Organised by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the Ministry of Culture and Chiang Rai province, Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 is set to be held from Dec 9 to April 30 next year.
Minister of Culture Itthiphol Kunploem announced that the government has assigned the Ministry of Culture via the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture to host the International Contemporary Art Festival, Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023. The province will promote its metamorphosis into a world-famous city of art, aiming to become a destination for global travellers.
The artistic directors Rirkrit Tiravanija and Gridthiya Gaweewong explained that the exhibition concept "Open World" was inspired by the Buddha statue at Wat Pa Sak. The artistic directors came across the statue built in 1295 while they conducted research about Chiang Rai.
The concept is meant to convey wisdom and enlightenment along with an expansion of audiences' awareness of art based on real-life issues. Through the use of contemporary art, this festival aims to raise the question: "Is it still possible for us to imagine a better future once more?"
Artwork by Haegue Yang. (Photo: Haegue Yang)
Gridthiya and curator Angkrit Ajchariyasophon, as locals of Chiang Rai, said their various research trips have allowed them to feel like tourists in their own home once again, with the experience giving them the desire to pass on these emotions to all Biennale audiences. Beyond just coming to experience the art, the curatorial team members hope that visitors can also experience all Chiang Rai has to offer including food, nature, tourist attractions, culture, music and the local ways of life.
Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 recently revealed the first phase of artists, including Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Chiang Mai), Sanitas Pradittasnee (Bangkok), Tobias Rehberger (Frankfurt), Haegue Yang (Seoul/Berlin) and Ernesto Neto (Rio de Janeiro).
For more information, visit thailandbiennale.org and facebook.com/thailandbiennale.
Sculptures by Tobias Rehberger. (Photo: Swatch)
