The First 'Thailand Biennale' International Art Festival Set to Be Hosted in Krabi
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could appreciate an international exhibition of contemporary artworks from international artists and enjoy the unparalleled natural beauty and scenery in of Thailand all at the same time?
The “Venice Biennale” remains one of the oldest and greatest international art exhibitions the world has ever seen. Dating back as far as 123 years ago, this contemporary visual art exhibition from Italy is the original biennale on which others in the world have been modeled. It doesn’t focus on just one specific class, but rather celebrates all forms of art including architecture, film, dance, music, and many more.
From November 2, 2018, up until February 28, 2019, Thailand will experience its first-ever international art festival at one of its most popular holiday destinations with “Thailand Biennale Krabi 2018”. Hosted by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) of the Ministry of Culture, his biennial is planned to choose different cities and sites in Thailand for each upcoming editions to push Thai contemporary art scene onto the global stage.
Krabi, one of Thailand’s top tourist attractions, is a province of Thailand located on the west coast of the southern part of the country. The province’s majestic mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, stunning coasts, and hundreds of fertile islands truly makes it a heaven on earth for all visitors from all over the globe. Travelling from Bangkok, you can choose to take the bus (10-12 hours), rent your own car (9-10 hours), or simply hop on the plane (1.5 hours).
What sets this “Biennale Krabi” aside from the usual conventional art museum exhibitions is that it will feature the artworks of over 50 Thai and international artists from 24 countries, such as Aki Inomata, Camille Norment, Fernanda Gomes, Panya Vijinthanasarn, and Jedsada Tangtrakulwong, all of which will be staged outdoors on natural sites in Krabi.
The event will be held under the theme “Edge of the Wonderland” featuring “site-specific” artworks at several sites in Krabi that bears historical, natural, and cultural significance. The list includes Than Bok Khorani National Park, Noppharat Thara Beach, the town of Krabi, Ao Nang Beach, Railay Beach, Koh Poda, Khao Khanab Nam Caves, and Koh Klang.
Stepping away from traditional forms of artwork such as sculptures or paintings, this outdoor exhibition is rather focused on the creativity of each artist and how they can blend the rich local history of Krabi, the surrounding paradisiacal nature, and their own form of artistry all into one installation. This first Thailand Biennale in Krabi provides us with a rare opportunity to experience the meeting between nature and art. Without the physical confinement of a gallery wall or building floors, everyone is in for a cutting-edge creative exploration journey, starting from Edge of the Wonderland, where we will become an integral part of the artworks as well.
Over the course of 4 months, the city of Krabi will be transformed into one of the most exciting international exhibition of contemporary arts in Thailand. There’s still plenty of time to gather your friends and plan an extended trip down south during the end of this year all the way into next year. Not only will you get to witness a global collection of fine artistry, but you’ll also get to see for yourself the richness in nature, hospitality, and history that made Krabi one of the top holiday getaways in the world.