Damrong Wong-upraj’s large portrait greets visitors on the 8th floor (Photo by Veena Thoopkrajae)

 

After another Covid-related shutdown, the BACC opens its doors again to art-hungry enthusiasts

 

Proving that art always has a place in people’s hearts, more than 500 art enthusiasts turned out on June 22 to celebrate the re-opening of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) after a two-month shutdown caused by COVID-19.

 

The warm welcome was a clear signal that public art venues, especially one with generous space and good air-circulation, are still very much wanted even in uncertain times.

 

Closed on April 29 in an attempt to contain the third wave of the coronavirus, BACC is marking its return with 3 art exhibitions including a new fund-raising show at the main gallery on the 9th floor. Sadly, though, more than half the shops in the building remain shuttered, their takings so low during the pandemic that they were unable to survive.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/recovering-a-love-of-art-in-the-new-normal/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-06-24

 

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I have been there many times

 

There are occasionally some interesting exhibits, or a few interesting pieces

 

most, however, are mundane and without any edginess

 

I attribute this to the fact that for most thais, the day to day struggle to make ends meet doesnt allow them the luxury of being upset by the often trivial topics that are portrayed in western contemporary art

 

but more importantly, by the fact that the words contemplative and thai are rarely seen next to each other in a sentence

Always pop in when the Mrs is out and about at the shops. It's a shame Thais on the whole don't appreciate art as much as we do in the west, as there are always some interesting shows on

 

(Thasnai Sethaseree)