The shape of things to come

Bangkok continues its efforts to become a hub of Asean’s art and crafts by hosting a regional seminar on the subject tomorrow at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Bangna. 

Hosted by the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand, “Craft Trends in Asean 2015” will see a dozen leading architects, designers and artists involved in contemporary arts and crafts in Asean member countries exchanging ideas and experiences as well as looking ahead to future trends.

“As we gear up for the start of the Asean Economic Community at the end of this year, Support Arts wants to create a platform where Asean members can share their ideas and build networking in the region,” explains Pratan Teerathada, director of the Bangkok Design Festival, who was in charge of inviting the guest speakers for the seminar.

Hundreds of designers and craft creators are expected to join the event, which has as its theme “Weaving the Past, Creating the Future” and includes an exhibition of the speakers’ projects and presentations.

There’s a chance to learn about design scene in Brunei from Syen Sofian, the founder of Syensai Design Work, who will share his experiences and explain the consulting services his organisation offers in many interdisciplinary fields such as advertising and graphic design.

Another speaker is Cambodian artist and designer Em Riem, founder of seven-year-old X-Em Design Gallery in Phnom Penh, which exhibits works by both local and international designers. Riem is also the creator paintings, sculptures and furniture that form part of the collections of several museums.

Indonesian graphic designer Tri Anugrah, the head of BD + A Design’s research team on design trends, will talk about her interest in the development of local crafts. She also conducts research for small- and medium-size enterprises in Pulao Jawa and Kalimantan.

Best known for her sophisticated textiles, Veomanee Douangdala from Laos will share her experiences of meeting contemporary demands from a family-run business. In 2000, she founded the Ock Pop Tok shop in Luang Prabang with Joanna Smith in order to spread and share the arts of local textiles and dyeing techniques through the arrangement of cultural activities and events.

Malaysian architect Wen Hsia, who founded WHBC Architects with her husband BC Ang, will talk about her award-winning projects including the Dog Hotel (2012) and Telegraph Pole House (2009). WHBC is recognised for its use of local materials and artisans resulting in the creation of a contemporary architectural language.

Filipinos Antonio “Budji” Layug and Royal Pineda of Budji + Royal Architecture + Design will share their view on design in their native land. Behind the design of many world-renowned furniture pieces and interiors, Budji is also the creative director of Manila Fame. an event focusing on designs and crafts. 

A leading designer in Singapore, Kelley Cheng is an architectural graduate turned Jill-of-all-trades. The founder and editor of Ish, a Singapore-based magazine devoted to art and design, she also runs her own publishing and design consultancy, the Press Room, and designs everything from books, brands, graphics and documentaries to spaces, stage and film set designs. She is also editor-in-chief of Singapore Architect Magazine and has served on the jury for many international design competitions including the Red Dot Awards, Asia Design Awards, Nagoya-Go!, Creative Awards and James Dyson Award.

Vietnamese Pham Huyen Kieu, a member of the Haki Group, has been working in brand development research for 20 years. Specialising in brand strategies, advertising and handicrafts, he organised the British Council event “Cause and Effect” and participated in the 2012 Green Building Brands Conference.

Designer Ulla Kroeber will reveal the less-known design scene in Myanmar. Kroeber is the lead designer of Pomelo design, a Myanmar handicraft centre where various designers have come together to provide a fair-trade market place for Myanmar producers, artisans and designers. Committed to its efforts and ethics, Pomelo has remained a non-profit business and aims to improve craft products by fusing them with a contemporary twist attractive to international customers.

Thailand’s design trend will be represented by Jeremiah Pitakwong, the managing editor of Baan Lae Suan magazine. A key supporter of research into innovative arts trends, he will summarise the ways in which trends in the creative field will turn in the very near future.

 

LEARN MORE

“Craft Trends in Asean” runs from 9.30am to 6pm tomorrow at Bitec in Bangna. Admission is free.

To reserve a seat, visit www.Art4d.com, call (02) 260 2606-8 or e-mail [email protected].