BANGKOK ART BIENNALE 2024
24 October 2024 - 25 February 2025
Returning for its fourth edition the Bangkok Art Biennale, organised in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), The Fine Arts Department (FAD), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) and One Bangkok, with the support of other private and public sectors, is delighted to announce 31 additional international artists and two more venues for the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB), titled Nurture Gaia. The expansion of artists and venues further enriches the city-wide event and continues to spotlight Southeast Asia’s vibrant art scene while also bringing diverse international perspectives to the continent. The various Biennale-host locations include ancient heritage sites such as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Temple of Dawn, the Museum Siam, art galleries, and more. The Bangkok Art Biennale showcases 76 leading artists from 39 countries across 11 venues.
Sister (Farfalla), 2023
Photo by Camilla Maria Santini
Courtesy the Artist and SpazioA, Pistoia
The Bangkok Art Biennale 2024 features a constellation of artworks, many of which are on display for the first time, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations from established and emerging artists and collectives. The additional 31 participating artists include: Busui Ajaw (Thailand), Bruce Asbestos (UK), Lena Bui (Vietnam), Kanya Charoensupkul (Thailand), Viriya Chotpanyavisut (Thailand), Daniela Comani (Italy), Tony Cragg (UK), Rob Crosse (UK), Lello Esposito (Italy), Gimhongsok (South Korea), Agi Haines (UK), Mella Jaarsma (The Netherlands / Indonesia), George K. (India), Anish Kapoor (UK), Chitti Kasemkitvatana (Thailand), Cole Lu (Taiwan), Maria Madeira (Timor-Leste), Zul Mahmod (Singapore), Nakrob Moonmanas (Thailand), Sophirat Muangkum (Thailand), Mutmee Pimdao Panichsamai (Thailand), Deneth Piumakshi Veda Arachchige (Sri Lanka), Moe Satt (Myanmar), Thavika Savangwongsakul (Thailand), Latai Taumoepeau (Australia), Komkrit Tepthian (Thailand), Tian Xiaolei (China), Aleksandar Timotic (Serbia), Jasmine Togo-Brisby (Australia), Wang Xiyao (China), and Pokchat Worasub (Thailand).
Alter Terrestrial. In collaboration with Nicholas Tamás
Image courtesy of MU Hybrid Art House.
Photo by Hanneke Wetzer
Programme highlights include a variety of artworks, such as performance and costume installation by Mella Jaarsma (The Netherlands / Indonesia), that explores the urgency of disappearing knowledge and the tension between contemporary art and tradition; Pokchat Worasub (Thailand) explores ethnic identity and marginality through photography; Agi Haines (UK) offers a provocative glimpse into the future of human adaptation, exploring the profound implications of potential body modifications designed to tackle emerging challenges; Adel Abdessemed (Algeria / France) showcases a large-scale installation exploring the interconnectedness of mother and child; Mutmee Pimdao Panichsamai (Thailand) creates a new video work exploring the human mind and society using movement, lighting, and theatricality; Gimhongsok (South Korea) presents a new body of work, that consists of sculptural installations addressing the subject of labour conditions; Furthermore, major sculptures by renowned artists Anish Kapoor (UK) and Tony Cragg (UK) are displayed at One Bangkok as a part of Bangkok Art Biennale 2024, and where they will remain permanently.
BANGKOK ART BIENNALE 2024 THEME: NURTURE GAIA
In Greek mythology, Gaia is a goddess who offers life and nourishment. She has evolved in many forms and is revered as a mother, nurturer and giver of life. References to her have been found in temples, shrines, statues and paintings. In prehistoric times, she was worshipped as the feminine earth mother related to fertility and agriculture; in Hinduism, she is the earth as a living organism symbolised as mother earth Prithvi; in Southeast Asia, she takes on the form of Phra Mae Thorani found frequently in Buddhist scriptures and temples.
Gaia hypothesis, which proposed that the earth is a living being that sustains life, has received much attention. With climate change, pandemics, war and the destruction of the environment caused by Homo sapiens, there is critical awareness that humanity as an integral part of Earth, can no longer survive. When nature is defiled, people and animals ultimately suffer.
Scientists, environmentalists, sages and artists, including Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, James Lovestock, Bruno Latour, Jayasaro Bhikkhu and Sulak Sivalaksa, have discussed Gaia in the context of the earth as a living organism. Due to the lack of respect humans have for Gaia, the damage done to rainforests and the reduction of planetary biodiversity resulted in global catastrophe.
The World Meteorological Organization announced the hottest summer months measured in Europe. In September 2023, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres put the blame squarely on humans. “Scientists have long warned what our fossil addiction will unleash,” he said. “Our planet is imploding faster than we can cope with extreme weather events hitting every corner of our planet.” He added, “Surging temperatures demand a surge in action. Leaders must turn up the heat now for climate solutions.”1
Antonio Guterres, UN climate conference Geneva, published by World Meteorological Organization, 6th September 2023
ABOUT BANGKOK ART BIENNALE - BAB
Bangkok Art Biennale, set in the capital city of Thailand, was founded in 2017 with the mission to transform the bustling city of Bangkok into Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary art destination. Taking over public spaces around the city including temples and heritage sites over the course of four months, the biennale highlights the city’s charm by bridging Rattanakosin cultural heritage with Bangkok urbanism.
As a freely accessible platform, the past three biennales attracted over three and a half million visitors. More than 300 artists from Asia, Europe, America, Oceania and Africa participated. During the pandemic, the Biennale also launched BAB Virtual Venue, an online platform which has garnered over 2.3 million viewers from around the world. The theme of each biennale, Beyond Bliss, Escape Routes, CHAOS : CALM, evolved around the events of the world, and calls attention to relevant socio-political and environmental issues on a global scale, and seeks to question through art, what it means to be contemporary. BAB’s activities comprises a rich programme of public events, including educational conferences and symposiums, artist talks, hands-on workshops, guided visits, publications, and online programs for audiences to gain a richer understanding and appreciation of the arts.
As part of the BAB educational program, BAB established a BAB Academy project, which aims to build a stronger appreciation and understanding of the arts in the community and to provide an opportunity for art lovers and art professionals to enhance their studies and experience.
Furthermore, every edition, BAB hosts a Dek BAB program, which gives opportunities for students and people interested in art to work at the major biennale with renowned Thai and international artists as artist crews, liaisons, docents and art guides. Curators and art gurus organize the workshops and training activities to help bridge artists and spectators.
The Founder and Chairman of Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation is Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi.
Founder and Chairman of Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation
Image courtesy of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited
Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi was born in 1975 in Bangkok and studied Financial Economics at Boston University, USA. He is the CEO and President of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, and is the Executive Director of Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited, and is board member at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Foundation. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Management from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
About Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev)
Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (‘ThaiBev,’ and together with its subsidiaries, the ‘Group’) is a leading beverage company in Southeast Asia and the largest in Thailand. The Group's vision is to be a world-class beverage company embodying commercial excellence, continuous product development and premiumization, as well as professionalism. ThaiBev's business consists of four segments – spirits, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and food. ThaiBev has been the major supporter of Bangkok Art Biennale since 2018, and the company’s commitment to artistic innovation has transformed the Bangkok Art Biennale into a prominent platform for Thai and international artists and creators.
BANGKOK ART BIENNALE
