FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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The ingenuity of two countries on show

The ingenuity of two countries on show

A selection of creative products by German and Thai designers for everyday use are on show in the exhibition “Invisible Things” which runs until September 15 at the TCDC Centre on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok.

Co-organised by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) and the Goethe-Institut Thailand, the exhibition is curated by Philip Cornwel-Smith, Prof Martin Rendel and Phiboon Amornjiraporn.
“Germany plays an important role in the European Union’s economy and on the global scale with its management and development of infrastructure that improves quality of life. It offers various products that combine creative design with an interesting identity, as well as global product brands that are internationally accepted. This clearly reflects the overall economy of Germany which is continuously growing,” says Apisit Laistrooglai, the managing director of CEA.
Among the products is a round red fake nose as big as a plum tomato. It is a symbol that’s used to bring happiness to German people during the annual Carnival. It represents an exclamation mark and implies that everything that is said and done is meant to be funny. It reflects a country serious about its sense of humour and contradicts the view many countries have of serious Germans.
Birkenstock sandal is a legendary brand hailing from the hinterlands of North Rhine-Westphalia and stands for footwear that combines supreme comfort and a healthy gait. The brand has gained popularity worldwide for more than 245 years due to its selection of quality materials in the manufacturing process, such as durable authentic leather with a soft and comfortable texture, and an adjustable sole which helps to relieve leg and back pain. 
The bus ticket tube is an effective innovation with which Thais become familiar at a very young age. It’s shaken as a signal to passengers to prepare their fares. The tube is multifunctional, as it can fit all kinds of tickets and coins. Its lid can also be used to cut or tear tickets for passengers in order to mark where the passengers get on and off.
Car bumper stickers are also considered low-cost, lucky charms. These stickers bearing the messages like “this is a red car” or “this is a white car” are contradictory to their real colours yet reflects the Thai belief in lucky colours. Besides making people feel safe and lucky, the stickers can save costs because owners do not need to have their car repainted with new auspicious colours according to their horoscope. 
The exhibition also features short movies telling stories about cultural exchange produced by students from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand and from Rheinische Fachhochschule Koln, Germany. 
Admission is free and the exhibition can be visited daily (except Monday) from 10.30am to 9pm at Gallery Room, first floor of TCDC Centre, Grand Postal Building (back section), Bang Rak.
Call (02) 105 7400 extension 213-4 or visit www.Tcdc.or.th.

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