Birthday fun and Burma issues

FROM PAINTINGS portraying politics in Myanmar though screenings of an Oscar-winning short and a drama about child soldiers in Africa to a cool art party with a difference, there’s plenty happening on Bangkok’s contemporary scene this weekend.
Respected artist Myint Swe comes to Thavibu Gallery in Silom Galleria with “Burma: The Quiet Violence”, an exhibition of 30 paintings executed in Yangon between 1995 and 2005 that reflect the artist’s concerns about the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and the discouraging socio-political environment.
Due to their overtly political nature, the paintings were secretly transported to Bangkok where they have been stored for some years. With the environment in Myanmar more conducive to political discussion, Thavibu Gallery has decided to put the paintings on display.
The 58-year-old artist is also flying into Bangkok and will be on hand to meet visitors at the opening party on Saturday at 5pm.
Over on Sukhumvit, WTF Cafe and Gallery on Soi 53 is celebrating its fourth birthday with “What the Festival”, a two-day event that combines cool art, performance, film and music with all the fun of a party.
“We have always attempted to be a place where conversations and free expression can happen through our creative activities,” says the gallery’s public relations department.
“We’ve continued to provide a platform for artists to exhibit creative work and allow thought provoking and critical analysis of current affairs and social issues particularly in this time of conflict. And if pondering conflict gets too stressful, we hope also to be a great place to unwind with our creative cocktails.
The party begins Saturday night at 9 at WTF Bar where DJ Jorge Carlos Smith will spin funk, soul and jazz tunes till late.
At 10pm at Opposite Mess Hall, Bombyx will kick off “What the Festival,” with the rich and varied voices of Bombyx storytellers. The theme is “Epically Curious: (Mis)Adventures in Food and Drink.”
On Sunday, Bacardi joins with WTF Cafe and Gallery, Zudrangma Records and the Opposite Mess hall for a special, one-and-only Bangkok block party. Starting at 4pm, it features screenings of short films, a performance by the Bangkok Paradise Morlam International Band, plus food and drinks by Opposite Mess Hall, Bacardi Rum and Beervana.
Among the shorts is “Helium”, winner of this year’s Academy Award for live-action shorts. Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson tell the story of Alfred, a young boy with a terminal disease. Through the stories about a magical fantasy world called Helium told to him by the hospital's eccentric janitor Enzo, Alfred regain the joy and happiness of his life, and finds a safe haven away from daily life.
The Oscar-nominated “Aquel No Era Yo” (“That Wasn’t Me”) by Spanish director Esteban Crespo will be also screened at the festival. It’s about three aid workers who are stopped at a checkpoint in the African countryside by topped by child soldiers with machine guns demanding to see their papers. This unnerving look at the issue of child soldiers won Spain’s Goya award last year and received political backing from various NGOs.
There’s also “Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?” by Selma Vilhunen, a comedy from Finland about an overwhelmed mother trying to rush her disorganised family out the door for a friend’s wedding.
 WEEKEND
WONDERS
- “Burma: The Quiet Violence” runs through May 24. Find out more at www.Thavibu.com.
- “What the Festival” is on Saturday and Sunday at WTF Cafe and Gallery and Opposite Mess Hall on Sukhumvit Soi 53. Visit www.WTFBangkok.com.