A exeptional exhibition will take place in February in Chiangrai.

In other times Paul Beckrich might have been called an alchemist… he “transforms earth into metal”.

Invited to Thailand by Maechan Rotarians, the French artist arrived in Chiangrai in early January to start preparations on his next sculptures exhibition entitled “People of the World”.

Paul Beckrich’s sculptures follow 3 main directions – movement, expression and visual aspects of the earth – in accordance with the sculptor’s desire to create figures inspired by ancient civilizations.

By mixing various minerals in order to obtain enamel, a technique he masters perfectly since many years, the artist also creates precious metallic-like colors.

It is this particular technique that has made the sculptures of Paul Beckrich such a success in Paris and elsewhere in Europe.

“People Of The World” is not only an exhibition by Paul Beckrich, however. It is a whole project organized in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Maechan to give the artist the opportunity to share his knowledge with 20 Thai students interested in sculpting.

Until mid February, these students will be learning a technique rarely seen in Thailand, which could orient them towards a new art form.

The project will draw to a close on 19th February, at an exclusive Garden Party at Insii Thai House Maechan. All of Paul Beckrich’s work will be available for purchase on that date, with all proceeds going to the Smiling Child Scholarship Fund.

The Fund, established by the Rotary, provides educational scholarships for children who have lost their parents due to HIV-AIDS.

In addition to the exhibition itself, a master piece by Paul Beckrich will be burnt during the Garden Party, and auctioned off that evening.

Some pictures of the scuptures can be seen on the website of Insii Thai House.

For more information about this exhibition, or to receive invitations, please contact [email protected]

Website of Paul Bechrich: http://www.paul-beckrich.com/

Website of Insii Thai House: http://insiithaihouse.tk/

The Party in a few numbers:

1 French artist.

24 Sculptures.

101 Performers and dancers.

25 Violonists.

1 Master piece auctioned.

10 Students showing the work done with the artist.

1 Lucky Draw with 2 paintings to win.

10 "secret boxes", 1 of them containing a jewel.

1 High quality Thai dinner.

...

1 exceptional party to the benefit of the Children of Chiangrai.

Yes, 'People of the World' is the name of the exhibition, but of which world?

Don’t the characters, as captured in the sculptures of Paul Beckrich, refer to another world, maybe similar to ours but enriched by an elusive timelessness?

Could it be the world of imagination as it exists in the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and in de old tales registered by the brothers Grimm?

Paul Beckrich took clay and minerals of our earth, added fire and wind, and left it to our own fantasy to breathe his magic and mysterious creatures into life.

Their serene facial expression, extremely beautiful in its modesty and equability, is unmistakable of Asian nature.

The explanation might be found in the fact, that Paul Beckrich found the inspiration for the metaphorical aspect of his work during an art event in Japan in 1989.

Is this his way to embrace and pay homage to the Asian philosophy and culture he respects and admires so much?

Where do his creatures come from and where do they go?

They not deign to look at us; their world doesn’t seem to look out on ours.

Do their feet touch our earth at all? We don’t know. Also the answer to this question Paul Beckrich left to our fantasy.

In their uniqueness the sculptures of Paul Beckrich all tell their own story.

But whatever they are doing, may it be carrying cloth to unknown markets or bags of rice to pay in tax to their mysterious communities, they all look like Princes and Princesses, illustrating another characteristic of fairy tales.

Paul Beckrich hands us the key to the fascinating world of fantasy and his work obliges us to unlock its mighty gates!

Any art-lovers in Chiang Rai?

Please contact Gerry1011 for an invitation!

Limbo

Wooohhh ...

im not art-lover,but i like to see some art works.I dont know anything about art much only know if i like the thing i am seeing or not ,thats all i know about art...

PS. i am a chocolate lover....(+wine)

Wooohhh ...

im not art-lover,but i like to see some art works.I dont know anything about art much only know if i like the thing i am seeing or not ,thats all i know about art...

--------- You hit the nail on the head! That's where it is all about.

The rest is 'quack-quack'!

PS. i am a chocolate lover....(+wine)

---------- If you look at Gerry1011's website under 'events', you will notice that you missed the Belgian chocolade party (+wine!).

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Limbo

For your information: Within one hour all sculptures were sold!

For a price of less than a quarter of which it would have been worth in Europe or America.

And what was this price?

3 Years to school for a kid, 4 years and 5 years: Yes, 9, 12 and 15 thousand Baht.

Keep an eye on what is happening at Insii Thai House! It is going to be (as far as it isn't yet) a cultural center of the northern part of Chiang Rai Province.

Limbo.

i still dont know where it is......