Seven in Seven · Day Seven
7 years ago
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Glowing Lights in the Night
I went on an impromptu Chinatown wander tonight, having been at the opening of On The Edge, an exhibition at ARDEL's Hua Lumpong gallery, and leaving with a sense of wanting a little more from my evening. I crossed the canal in front of Hua Lumpong train station and rounded a corner, and immediately was in a different slice of city, one that smelled of spices. I'm not exaggerating; I don't do that (consciously, at least), and I don't like it when travel writers do, make a habit of amping up some particular sensory experience, cutting out details, transposing or conflating them. The air did go from smelling of dirty canal to spices with a few steps. The point is, just a corner away from the trendy galleries and restaurants around the station is a differently-flavoured city, and if you find yourself there one night, a little wander through the streets around China Gate is a good way to end the day. Some photos from tonight:
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Things to do in Bangkok in June
A bit about my thinking behind these things-to-do posts, which is the same as the thinking behind most things I feature on Streets of Bangkok: I try to find events or activities that are convenient and accessible, which means you don't need a car to get to them (pedestrians and public-transport users are people too...) and that they're either free or not too pricey. Occasionally I'll put something expensive in if it's awesome enough, but I try to limit that, partly as I'm tired of reading events listings and thinking 'OOH-oh wait it costs a large fraction of my salary'. Personal taste comes into it as well, which is why you'll see art exhibitions every time but no shoe sales (urban strolling isn't kind to pretty shoes anyway...). I'm always looking for new things and open to suggestions, especially for things that could use a little extra coverage - so if you have/know of an event, drop me a message.
Enough of that, here's some stuff to do in June:
Weather
Monsoon! It's beautiful! Curl up and let the rain sing you to sleep (or the thunder wake you, unless you're a heavy-duty sleeper like me), huddle in a café or just run down the street, jumping in puddles and chasing frogs.
Location: everywhere!
Art
First, an event - First Friday #7 at Attic Studios - this time with a timely 'make art, not war' theme. Bound to be as fun and full of interesting people as ever.
Friday May 7, 7-11 pm, Sukhumvit 31.
And some exhibitions: Thai Puppetry, an exhibition featuring traditional and contemporary Thai puppets.
Thailand Cultural Centre exhibition room, until June 7
Wonderful Thai Friendship at WTF café and gallery, featuring 13 local artists.
ARDEL galleries have several interesting ones, including All About Her by Bussarapong Thongchai (until June 30), in which the artist examines her relation to gender roles in modern Thai society.
History
Not June-specific, but the National Museum Volunteers offer free guided tours of the museum in several languages. There's usually an English-language tour on Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting at 9:30 am. On Wednesday June 16, the tour will be led by yours truly. I've recently completed the guiding workshops and try to balance overviewy stuff for tourists with details that residents might not know. If you haven't been to the National Museum it's well worth it - see you there?
The National Museum faces Sanam Luang and is a 10-minute walk/quick motorbike-taxi ride from Tha Chang express boat pier. Most buses will take you to the area, too.
Volunteering
The Little Light Project, a programme that promotes volunteering at the Bangkok School for the Blind, is holding a day of activities at the school on June 5, 8:30-11:30am. The project, which aims to "use group activities to promote learning and confidence", sounds wonderful and if you're free this Saturday I hope you'll consider going and making a difference.
Sales
To celebrate its 6th anniversary, the nicest second-hand bookshop in town, Dasa Book Cafe, is selling their books at a 20% discount. They also do a fiiine chocolate brownie and have a good selection of teas, so this is highly recommended as a spot of book-buying/brownine therapy for us busy Bangkokians.
Dasa Book Cafe, Sukhumvit (between soi 26 and 28). Daily 10 am to 8 pm until June 10 .
And at the Bull's head, Nancy Chandler's Thailand (they make the awesome candy-coloured maps) is holding its Summer Anniversary Sale, with activities for all ages and up to 50% discounts on Nancy Chandler products.
Sukhumvit soi 33/1, June 5, 11am-5pm.
Out of Town
For several interesting festivals and events country-wide, including the Phi Ta Khon festival (oh oh I so want to go to that festival one day!), check out Talen's nifty event calendar.
Enough of that, here's some stuff to do in June:
Weather
Monsoon! It's beautiful! Curl up and let the rain sing you to sleep (or the thunder wake you, unless you're a heavy-duty sleeper like me), huddle in a café or just run down the street, jumping in puddles and chasing frogs.
Location: everywhere!
Art
First, an event - First Friday #7 at Attic Studios - this time with a timely 'make art, not war' theme. Bound to be as fun and full of interesting people as ever.
Friday May 7, 7-11 pm, Sukhumvit 31.
And some exhibitions: Thai Puppetry, an exhibition featuring traditional and contemporary Thai puppets.
Thailand Cultural Centre exhibition room, until June 7
Wonderful Thai Friendship at WTF café and gallery, featuring 13 local artists.
ARDEL galleries have several interesting ones, including All About Her by Bussarapong Thongchai (until June 30), in which the artist examines her relation to gender roles in modern Thai society.
History
Not June-specific, but the National Museum Volunteers offer free guided tours of the museum in several languages. There's usually an English-language tour on Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting at 9:30 am. On Wednesday June 16, the tour will be led by yours truly. I've recently completed the guiding workshops and try to balance overviewy stuff for tourists with details that residents might not know. If you haven't been to the National Museum it's well worth it - see you there?
The National Museum faces Sanam Luang and is a 10-minute walk/quick motorbike-taxi ride from Tha Chang express boat pier. Most buses will take you to the area, too.
Volunteering
The Little Light Project, a programme that promotes volunteering at the Bangkok School for the Blind, is holding a day of activities at the school on June 5, 8:30-11:30am. The project, which aims to "use group activities to promote learning and confidence", sounds wonderful and if you're free this Saturday I hope you'll consider going and making a difference.
Sales
To celebrate its 6th anniversary, the nicest second-hand bookshop in town, Dasa Book Cafe, is selling their books at a 20% discount. They also do a fiiine chocolate brownie and have a good selection of teas, so this is highly recommended as a spot of book-buying/brownine therapy for us busy Bangkokians.
Dasa Book Cafe, Sukhumvit (between soi 26 and 28). Daily 10 am to 8 pm until June 10 .
And at the Bull's head, Nancy Chandler's Thailand (they make the awesome candy-coloured maps) is holding its Summer Anniversary Sale, with activities for all ages and up to 50% discounts on Nancy Chandler products.
Sukhumvit soi 33/1, June 5, 11am-5pm.
Out of Town
For several interesting festivals and events country-wide, including the Phi Ta Khon festival (oh oh I so want to go to that festival one day!), check out Talen's nifty event calendar.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Things to do in May
Moving from the hot season towards the monsoon is always a relief, and we’re already having some cooler, wetter days. Come rain or dehydrating shine or redshirt road blockades, the city’s always ripe for exploring, and so The Streets of Bangkok has more walking guides coming up – but there’s plenty to do that’s sheltered from the weather, too. Here, a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and events to enjoy.
Festivals
The annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony – the ancient celebration that marks the start of the rice-growing sesaon – is coming up on May 9. Head to Sanam Luang and witness rituals both Brahminical and Buddhist to predict and ensure the abundance of this year’s crops.
I’ve also just discovered (via Catherine of the excellent Women Learing Thai) Talen’s very useful calendar of events throughout Thailand, which features a lot of festivals. Outside of Bangkok this month are Isaan's Rocket Festival and the Chantaburi Fruit Festival, which both sound worth attending for anyone able to travel out of town for a few days.
Art
May has plenty of ongoing and upcoming exhibitions for art lovers (see BAM!). Also a couple of art events:
First Friday #6 at Attic Studios, always worth going to for the atmosphere, art, free demo classes, mingling with friendly arty people, and decent drinks.
Friday May 7, 7-11 pm, Sukhumvit 31.
One-Day Watercolour Workshop with Louise Truslow - I have to mention this one, as my mum is running it, but as she's a successful local artist and a great teacher I can also honestly recommend this for anyone interested in watercolour painting (including beginners). These workshops always go down well with attendees, and it's a nice chance to spend a day at the very pleasant British Club (especially as the workshop fee includes lunch and refreshments!).
Saturday 22 May, 9 am-4 pm, at the British Club, Silom soi 18. B2400 including workshop, lunch and refreshments. Email for more information.
Lectures
This looks interesting for people interested in Southeast Asian art, history, and literature - 'The preamble of the Ramakien', a lecture from the Siam Society 'on the Iconographic comparison between the mural paintings of Cambodia and Thailand by Vittorio Roveda'
Thursday 27 May, 7:30 PM, The Siam Society, Sukhumvit Soi Asoke. B200, free to Members & Student
This month's list feels like rather a small one, but as ever it's not exhaustive - flick through your papers, click around online, talk to people, and go out and do something that catches your eye. This is a good city to be out in... despite the climate (literal or political).
Festivals
The annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony – the ancient celebration that marks the start of the rice-growing sesaon – is coming up on May 9. Head to Sanam Luang and witness rituals both Brahminical and Buddhist to predict and ensure the abundance of this year’s crops.
I’ve also just discovered (via Catherine of the excellent Women Learing Thai) Talen’s very useful calendar of events throughout Thailand, which features a lot of festivals. Outside of Bangkok this month are Isaan's Rocket Festival and the Chantaburi Fruit Festival, which both sound worth attending for anyone able to travel out of town for a few days.
Art
May has plenty of ongoing and upcoming exhibitions for art lovers (see BAM!). Also a couple of art events:
First Friday #6 at Attic Studios, always worth going to for the atmosphere, art, free demo classes, mingling with friendly arty people, and decent drinks.
Friday May 7, 7-11 pm, Sukhumvit 31.
One-Day Watercolour Workshop with Louise Truslow - I have to mention this one, as my mum is running it, but as she's a successful local artist and a great teacher I can also honestly recommend this for anyone interested in watercolour painting (including beginners). These workshops always go down well with attendees, and it's a nice chance to spend a day at the very pleasant British Club (especially as the workshop fee includes lunch and refreshments!).
Saturday 22 May, 9 am-4 pm, at the British Club, Silom soi 18. B2400 including workshop, lunch and refreshments. Email for more information.
Lectures
This looks interesting for people interested in Southeast Asian art, history, and literature - 'The preamble of the Ramakien', a lecture from the Siam Society 'on the Iconographic comparison between the mural paintings of Cambodia and Thailand by Vittorio Roveda'
Thursday 27 May, 7:30 PM, The Siam Society, Sukhumvit Soi Asoke. B200, free to Members & Student
This month's list feels like rather a small one, but as ever it's not exhaustive - flick through your papers, click around online, talk to people, and go out and do something that catches your eye. This is a good city to be out in... despite the climate (literal or political).
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Things to do in April
Thank god it's nearly Songkran. I have never actually experienced the festival in Bangkok, as I usually go to Chiang Mai at this time of year, but conventional wisdom has it that Sanam Luang is the place for cultural festivities, Khao San for kerayzee party times. I don't know if protests are planned for the holiday this year?* It seemed to get pretty nasty last year (going from the news - I was in Pai at the time, where people were wearing red and yellow without a thought for the political implications and everyone was too stoned to pay attention to the news), and I hope Bangkok's streets get a good Songkran in 2010. Have fun and stay safe!
*ETA I've just heard that the festival will mostly be happening on Silom now? Keep an eye on the news...
As for the rest of the month, a few ideas:
Culture
The Museum of Siam has an exhibition on Luk Thung music and the culture surrounding it. Looks like fun, and in keeping with the festive spirit! The Museum of Siam (also called the Discovery Museum) is a slick multimedia edutainment type venture, and a very pleasant place to spend a hot day. Very close to Wat Pho and the Tha Tien express boat pier.
I’m going to be featuring night-time walks and activities here through the hot season, and am really excited by the news (which had passed me by until now) that Wat Pho has extended its opening hours into the night. The old buildings, the forts and temples of Old Bangkok are gorgeous at night, and the chance to explore one of the city's oldest temples sans sun/crowds sounds great. I haven't been able to find much news on this apart from a Bangkok Post feature, but will go check it out as soon as I can.
Theatre
!RIGHT NOW! The Alliance Francaise is hosting a week of Thai and French theatre. It started yesterday and is going on till April 3. An intriguing mix of cultural and stylistic influences.
The Alliance Francaise is on Sathorn Tai, walkable from Lumpini metro station.
Art
There should be a new BAM! out soon for art fanciers, so I may do an art post when I've got my hands on a copy. For now: Unhidden, photography by Police Captain Surat Osathanugrah with a focus on everyday objects. The mundane objects I see when walking or riding songtaews often strike me as having a beauty or strangeness of their own, so this will be an interesting one for me.
On till April 24, at Bangkok University Gallery on Rama IV.
And this Friday (April 2) at Attic Studios is the fifth in their successful monthly 'First Friday' events. Lots of art scene people, but it's not pretentious at all, and with heaps of atmosphere and booze and good art. This month the evening will be featuring work by a young photographer, Coco Anantawat, plus a sculpture session with guest teacher Gavin Fifield. Sometimes they have live music, I don't know about this month.
Starts at 7pm. Attic Studios is at 24/1 Sukhumvit soi 31.
*ETA I've just heard that the festival will mostly be happening on Silom now? Keep an eye on the news...
As for the rest of the month, a few ideas:
Culture
The Museum of Siam has an exhibition on Luk Thung music and the culture surrounding it. Looks like fun, and in keeping with the festive spirit! The Museum of Siam (also called the Discovery Museum) is a slick multimedia edutainment type venture, and a very pleasant place to spend a hot day. Very close to Wat Pho and the Tha Tien express boat pier.
I’m going to be featuring night-time walks and activities here through the hot season, and am really excited by the news (which had passed me by until now) that Wat Pho has extended its opening hours into the night. The old buildings, the forts and temples of Old Bangkok are gorgeous at night, and the chance to explore one of the city's oldest temples sans sun/crowds sounds great. I haven't been able to find much news on this apart from a Bangkok Post feature, but will go check it out as soon as I can.
Theatre
!RIGHT NOW! The Alliance Francaise is hosting a week of Thai and French theatre. It started yesterday and is going on till April 3. An intriguing mix of cultural and stylistic influences.
The Alliance Francaise is on Sathorn Tai, walkable from Lumpini metro station.
Art
There should be a new BAM! out soon for art fanciers, so I may do an art post when I've got my hands on a copy. For now: Unhidden, photography by Police Captain Surat Osathanugrah with a focus on everyday objects. The mundane objects I see when walking or riding songtaews often strike me as having a beauty or strangeness of their own, so this will be an interesting one for me.
On till April 24, at Bangkok University Gallery on Rama IV.
And this Friday (April 2) at Attic Studios is the fifth in their successful monthly 'First Friday' events. Lots of art scene people, but it's not pretentious at all, and with heaps of atmosphere and booze and good art. This month the evening will be featuring work by a young photographer, Coco Anantawat, plus a sculpture session with guest teacher Gavin Fifield. Sometimes they have live music, I don't know about this month.
Starts at 7pm. Attic Studios is at 24/1 Sukhumvit soi 31.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Art Miscellany: Cosmopolitan Edition
There's not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to my choice of art exhibitions/events to recommend here - for something more comprehensive, look for BAM! in cafés etc, or look listings online (I just found the Thai Art Exhibition blog, which is good for country-wide stuff as well as Bangkok) - but here are a smattering of appealing arty things, all walkable from skytrain stations (er, except the last, because that is in New York).
Another Side at La Lanta Fine Art -an "international exhibition of contemporary art that explores visual artists' understanding of the unconscious as it can be expressed by dreams", including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and video installation. I haven't had the chance to see this yet, but it looks good. I love exhibitions where a mix of artists interpret a theme - the links and contrasts always fire up the creative bits in my brain, and this looks especially likely, with dreams as the subject matter.
La Lanta is at 245/14, Sukhumvit 31, close to Phrom Pong skytrain station. Ongoing till April 30.
Ending very soon (why do I always notice these things late, despite being on the lookout for interesting art?) is Trans-Cool TOKYO at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, an exhibition of works from the collection of Tokyo's museum of contemporary art. Looks worth making the time to check out in the next few days. Contemporary Japanese art is always a good time.
On the 9th floor of BACC, right by National Stadium skytrain station. Ends March 28.
And if, by some chance, you're in New York and reading this, there's an exhibition by Pinaree Sanpitak on at Tyler Rollins Fine Art. I was lucky enough to go on an art tour that included a visit to Khun Pinaree at her house, and she is so lovely and down-to-earth and her work so beautiful. It's fantastic that she's being featured in a NY gallery. The exhibition's called Quietly Floating and is on till April 17, and after that is Karma Cash & Carry by Jakkai Sirbutr (April 22-June 5). I saw a lot of the works that will feature in Khun Jakkai's exhibition at H Gallery earlier this month and they are well worth seeing. Again, it makes me so happy to see brilliant new Thai art being shown in New York. I just wish I could go...
Another Side at La Lanta Fine Art -an "international exhibition of contemporary art that explores visual artists' understanding of the unconscious as it can be expressed by dreams", including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and video installation. I haven't had the chance to see this yet, but it looks good. I love exhibitions where a mix of artists interpret a theme - the links and contrasts always fire up the creative bits in my brain, and this looks especially likely, with dreams as the subject matter.
La Lanta is at 245/14, Sukhumvit 31, close to Phrom Pong skytrain station. Ongoing till April 30.
Ending very soon (why do I always notice these things late, despite being on the lookout for interesting art?) is Trans-Cool TOKYO at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, an exhibition of works from the collection of Tokyo's museum of contemporary art. Looks worth making the time to check out in the next few days. Contemporary Japanese art is always a good time.
On the 9th floor of BACC, right by National Stadium skytrain station. Ends March 28.
And if, by some chance, you're in New York and reading this, there's an exhibition by Pinaree Sanpitak on at Tyler Rollins Fine Art. I was lucky enough to go on an art tour that included a visit to Khun Pinaree at her house, and she is so lovely and down-to-earth and her work so beautiful. It's fantastic that she's being featured in a NY gallery. The exhibition's called Quietly Floating and is on till April 17, and after that is Karma Cash & Carry by Jakkai Sirbutr (April 22-June 5). I saw a lot of the works that will feature in Khun Jakkai's exhibition at H Gallery earlier this month and they are well worth seeing. Again, it makes me so happy to see brilliant new Thai art being shown in New York. I just wish I could go...
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Things to do in March
It's March, only the start of the hot season, and already sweltering. Here, then, a selection of goings-on to distract from the heat, most of them air-conditioned.
Theatre
BCT's upcoming production Pinocchio should be wonderful. Interactive fairytale storytelling theatre in the round? Yes please! I'm a BCT member so this is a bit of a plug, but I sincerely recommend this for anyone with kids or the young-at-heart. Show up early at the British Club (Silom soi 18), where there will be a food and drink for sale, plus a bouncy castle and pre-show craft activity.
Tickets are 200 baht and can be bought in the lobby of BNH Hospital on convent road. Show times are 1:30pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 and March 20-21.
Local History
The Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall opens to the public on March 9. This interactive museum will showcase the history of Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok's earliest incarnation. It sounds very high-tech and immersive, and the press pictures are gorgeous - it will be interesting to see how this sleek edutainment compares to the experience of exploring Rattanakosin independently. It will certainly be less sweaty.
The Exhibition Hall also promises monthly events and activities, and a library of rare books about Rattanakosin. There's a Bangkok Post article about it here, worth a read.
Tickets will be 100 baht for the 'promotion period' (though the press release doesn't say how long that lasts) and 200 baht thereafter, 50 baht for kids. It is located next to Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue.
Theatre
BCT's upcoming production Pinocchio should be wonderful. Interactive fairytale storytelling theatre in the round? Yes please! I'm a BCT member so this is a bit of a plug, but I sincerely recommend this for anyone with kids or the young-at-heart. Show up early at the British Club (Silom soi 18), where there will be a food and drink for sale, plus a bouncy castle and pre-show craft activity.
Tickets are 200 baht and can be bought in the lobby of BNH Hospital on convent road. Show times are 1:30pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 and March 20-21.
Local History
The Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall opens to the public on March 9. This interactive museum will showcase the history of Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok's earliest incarnation. It sounds very high-tech and immersive, and the press pictures are gorgeous - it will be interesting to see how this sleek edutainment compares to the experience of exploring Rattanakosin independently. It will certainly be less sweaty.
The Exhibition Hall also promises monthly events and activities, and a library of rare books about Rattanakosin. There's a Bangkok Post article about it here, worth a read.
Tickets will be 100 baht for the 'promotion period' (though the press release doesn't say how long that lasts) and 200 baht thereafter, 50 baht for kids. It is located next to Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue.
Books
The Bangkok International Book Fair runs from March 26 to April 6. There are hundreds of booksellers and books in several languages, publications you wouldn't normally find in Bangkok, and some good discounts. Good for hunting out special interest books, or just browsing. It's at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre (which has its own metro stop), free to the public, open 10am-9pm.
Music
The Bangkok Jazz Festival, a 6-day event featuring artists from everywhere, starting at 6pm.
March 9-14 at Central World Square. Outdoors, but there should be fans and plenty of cold drinks available.
Film
I really wish I'd heard about the Japanese Film Festival earlier - it ends tomorrow. This year's theme is 'emerging Japanese female directors', which is intriguing and exciting. There are two films showing on each day of the festival, and as I'm writing this there are still three more showings - One Million Yen Girl today (at 4pm), and The Mourning Forest and Dear Doctor tomorrow. The screenings are at Siam Paragon and tickets are free, to be collected one hour before the showing.
Art
Most of the exhibitions mentioned in my last post are still going, and I've also spotted an exhibition of surrealist and fantasy art by HSH Princess Marsi Paribatra, in the Hall of Mirrors in Siam Paragon, open 10am-9pm until March 29.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Art spaces and current exhibitions
I've been looking at art in the city today and am full of joy and fire from it, so here are a few of my favourite art spaces along with current exhibitions that I've enjoyed or am planning to check out.
I've chosen things that are a) free (except Eat Me, because that's a restaurant) and b) easy to get to from a skytrain station. There's so much more out there, so if you like art and don't already know about BAM! (Bangkok Art Map), look out for it in galleries and cafés. It's a free monthly guide to what's happening on Bangkok's art scene, with exhibition listings and a map showing where they all are. But here are my picks:
Thavibu - Solid by Pinaree Sanpitak (13 Feb - 31 Mar) and Bangkok Station by Therdkiat Wangwatcharakul (13 Feb - 7 Mar)
These are my two favourite Thai artists and I was so excited to discover they both have exhibitions at the same gallery right now. Pinaree does amazing sculpture and installation work in varied media based on a breast/stupa motif, always elegant and ever-so-slightly strange. Solid features both aluminium and Murano glass sculptures. Therdkiat is known for his oil paintings on aluminium sheets, showing scenes from daily life in Bangkok's streets, the grunge and the transient beauty.
Thavibu is on the 3rd floor of the Silom Galleria Building, 919/1 Silom Rd. I've never been there but it looks easy to get to from Surasak BTS station. Open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tue-Sat; noon - 6 p.m. Sun; closed Monday.
A joint recommendation: H Gallery and Eat Me. H Gallery specialises in contemporary Asian art and often shows work with a deep sense of aesthetics and relevance. Its current exhibition is Thai Contemporary Art, featuring several artists, including Jakkai Siributr, whose textile and mixed media pieces play with spiritualism and materialism and are a bit breathtaking. I'm trying not to gush, but really, if you're in Bangkok go see this. He manages to make art that's fragmentary and cohesive at once. I'm in love.
H Gallery is on Sathorn soi 12 (round the corner from Chong Nonsi BTS station), open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesdays ("Tuesdays by appointment or by chance", the website says).
Eat Me is a a restuarant which also exhibits art and is curated by H Gallery. As a restaurant it's great, has the nicest vegetarian options of any upmarket eatery I've been to, awesome deserts (English breakfast tea-flavoured ice cream!), and a wicked mars bar vodka that sometimes comes out at the end of a meal. Their current exhibition is Transit 7, photography by Glen Wexler, January through April. The photos run around the walls on a continuous backlit strip, and are of the things I wish I could capture - glimpses by roadsides of the passing-by world, quirks of city corners, buildings, rooftops.
Eat Me is in soi Phipat 2, off Convent Rd. (close to Sala Daeng BTS station), open evenings, check website for number to call for reservations.
The Thailand Creative & Design Center, on the top floor of Emporium shopping centre, has an exhibition of Japanese bamboo handicrafts (28 Jan - 25 Apr; 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.). The exhibition includes information on the history and technique of bamboo weaving in the city of Beppu, tables with bamboo strips and instructions so visitors can try their hand at the craft, and stunning examples of basketry. Some of the pieces look more functional than others but all are artistic, and the range of shapes and textures and styles that can be created with just strips of split bamboo is impressive.
I've chosen things that are a) free (except Eat Me, because that's a restaurant) and b) easy to get to from a skytrain station. There's so much more out there, so if you like art and don't already know about BAM! (Bangkok Art Map), look out for it in galleries and cafés. It's a free monthly guide to what's happening on Bangkok's art scene, with exhibition listings and a map showing where they all are. But here are my picks:
Thavibu - Solid by Pinaree Sanpitak (13 Feb - 31 Mar) and Bangkok Station by Therdkiat Wangwatcharakul (13 Feb - 7 Mar)
These are my two favourite Thai artists and I was so excited to discover they both have exhibitions at the same gallery right now. Pinaree does amazing sculpture and installation work in varied media based on a breast/stupa motif, always elegant and ever-so-slightly strange. Solid features both aluminium and Murano glass sculptures. Therdkiat is known for his oil paintings on aluminium sheets, showing scenes from daily life in Bangkok's streets, the grunge and the transient beauty.
Thavibu is on the 3rd floor of the Silom Galleria Building, 919/1 Silom Rd. I've never been there but it looks easy to get to from Surasak BTS station. Open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tue-Sat; noon - 6 p.m. Sun; closed Monday.
A joint recommendation: H Gallery and Eat Me. H Gallery specialises in contemporary Asian art and often shows work with a deep sense of aesthetics and relevance. Its current exhibition is Thai Contemporary Art, featuring several artists, including Jakkai Siributr, whose textile and mixed media pieces play with spiritualism and materialism and are a bit breathtaking. I'm trying not to gush, but really, if you're in Bangkok go see this. He manages to make art that's fragmentary and cohesive at once. I'm in love.
H Gallery is on Sathorn soi 12 (round the corner from Chong Nonsi BTS station), open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesdays ("Tuesdays by appointment or by chance", the website says).
Eat Me is a a restuarant which also exhibits art and is curated by H Gallery. As a restaurant it's great, has the nicest vegetarian options of any upmarket eatery I've been to, awesome deserts (English breakfast tea-flavoured ice cream!), and a wicked mars bar vodka that sometimes comes out at the end of a meal. Their current exhibition is Transit 7, photography by Glen Wexler, January through April. The photos run around the walls on a continuous backlit strip, and are of the things I wish I could capture - glimpses by roadsides of the passing-by world, quirks of city corners, buildings, rooftops.
Eat Me is in soi Phipat 2, off Convent Rd. (close to Sala Daeng BTS station), open evenings, check website for number to call for reservations.
The Thailand Creative & Design Center, on the top floor of Emporium shopping centre, has an exhibition of Japanese bamboo handicrafts (28 Jan - 25 Apr; 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.). The exhibition includes information on the history and technique of bamboo weaving in the city of Beppu, tables with bamboo strips and instructions so visitors can try their hand at the craft, and stunning examples of basketry. Some of the pieces look more functional than others but all are artistic, and the range of shapes and textures and styles that can be created with just strips of split bamboo is impressive.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Good night, Rain Dogs
One year ago:
It's dark and I'm in the Khlong Toei district, wandering over gleaming silver railway tracks, under a flyover, trying not to be hit by the taxis that shoot across this five-way junction. My friend Kevin's theatre collective is putting on a show in a bar called Rain Dogs, and the directions he gave me led to this knot of road and rail and pavement. I hate admitting I'm lost, but eventually I give in and call him up. He directs me to the furthest end of the junction from where I am, down a narrow strip of pavement fenced off from the foot of the flyover, lined with derelict shops, smashed windows, piles of swept rubbish. I must have gone wrong again... no, there's a light ahead, and a leering papier mache giant by a white wall.
The wall says RAIN DOGS. The bar crouches against the flyover, secretive, but it opens up like a friend's house when you step through the gateway. A garden with wooden chairs and tables to sit on, a dance room with wide open sides, ceramic tiled floor, turntables, the bar through another door in a low-lit room with mismatched armchairs and lamps. The actors are still having pre-show drinks/red bull; the night is hot and crackly. In the dance room, a long swathe of red cloth and wooden swings on knotted ropes hang from the ceiling in front of a screen with black-and-white circus imagery projected onto it. The show: Narkok - Burning Down the Big Top - a wordless grotesque movement-filled extravaganza mixing circus magic with the Buddhist conception of hell. The audience are all given white balloons that a cackling ringmaster snatches and bursts; clowns bounce together like blow-up dolls; a man bursts slick out of a barrel and dances on the dangling chains he climbs - later he stalks the crowd breathing fire and licking his gasoline lips. We are shunted from bar to dance room to outside and back in again, and it all ends with a girl in a rolling cage, fire, the baying crowd, the city night tangled and howling all around us. Walking back out at the end of the night, the midnight metropolis felt like an enormous big top itself.
That was my first visit to Rain Dogs. There were many more - an interactive art exhibition, where the artist taught us his craft and a poet insisted on writing verses on the back of every picture I did; screenings of odd films and documentaries; a late night walk on which I got lost until I found that junction and slipped down the side, to sit by the empty dance floor and leaf through a pamphlet of poems someone had left on the table; even regular club nights with DJs and dancing.
Last Saturday:
The place gutted of furniture, turntables atop a crate. Upstairs, on the balcony with friends, looking down on the garden which is more crowded than we've ever seen it. They've all come to wish the place farewell. After problems with neighbours and money the bar has closed. I'm deeply saddened by this - I was looking forwards to doing a post on here telling everyone to visit it. But the leaving party went on all that afternoon and deep into the night; it went out with a great bohemian roar. Here's hoping the people behind one of Bangkok's real gems start something equally wonderful in the future.
I leave you with a clip from Narok:
It's dark and I'm in the Khlong Toei district, wandering over gleaming silver railway tracks, under a flyover, trying not to be hit by the taxis that shoot across this five-way junction. My friend Kevin's theatre collective is putting on a show in a bar called Rain Dogs, and the directions he gave me led to this knot of road and rail and pavement. I hate admitting I'm lost, but eventually I give in and call him up. He directs me to the furthest end of the junction from where I am, down a narrow strip of pavement fenced off from the foot of the flyover, lined with derelict shops, smashed windows, piles of swept rubbish. I must have gone wrong again... no, there's a light ahead, and a leering papier mache giant by a white wall.
The wall says RAIN DOGS. The bar crouches against the flyover, secretive, but it opens up like a friend's house when you step through the gateway. A garden with wooden chairs and tables to sit on, a dance room with wide open sides, ceramic tiled floor, turntables, the bar through another door in a low-lit room with mismatched armchairs and lamps. The actors are still having pre-show drinks/red bull; the night is hot and crackly. In the dance room, a long swathe of red cloth and wooden swings on knotted ropes hang from the ceiling in front of a screen with black-and-white circus imagery projected onto it. The show: Narkok - Burning Down the Big Top - a wordless grotesque movement-filled extravaganza mixing circus magic with the Buddhist conception of hell. The audience are all given white balloons that a cackling ringmaster snatches and bursts; clowns bounce together like blow-up dolls; a man bursts slick out of a barrel and dances on the dangling chains he climbs - later he stalks the crowd breathing fire and licking his gasoline lips. We are shunted from bar to dance room to outside and back in again, and it all ends with a girl in a rolling cage, fire, the baying crowd, the city night tangled and howling all around us. Walking back out at the end of the night, the midnight metropolis felt like an enormous big top itself.
That was my first visit to Rain Dogs. There were many more - an interactive art exhibition, where the artist taught us his craft and a poet insisted on writing verses on the back of every picture I did; screenings of odd films and documentaries; a late night walk on which I got lost until I found that junction and slipped down the side, to sit by the empty dance floor and leaf through a pamphlet of poems someone had left on the table; even regular club nights with DJs and dancing.
Last Saturday:
The place gutted of furniture, turntables atop a crate. Upstairs, on the balcony with friends, looking down on the garden which is more crowded than we've ever seen it. They've all come to wish the place farewell. After problems with neighbours and money the bar has closed. I'm deeply saddened by this - I was looking forwards to doing a post on here telling everyone to visit it. But the leaving party went on all that afternoon and deep into the night; it went out with a great bohemian roar. Here's hoping the people behind one of Bangkok's real gems start something equally wonderful in the future.
I leave you with a clip from Narok:
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Things to do in February
This is a month of red things, with long shining dragons below skytrain stations, Chinese lanterns, love-hearts and strawberries. When I was waiting for a bus to work the other day, the air around the street-market smelled of the usual early-morning grilling chicken and charcoal smoke mingled with velvety perfume from the stalls selling rose bouquets. It's a fun month, with lots going on, but as ever the things that get the big publicity are sales in the giant malls or hotel promotions or big nightclub parties. How to find the cheaper and more interesting diversions? Word of mouth, scouring the internet and boring small-print bits in the Outlook section of the Bangkok Post, or just happening to catch sight of something in the street. I've done a bit of research on likely-looking February happenings, and here present them, in case anyone needs ideas...
Celebrate Chinese New Year
This falls on the 14th of February (a Sunday) this year, and there's bound to be something happening at China Gate in Chinatown on the night. There have been puppet shows and lion dances in past years, and the area is lovely to wander through at dusk, with the lanterns glowing and stalls selling festival treats all along Yaowarat road. Look out for packets of mixed seed and nut brittle and pink and white sugared roasted peanuts.
Getting there: take the metro to Hua Lampong; China Gate is a short walk across the canal and down Thanon Mitaphap Thai-China. This is the symbolic beginning of Chinatown, and the bottom of Yaowarat road.
There are also Chinese cultural shows at Central World on the 6th and 7th (this weekend), from 6 to 8 p.m., showcasing various Chinese performing arts. Nearby is Central Chidlom, which I think has already had its New Year celebrations, but there was a giant lion head sitting in the car park when I went by last night, with red curtains drawn across its maw, which is quite intriguing.
Getting there: both Centrals World and Childom can be reached easily from the Chidlom skytrain station.
Also, Valentine's Day
This year, Chinese New Year is also Valentine's Day. There are all sorts of dinner and hotel promotions all over town, if that's your kind of thing. A lot of nightclubs are also doing Valentine's parties. An alternative is the final night of this year's Concert in the Park series at Lumpini park. These are free open-air concerts by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, usually featuring a mix of classical pieces and showtunes, which run from December to February. It's a nice atmosphere with good music, and you can take a mat to sit on and a picnic (no alcohol in the park, though, unless you're very sneaky). Starts at 5:30.
Getting there: take the skytrain to Sala Daeng or the metro to Lumpini or Silom. I live nearby and so often take the 62 or 67 bus or the 1240 songtaew.
There's also a fun-fair being set up near Central Chidlom. I glimpsed a romantic-looking ferris wheel from the skytrain and tried to find out about it online, but to no avail, so I wandered down there last night and found a sign saying OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 10 FEBRUARY! I'm guessing it's linked to Chinese New Year or Valentine's or both. Looks like fun.
Eat strawberries!
The strawberry season has started. They're grown in Chiang Mai and brought down to Bangkok and we all go mad for them. Expect strawberry-themed specials in restaurants and cafes, and strawberry-sellers in street markets, especially in Old Bangkok and Chinatown.
An assortment of other things worth checking out...
An art exhibition that caught my eye - a photographic interpretation of Thai folktale Khun Chang Khun Phaen by New York artist Bruce Gundersen at the wonderful Patravadi Theatre's gallery. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow the link; Patravadi always has lots of interesting stuff going on.
Getting there: From their website: From Taksin BTS Station, exit at Exit 1 gate
Take Chao Praya Express boat from Taksin pier to Wanglang (Siriraj) Pier
From Wanglang Pier, turn left on Soi Wanglang (the Family Mart is at the corner of Soi Wanglang)
Walk about 600 metres, you will arrive at Patravadi Theatre.
And another - Urban Lines by Mark Schultz, also photography, at Face restaurant. This features retrospective pictures of Bangkok's development. Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., through March 10.
Getting there: 29 Sukhumvit soi 38, near Thonglor skytrain station.
A book fair at the Siam Society with 'books and journals and postcards and t-shirts and more', TODAY (February 6) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I'm not sure if this is mostly books to do with Thai culture and history or a general book sale, but in any case I will probably be there later, feeding my insatiable book habit.
Getting there: 313 Asoke Montri road (Sukhumvit 21), close to Sukhumvit metro station and Asoke skytrain station.
Celebrate Chinese New Year
This falls on the 14th of February (a Sunday) this year, and there's bound to be something happening at China Gate in Chinatown on the night. There have been puppet shows and lion dances in past years, and the area is lovely to wander through at dusk, with the lanterns glowing and stalls selling festival treats all along Yaowarat road. Look out for packets of mixed seed and nut brittle and pink and white sugared roasted peanuts.
Getting there: take the metro to Hua Lampong; China Gate is a short walk across the canal and down Thanon Mitaphap Thai-China. This is the symbolic beginning of Chinatown, and the bottom of Yaowarat road.
There are also Chinese cultural shows at Central World on the 6th and 7th (this weekend), from 6 to 8 p.m., showcasing various Chinese performing arts. Nearby is Central Chidlom, which I think has already had its New Year celebrations, but there was a giant lion head sitting in the car park when I went by last night, with red curtains drawn across its maw, which is quite intriguing.
Getting there: both Centrals World and Childom can be reached easily from the Chidlom skytrain station.
Also, Valentine's Day
This year, Chinese New Year is also Valentine's Day. There are all sorts of dinner and hotel promotions all over town, if that's your kind of thing. A lot of nightclubs are also doing Valentine's parties. An alternative is the final night of this year's Concert in the Park series at Lumpini park. These are free open-air concerts by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, usually featuring a mix of classical pieces and showtunes, which run from December to February. It's a nice atmosphere with good music, and you can take a mat to sit on and a picnic (no alcohol in the park, though, unless you're very sneaky). Starts at 5:30.
Getting there: take the skytrain to Sala Daeng or the metro to Lumpini or Silom. I live nearby and so often take the 62 or 67 bus or the 1240 songtaew.
There's also a fun-fair being set up near Central Chidlom. I glimpsed a romantic-looking ferris wheel from the skytrain and tried to find out about it online, but to no avail, so I wandered down there last night and found a sign saying OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 10 FEBRUARY! I'm guessing it's linked to Chinese New Year or Valentine's or both. Looks like fun.
Eat strawberries!
The strawberry season has started. They're grown in Chiang Mai and brought down to Bangkok and we all go mad for them. Expect strawberry-themed specials in restaurants and cafes, and strawberry-sellers in street markets, especially in Old Bangkok and Chinatown.
An assortment of other things worth checking out...
An art exhibition that caught my eye - a photographic interpretation of Thai folktale Khun Chang Khun Phaen by New York artist Bruce Gundersen at the wonderful Patravadi Theatre's gallery. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow the link; Patravadi always has lots of interesting stuff going on.
Getting there: From their website: From Taksin BTS Station, exit at Exit 1 gate
Take Chao Praya Express boat from Taksin pier to Wanglang (Siriraj) Pier
From Wanglang Pier, turn left on Soi Wanglang (the Family Mart is at the corner of Soi Wanglang)
Walk about 600 metres, you will arrive at Patravadi Theatre.
And another - Urban Lines by Mark Schultz, also photography, at Face restaurant. This features retrospective pictures of Bangkok's development. Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., through March 10.
Getting there: 29 Sukhumvit soi 38, near Thonglor skytrain station.
A book fair at the Siam Society with 'books and journals and postcards and t-shirts and more', TODAY (February 6) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I'm not sure if this is mostly books to do with Thai culture and history or a general book sale, but in any case I will probably be there later, feeding my insatiable book habit.
Getting there: 313 Asoke Montri road (Sukhumvit 21), close to Sukhumvit metro station and Asoke skytrain station.
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