Chiang Rai opens up to the world

14 Sept 02:37 Key points summarised by AI

Chiang Rai will host the Thailand Biennale 2023, featuring 60 artists from 25 countries, running from December 9, 2023, to April 30, 2024, aiming to establish the city as an international art and culture hub.
The festival is a strategic 'soft power' initiative, projected to generate over 8,000 jobs and Bt30 billion in tourism revenue, significantly boosting the local economy.
The biennale's theme, "The Open World," draws inspiration from Chiang Rai's ancient history and a local Buddha image, intending to broaden visitors' perceptions of art by linking local heritage with global contemporary issues.
Renowned international artists like Tobias Rehberger, Ernesto Neto, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul are among the headliners, with a new 1,500 square meter museum being constructed to house exhibits.

Bright at Midnight: Conceptual echoes of Bas Jan Ader Arrive in Bangkok

Today 15:13 Key points summarised by AI

"Bright at Midnight" marks the first institutional exhibition in Asia of Dutch conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader, showcasing his enigmatic work at Bangkok Kunsthalle until January 10, 2027.
The exhibition delves into Ader's legacy, exploring themes of vulnerability and the ephemeral, made more poignant by his 1975 disappearance at sea during an art project.
It encourages viewers to engage with art beyond its material form, featuring key pieces like "Thoughts unsaid, Then forgotten," "Light vulnerable objects threatened by eight cement bricks," and the haunting film "Launch of the Ocean Wave."
A highlight is the planned live transformation of "Light vulnerable objects threatened by eight cement bricks" in 2026, where ropes will be cut, creating a new layer of art from the destructive impact.
The exhibition challenges conventional art consumption, advocating for a deeper appreciation of conceptual and research-driven artistic practices over mere fascination with art as an asset class.