonhuman elements that contribute to successful coexistence among human beings. The exhibition features photographs, illustrations, objects, and field notes that Samak wrote in Malay.
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22 | Dragon Boat by Huang Yong Ping
Venue: BOT Learning Center
Dragon Boat is an installation created by Chinese avant-garde artist Huang Yong Ping, founder of the Xiamen Dada art movement. Standing 4.2 meters tall, the sculptural work that measures 16 by 4.2 meters depicts a journey by the people who migrated from China’s Fuxian region to settle in Thailand more than a century ago. Huang is passionate about the art of storytelling. Huang is originally from Xiamen, a port city in China’s southeast. He now lives and works in France. One of his masterpieces, Dragon Boat, is currently on show at the Bank of Thailand Learning Center.
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23 | Memory House by Alex Face, Souled Out Studios (SOS)
Venue: BOT Learning Center
Thailand’s well-known graffiti artist Alex Face is a member of the street art troupe SOS, which is short for “Souled Out Studios”. The group includes, among other things, visual artists, videographers, and ceramic sculptors who explore questions about the end of life. Alex participates in the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 by presenting little Mardi, a three-eyed baby character with an aged face filled with disillusions. The sculptural installation shows the baby’s eyes opened wide in shock and rabbit ears crashing through the roof. Is he trying to call attention to a worrisome problem that’s happening to the Chao Phraya River? It’s left to your interpretation.
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24 | Paths of Faith by Jitsing Somboon
Venue: Wat Phra Chetupon or Wat Pho
Formerly chief designer at the Thai clothing brand “Playhound”, Jitsing Somboon is passionate about marrying art with fashion design. “Paths of Faith”, his entry into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, is a collection of white overcoats with “Faith” in Thai, English, and Chinese embroidered on their back. The items are given for people to wear over other clothing as they enter an area dedicated to a religious purpose at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The clothing item is part of a live installation art that’s happening with the accompaniment of sacred music and the sounds of coins hitting the inside wall of the donation bowl.
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25 | Sediments of Migration by Pannapan Yodmanee
Venue: Khao Mo at Wat Phra Chetupon or Wat Pho
“Sediment of Migration” is a transportable installation by Pannapan Yodmanee, one of the few Thai artists to ever win the 11th Benesse Prize. The sculptural composition that’s her entry into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 consists of six miniature mountains, hermit figures in yoga poses, and ballast stones taken from ancient cargo ships. Inspired by the mural paintings found throughout the temple, the exhibition is a chronicle of historical accounts of migration, trade, and religious travels between China and the Kingdom of Siam of olden days.
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26 | From the World Inside / Across the Universe by Sanitas Pradittasnee
Venue: Khao Mo at Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn
“From the World Inside / Across the Universe” is a site specific installation entered into the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 by Sanitas Pradittasnee. The artist got her inspiration from miniature mountain landscapes that she saw at Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. Her new work comes in handy as an invitation to search the mind to understand the inner self, so as to become knowledgeably aware of the goings-on in the world outside. It sends a message that's in line with "Loka-witu", one of nine rules in Buddhism. The installation consists of acrylic panels painted a bright shade of red that changes hue as time passes, a reminder that things change, people change, feelings change.
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27 | Giant Twins by Komkrit Tepthian
Venue: In Front of Khao Mo, Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn
Thai contemporary artist Komkrit Tepthian is well known for creating beautiful works using Lego blocks. His past works included the reconstruction of Buddha statutes that had been decapitated and the heads smuggled out of the country and sold as ornaments on the black market. His entry into the 2018 Bangkok Art Biennale is “Giant Twins”, an installation featuring conjoined twin brothers — a Chinese warrior stone sculpture and the likeness of the iconic Giant of Wat Arun in full regalia.
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28 | Turtle Religion by Krit Ngamsom
Venue: Khao Mo, Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn
Krit Ngamsom likes to mix his childhood experiences with the sense of humor that has come to characterize good-natured people in the provinces. His ability to turn ordinary materials into amazing works of art arouses the admiration of many art lovers. For the 2018 Bangkok Art Biennale, the Thai contemporary artist presents “Turtle Religion”, a mixed media installation that seeks to communicate, in a cheerful and happy way, that there’s more to life than just living. Rather, it’s about being useful and honorable. Such is manifested in the sculptured turtles that carry the iconic Buddhist shrines on their back. The thought-provoking exhibition is on view in the Khao Mo zone of Wat Prayurawongsawas.
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29 |What will we leave behind? by Nino Sarabutra
Venue: Circular Walkway, Main Stupa, Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn
Is it a question? Or an art exhibition? It’s both. Right now, at this moment, the ambulatory around the Main Stupa of Prayurawongsawas is playing host to a gripping exhibition by Nino Sarabutra. The artist’s entry into the 2018 Bangkok Art Biennale is a site specific installation consisting of 125,000 ceramic pieces that look like a pile of miniature human skulls. They fill up the circular walkway around the sacred hemispherical structure that’s the temple’s main attraction. It begs the question about life and the purpose of existence. Precisely, what if today is our last? What will we leave behind after we’re gone?
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30 | Zodiac Houses by Montien Boonma
Venue: Buddhist Studies Hall, Wat Prayurawongsawas Woraviharn
Prof. Montien Boonma (1953-2000) is revered by art aficionados for his roles in pioneering the contemporary art movement in Thailand. One of his masterpieces, Zodiac House (Das Haus de Sternzeichen) is currently on view at the Buddhist Studies Hall, Wat Prayurawongsawas for the duration of the 2018 Bangkok Art Biennale. The installation consists of six metal sculptures, the top half of which being made to look like the iconic dome of Catholic churches. Conceived while he was in Stuttgart, Germany, the thought-provoking exhibition calls attention to questions about peace, rebirth, and the afterlife.
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The above mentioned is just a small part of more than 200 amazing works of art being exhibited at various locations throughout the capital. That’s right. The art world is always open and waiting to be discovered. For memorable art experiences, download the HD map and the list of 75 participating artists below before you leave.
The 2018 Bangkok Art Biennale is happening right now and will run until February 3, 2019. Check it out!
