Bangkok Art Biennale promises bigger feast in second edition
Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 (BAB20) is set to give Thailand's art scene a shot in the arm with a line-up of 82 world-renowned artists, and over 200 artworks on display at nine landmarks in the heart of the capital.
The artists hailing from 35 countries in five continents are expected to elevate and energise the Thai art scene with their artworks under the theme “Escape Routes”.
Among the artists are: Marina Abramović, Irwan Ahmett and Tita Salina, Ai Weiwei, John Akomfrah, Rushdi Anwar, Elina Brotherus, Maisie Cousins, Leandro Erlich, Ho Rui An, Christian Jankowski, Anish Kapoor, Yuree Kensaku, Khvay Samnang, Ga Ram Kim, Dinh Q. Lê, Lu Yang, Yoko Ono, Nipan Oranniwesna, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Michael Shaowanasai, Melati Suryodarrmo, Yuken Teruya, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and Bill Viola.
The artworks will be exhibited across nine venues in the heart of Bangkok: at The Parq, BAB Box, The Prelude One Bangkok (from October 12 to January 31), at three historic temples -- Wat Pho (commonly known as Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, and Wat Prayoon -- as well as Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Museum Siam and LHONG 1919 (from October 29 until January 31).
BAB 2020 is spearheaded by Thai Beverage Pcl, in collaboration with the government and the private sector, including Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, One Bangkok, Siam Cement Group Public Co Ltd, Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd, South East Insurance Pcl, PM Center Co Ltd, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Amarin TV 34, GMM Channel Co Ltd, and embassies in Thailand as main sponsors and allied partners.
Prof Apinan Poshyananda, chief executive and artistic director of BAB20, said: “Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 has become an art event of global significance, which transforms Bangkok into a connecting hub for art and culture, thanks to the success of the festival’s first edition in 2018. This year, we have 82 artists, even more than the previous edition, which will help liven up both the tourism and the art scene with over 200 world-class artworks under the theme of “Escape Routes” at nine notable locations in the heart of Bangkok. These include temples, pathways along the Chao Phraya River, and communities of long history, all of which are Thailand’s invaluable cultural heritage sites and considered the tourism epicentre of Bangkok."
