Culture Up: Bangkok art guide for July 15 – 20

Not long ago, Bangkok’s art, theater and music scene could be summarized easily as “not much.” Today galleries spring up in unexpected corners, troupes stage homegrown performance art and smoky venues discover their own original sounds. There’s now heavy competition for your hard-won leisure time, and our own coverage of what’s happening around town continues to expand.

Enter: “Culture Up!” our weekly guide to what’s happening each day of the week around Bangkok. Check it out every Monday at Coconuts Bangkok.

Here’s what’s going on this week, July 15 – July 20.

 

Ending Soon:

Cinema Diverse: Director’s Choice 

We tend to be in a hurry to grow up until it happens and then mash the brakes futilely until we die.

Fanda, a terminally ill prankster who refuses to grow up and face responsibility, has always understood this. The central character of 2001’s bittersweet comedy “Autumn Spring,” he ignores his family’s pleas to take life – and death – seriously, and instead spends his days seeking adventure.

Ends Saturday

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World Watermedia Exposition

Like visual Prozac, nothing beats watercolor paintings to soothe our torrent of barely concealed rage and anxiety.

Works by 116 watercolor artists from 33 countries around the world are showing at the World Watermedia Exposition at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center. Nearly 300 works will be shown on two floors of the art center.

Ends Sunday

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Ongoing:

The 7th Bangkok Music Forum: Film Score

The Bangkok Music Forum is back for the seventh time, and this year it features acclaimed Thai film score composer Chatchai Pongprapaphan.

Ends July 26

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Art Talk 2014: Relational Aesthetics

It’s a simple aesthetic of form, lines and topography that feeds people around the world.

Sakarin Krue-onm, an artist inspired by the traditional agricultural culture  of rice farming, will launch a new series of art talks at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Ends July 26

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I Miss You Already

A provocative photographer bares his soul and everything else in an expressive collection of self portraits.

A Shanghai-to-New York transplant, Shen Wei has exhibited in those cities as well as Philadelphia, Moscow and Shanghai. His solo exhibition “I Miss You Already” will demonstrate the artists’ openness and emotional release achieved through self-portraiture.

Ends July 27

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Happy Blue

The colorful whimsy and gonzo typography of designer and illustrator Jackkrit Anantakul is coming to Goja Gallery Cafe. Jackkrit’s solo exhibition “Happy Blue” will feature his signature style of colorful wackiness, humorous illustrations and experimental typography.

Ends July 27

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Take Off Festival Thailand 2014 

Five productions from five recent theater grads will launch at the Take Off Festival next week.

Expect the sincerest experimental and post-modern productions from this new generation of theater grads.

Ends July 27

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Swallow…The Love

What is love? If we get a taste of it, what should we do with it next?

Chayanich Muangthai seems to have an answer to this timeless question at her exhibition “Swallow…The Love”. Affection and passion are portrayed through her printmaking process to which the artist adds her strong feelings and emotions.

Ends July 27

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Trace of Dream

Explore the spiritual link among the Tibetan diaspora for tolerance and compassion as expressed through the multi-exposure techniques of artist Bhanuwat Jittivuthikran.

Ends July 27

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Mixology

Check out what an international crew of artists can come up with when they’re given a chance to chill out and create.

A little bit of everything by 10 artists from Thailand, France and elsewhere will show at Namthong Gallery as part of the annual French-Thai affair of La Fête.

Ends July 28

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Illusion of Human Body

How many days can you go without makeup?

A critique of the media influences driving our obsession with appearances, artist Sakon Taoklan gives his brush-stroked take at “Illusion of Human Body.”

Ends July 28

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Ungrateful Records

Inspired by the loss of his mother, cartoonist and Dudesweet founder Pongsuang “Note” Kunprasop will show a collection of his whimsical paintings. Ungrateful Records is a solo exhibition to feature the artist’s accumulated nostalgia transformed into album covers.

Ends July 30

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House RCA’s 10 Year Anniversary Festival

To celebrate its anniversary, House RCA next month will look back at some of the best indie hits such as Love of Siam, Last Life in the Universe and Blue is the Warmest Color, as well as sneak previews of upcoming films such as Boyhood. Other secret, surprise screenings await moviegoers.

Ends July 30

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Alexis Dubois Solo Show

What do you get when you blend psychology and Buddhism together in art? The answer: Alexis Dubois.

A French artist that began his career spraying walls on the street, Dubois’ process is described as channeling a “raw and untamed energy” to create his colorful works.

They’ll be on display at the “Alexis Dubois Solo Show” July 5 at the Soy Sauce Factory art space.

Ends July 30 

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3P: People: Politics: Power

To mark the occasion of the Siamese Revolution’s 82nd anniversary, artist Chumpol Kamwanna is displaying 82 politicians’ portraits at his solo exhibition “3P: People: Politics: Power.”

Ends July 31

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Turkish Delight Photography Exhibition 

Six photography professors from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang will relive their well-captured memories from a 10-day journey in Turkey at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Obviously stricken by its famous dessert, the professors’ exhibition, “Turkish Delight,” promises to highlight the beauty of Turkey’s human culture and natural splendor through 50 selected photographs.

Ends August 3

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SO FAR SO GOOD 2

See what Silpakorn sculptors have given shape to later this month at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Ends August 3

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Out of Sight

Thirteen artists pose philosophical questions through mixed-media creations to, as a group, share their individual perspectives at Out of Sight.

Ends August 14

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Hof Art Now

Hof Art is back for its ninth anniversary to show off its new art space at W District. Works from over 100 artists including Vasan Sitthiket, Sakwut Wisesmanee, Jitsing Somboon and Jarut Wongkumjantra will be showcased as a part of the celebration.

Ends August 27

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Hope

Following exhibitions in New York and throughout Asia, figurative painter Henri Lamy will show iconic and spiritual disguise of Thailand through his solo exhibition Hope. Influenced by Jackson Pollock’s drip painting technique, Lamy says he loves splashing colors from the pallet knife straight onto canvas.

Ends August 30 

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Conversations: The Vivid Real

Beautiful things can be made when we work together.

Conversations: The Vivid Real is the third time painting pair Panya Vijinthanasarn of Bangkok and Andrew Stahl of London have collaborated on an exhibition.

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#IMWTK

Hashtags have emerged as a way to make sense of our torrent of information. Anything that tries to make sense of meaning is bound to get the attention of artists and end up on exhibition.

Therefore, #IMWTK. Shorthand for “Inquiring Minds Want To Know,” this hashtag is often used online to signify deep questions and general curiosity.

Ends August 31

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Here are my teeth: Black with stars

Ever thought of painting your nipple, having a close-up photograph taken of it, then displaying it in an exhibition?

Too late – Elizabeth Preger has been there, done that.

Ends August 31

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Tik Shiro’s DNA

 

Manasawin Nantasen, aka “Tik Shiro,” will showcase his latest sculptures and paintings next month.

Get this: Several of his paintings include his hair in an attempt to represent his DNA.

Ends September 14

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