Follow the bouncing art
The subway fortunately connects two intriguing shows opening on Thursday evening
Artists explore the political crisis and transformative faith in two separate Bangkok exhibitions opening at the same time – this Thursday at 6pm. That ought to turn a few more art aficionados into fans of the subway as well.
New commercial-art gallery 338 Oida on Rama IV Road is hosting “Trans-Structurity”, a set of installations by established Chiang Mai artist Thasnai Sethaseree.
“Fear isn’t permanent,” he declares in the show’s printed notes, “but a figment of the imagination comprised of social, political and ideological conditions in crisis.”
The political malaise has made fear part of daily life, Thasnai says, and yet it’s not always noticeable “because it stays too close to people.
“Moreover, the fear becomes a form of culture, where an individual surrenders to the culture of fear. Thus fear is considered another type of political discourse and has no essence in itself.”
Thasnai explores the different forms of fear in the modern world and suggests alternative perspectives and choices.
At the Chulalongkorn University Art Centre, filmmaker Jakrawal Nilthamrong and four other young artists are presenting “In Transit”, an exhibition of photos and video installations.
Siwakorn Tesabumrung ignores the rapid pace of modernity to draw attention to how long it takes for photographic film to be processed. Nasree Labaideeman watches as an artwork is moved from an exhibition space to the social networks.
Focusing on objects that are both visible and invisible at the same time, Eakarpon Settasuk uses a video camera to record and respond to mysterious beliefs found around Kao Kala (Kala Mountain) and Kaensan Rattanasomrerk shows how faith can change any object.
TAKE THE RIDE
“Trans-Structurity” continues until August 31 at the 338 Oida Gallery at 1028/5 Pongamorn Building, fourth floor, Rama IV Road. It’s close to the MRT Lumpini station’s Exit 1. www.OidaArtBangkok.com
“In Transit” continues through July 17 at the Art Centre on the seventh floor of Chulalongkorn University’s Centre for Academic Resources on Phayathai Road – a 10-minute walk from the MRT’s Samyan station. Visit www.CAR.Chula.ac.th.
