Interested persons are invited to muse about the roles of a Buddhist temple during "Holy Land" which is running at Kathmandu Photo Gallery, until May 11.
This is a photography exhibition by Kamthorn Paowattanasuk, a photo artist who explores a rapidly-growing trend in Thai temples which makes them look more like galleries or museums that showcase Thai art from the past, present and contemporary rather than sacred places for Buddhists to come and seek peace.
He has been observing and documenting these artistic objects that started to emerge in temples since 2008, from the rise of "golden figure monks" to the emergence of "wax figure monks" that are as realistic as Madame Tussauds wax figures.
Instead of showcasing contemporary Buddhist art, many temples incorporate bizarre sculptures and futuristic objects in order to attract people to come and make merit.
Besides resin caves that transform into naga palaces and dinosaur statues and Marvel superheroes placed in temples, there are also amusing sculptures from newly-created miraculous legends, as well as the cross-cultural mixing such as the construction of a Japanese Torii Gate that is combined with a naga staircase leading to the ordination hall, surrounded by cherry blossom trees and Maneki Neko.
The artist couldn't help but wonder how future archaeologists and their descendants will interpret these fancy creations if one day the world collapses. As for the good Buddhists today, he wishes they enjoy themselves and gain merit from these holy places.
Kathmandu Photo Gallery is on Pan Road, near the Indian temple on Silom Road, and opens on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
Visit kathmanduphotobkk.com or call 02-234-6700.
