People Of The Hills

[gerry1011]

As some of you in Chiangrai know, Insii Thai House and the Rotary Club of Maechan innitiated a hill tribe ceramic project over two years ago.

One of the students who took part in this project, Lahu student Winai Chaso, will make his first "solo" sculpture exhibition next December 13th.

The exhibition will take place at Insii Thai House and the benefit of the sales will be shared in two; half for for Winai and half for the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation.

Some examples of his creations can be seen here"

The exhibition is by invitation only, feel free to send a private message if you would like to attend and encourage Winai.

[gerry1011]

And a few pictures of the party...

More can be seen here

[Limbo]

Thanks Gerry, it was a great event.

In just a few years time Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz has, in a very creative and professional way, been able to develop the most innovating and active social-cultural institution in the Province Chiang Rai, which already at this early stage has gained national and to a certain degree even international fame.

This within a community where everybody was convinced that it couldn't be done. A community where everybody got used to the idea that a few established and self-appointed 'cultural popes' are holding development and progress hostage by cultivating a semi-feudal situation that serves them personally well, while at the same time neglecting society. As long as nothing happens, nobody can complain, or a similar philosophy must be theirs.

It's great that the private initiative is taking over where the traditional authorities are getting more and more out of touch with new developments and thereby with reality.

An initiative like this opens new perspectives for a sound cultural life in Chiang Rai.

It opens perspectives and gives hope to the surprisingly big and respectable artist community of Chiang Rai, left in the cold by those who think they can define culture for those who embody it.

As I mentioned elsewhere: Chiang Rai could be an artist town like Bergen in Holland, Ubud on Bali, Honfleur in France. Why can't the local branch of the Tourist Authority together with all those officially involved in the promotion of Chiang Rai and/or its cultural life create the infrastructure for this to happen?

I think many of us know the answer ...

Let's hope that our new mayor will get the museum project on track.

Limbo

[gerry1011]

Thanks Gerry, it was a great event.

In just a few years time Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz has, in a very creative and professional way, been able to develop the most innovating and active social-cultural institution in the Province Chiang Rai, which already at this early stage has gained national and to a certain degree even international fame.

This within a community where everybody was convinced that it couldn't be done. A community where everybody got used to the idea that a few established and self-appointed 'cultural popes' are holding development and progress hostage by cultivating a semi-feudal situation that serves them personally well, while at the same time neglecting society. As long as nothing happens, nobody can complain, or a similar philosophy must be theirs.

It's great that the private initiative is taking over where the traditional authorities are getting more and more out of touch with new developments and thereby with reality.

An initiative like this opens new perspectives for a sound cultural life in Chiang Rai.

It opens perspectives and gives hope to the surprisingly big and respectable artist community of Chiang Rai, left in the cold by those who think they can define culture for those who embody it.

As I mentioned elsewhere: Chiang Rai could be an artist town like Bergen in Holland, Ubud on Bali, Honfleur in France. Why can't the local branch of the Tourist Authority together with all those officially involved in the promotion of Chiang Rai and/or its cultural life create the infrastructure for this to happen?

I think many of us know the answer ...

Let's hope that our new mayor will get the museum project on track.

Limbo

Thank you very much for your comments regarding our work Limbo, it is encouraging for the future