Youthapong Charoenpan
'Trace of Siamese Smile: Art + Faith + Politics + Love' is a magnificent exhibition currently being held at the recently-opened Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC), which features 300 significant works of art produced by as many Thai and international artists.
According to the curator – Dr Apinan Poshyananda, director-general of the ministry of culture's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture - the invited artists “each interconnect with one another to tell stories of the 'Siamese Smile' through different aspects of art, faith, politics and love”. Dr Apinan was formerly an art lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.
Chalood Nimsamer, Thawan Duchanee, Chalermchai Kositpipat, Preecha Thaothong, Thavorn Ko-udomvit, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Chatchai Puipia, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Araya Rasdjearmroensuk, and Wisit Sartsanathieng are among the renowned local artists who were invited to contribute works of art to the exhibition.
Among the international contributors are works from Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Nobuyoshi Araki, Yoshitomo Nara, Marina Abramovic, Choi Jeong-hwa, Pierre et Gilles, Yasumasa Morimura, David Mach, Amanda Coogan, Mette Tronvoll, Carl-Michael Von Hausswolff, Yue Minjun, and Paolo Canevari.
 Siamese smile: Through the eyes of the artists
French sculptor Rodin (1840-1917) once said of his sculptures: “I
should like people to look at it with tears of emotion in their eyes”.
And while he may have had some success in achieving this, don't expect
to get too tearful at 'Siamese Smile' since much of the work is likely
to bring about smiles or perhaps the odd frown here and there.
The
exhibition is filled with a variety of paintings, sculptures,
photographs, installations, and video art, highlighting each artist's
interpretation of the Thai smile. It's not merely a showcase of works
of art produced by both emerging and renowned artists; it's also a
journey that follows the path of history through artistic
interpretation from the past to the present.
Norwegian
photographer Mette Tronvoll's contribution is a new video installation
called Boxer, relating to her series of photographs called 'Isortoq
Unartoq'. Meanwhile, French artists Pierre et Gilles serve up their
artistic wit and unique style with Le Plus Beau Sourire Rose Pour le
Roi ('The Nicest Pink Smile for the King') in honor of the beloved Thai
monarch - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
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Visitors to the 9th floor of the BACC will also get the chance to enjoy
some priceless works produced by acclaimed American pop artists,
including Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol. In the
opinion of this reviewer, this work did not seem relevant with regard
to the theme, while most other people in attendance didn't seem to
understand it. It led me to ask myself a question, “what makes a piece
of art famous - the person producing it, or the beauty of the actual
piece?”
Center stage
Located at the center of the room is a stunning composition called
'Matchhead' by David Mach. This sculpture of the head of the Lord
Buddha was made by using bright red matchstick heads, creating an
impressive impact.
Chatchai Puipia has gained a good deal of interest for his jolting
self-portraits. His contribution is a grinning mask of a face with a
frightening expression. The smile is a somewhat sardonic grin, which
I'm sure was meant to make Thais question their country's reputation as
“the Land of the Smiles”. In fact, his point was probably that there's
nothing much to smile about when the very assets that made people Thai
are vanishing in the people's enslavement to global consumerism.
Some questions unresolved
Admittedly, this exhibition provides the opportunity for the public in
Bangkok to view numerous priceless paintings, sculptures and other art
forms, which have generously been lent by respectable art galleries
from around the world. It also provides a stage upon which they can
express their points of view with regard to the theme of the
exhibition.
And while the Siamese Smile at the heart of the theme of the exhibition
is pretty well known around the world these days, as a Thai, I'm not
really too sure what makes a Siamese smile stand out from any other.
Is it a natural smile that doesn't seek a smile in return? What makes
it really outstanding? Certainly they have provided some creative
inspiration for the artists whose work is on display since we don't
find it hard to smile – after all, it's a universal form of welcome.
And no matter whether the smile is produced by someone whose beautiful
or not, the world always seems a good deal brighter when you're greeted
with one or more.
Traces of Siamese Smile: Art + Faith + Politics + Love is currently being held at the BACC through November 30.
For further information, visit http://www.siamesesmile2008.com , or http://bacc.or.th
Transport connections:
Train: Located
opposite MBK and the Siam Discovery Center by Pathumwan intersection,
the quickest way to reach the center via public transport is by hopping
on the BTS skytrain and disembarking at either Siam or National
Stadium.
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Art & Culture 
Art & Culture
Thailand is home to a rich cultural heritage with distinct spiritual and art lineages. Gain insight into the ways of Thai culture passed down through the centuries in addition to its more modern variations through original Art & Culture articles.
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