FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Snoopy gets to hang out

Snoopy gets to hang out

The much-loved characters from the Peanuts comic strip come to Bangkok in different art forms

CHARLES M Schulz’s much-loved characters Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and other friends are enjoying life in Bangkok this weekend as part of the Peanuts Global Artist Collective exhibition showing at Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery until Tuesday. 

Snoopy gets to hang out

The Fashion Gallery of Siam Paragon is almost unrecognisable having morphed into Snoopy’s Red Dog House. Inside, fans can experience a new adventure with their favourite characters through a wide range of striking artworks and interactive games. Among the fun activities are the Balloon Catcher game, a photo booth, tattoo corner, painting workshop and the Peanuts Global Artist Collective pop-up store, boasting exclusive designed tote bags, stationery and lifestyle products.   
Launched last year, this collective project features seven internationally-acclaimed contemporary artists, namely Tomokazu Matsuyama, Rob Pruitt, Nina Chanel Abney, Kenny Scharf, Friendwithyou, Andre’ Saraiva x Mr A and AVASeven. After travelling to London, Berlin, Paris, Mexico, Tokyo, San Paolo and around the US, this is its first showcase in Southeast Asia and after its Bangkok stop will continue to Seoul.
“The Peanuts or Snoopy family is well known all over the world. It’s a good chance for us to bring our work to the public. All the artists have their own stories attached to Peanuts and we are delighted to be able to share them,” artist Matsuyama says. 
“I have created 10 to 13 artworks for this project and drew from what I saw at the Peanuts museum in Santa Roca, America. The staff there was great: anything we wanted, they would give us. It’s home to the entire history of the original comic strips. We want everybody to enjoy the different eras.”

Snoopy gets to hang out

His works can be seen in the walkway that connects Siam Center with Siam Discovery and include an adorable Snoopy suspended from the ceiling, while the floor and walls are painted all the colours of the rainbow. He also introduces a painting that depicts Peanuts drawing Woodstock in abstract Japanese style.
“I’ve worked with many brands and companies in creating several products. But the challenge is to keep the uniqueness of each character and original drawings while putting my own style into the work,” he says, 
Matsuyama was a former professional snowboarder who turned to art when he was injured at the age of 22. No longer able to take part in sports, he headed to New York in 2000 and made a name for himself as an artist. 
 “I started from street art. The graffiti artists mostly come up with their own names on the streets but my name is Japanese, which made it hard for people to understand. I created my visual vocabulary instead.
“Today, my works are displayed in many countries. My masterpiece is a seven-metre-tall steel sculpture created in Hong Kong that’s now on show in Melbourne, Australia.”
Until June 30, Siam Center is hosting a playground on its ground floor. Featuring Peanuts and his friends in different actions created by AVAF, the Flasma Interactive Floor Piano allows you to rearrange your own music, with your favourite characters popping out when you step along with the tunes. 
Alongside, the thrilling Skateboard interactive game invites you to explore outer space with the Peanuts characters adapted from Kenny Scharf’s artworks. Rob Pruitt has built the Bamboo Forest, where Snoopy lives happily with pandas, while the life-like figures of Peanuts and Woodstock created by FriendWithYou and Nina Chanel Abney stand at the entrance to welcome customers.
 

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