Many Thai craftsmen truly have the skills, yet often somehow fall short of platforms from which to let their artistry shine.
Realising the struggles facing Thai artisans, Iconsiam -- a new Bangkok landmark -- is launching Iconcraft, a specially created venue for Thai designers and entrepreneurs to showcase innovative crafts, add value to their creations, and at the same time promote the reputation of Thai craftwork on the world stage.
Spanning across the area of 2,500m² on the 4th and the 5th floor of Iconsiam, Iconcraft is set to open on Saturday with a highlight exhibition entitled "Siam Hand Made", displaying works of internationally renowned artist Vipoo Srivilasa. Vipoo has earned his international reputation while living in Australia for 15 years, with exhibits featuring ceramic crafts travelling to several countries around the world.
"At Iconcraft, we collaborate with more than 300 designers, creators, innovators and artisans in a vast array of disciplines to creatively showcase Thailand's innovative crafts as a way to carry on the wisdom of Thai artisans, encouraging them to build on their craftsmanship to elevate the standard and increase value while their skills are made known and recognised globally," said Chaiyong Ratana-Angkura, an executive of Siam Piwat.
Presented with the "Innovative Craft Designed For Everyday Life" concept, Iconcraft is where traditional and ancient crafts are put into a contemporary context. The result is a centre of Thai innovative crafts and craftwork where a new generation of designers will be able to carry on and improve valuable crafting skills inherited from the past, by creating interesting forms of art that are easily appreciated and in-demand among the new generation.
Iconcraft has allocated its space for various genres of Thai crafts, including but not limited to, the crafts of gold and metal; the crafts of enamelling, painting, drawing, lacquering and gilding; the crafts of sculpturing; woodcrafts; and Thai traditional medicines.
Duangrit Bunnag, the architect who designed Iconcraft, said the idea was to make it look like the setting of a ring that is attractive to Iconsiam's visitors. The core requirement was to channel Thainess in look and feeling, but it has to be modern and in harmony with the present. Cultural roots and craftsmanship were integrated into the modern perspective of the architectural design. The result is an interesting and unique way of storytelling through craftwork.
"We developed the design concept of Iconcraft with Iconsiam in a co-evolving way. It resulted in the conceptual clarity of an organic or natural shape. The inspiration was drawn from Thai craftwork with curves and delicacy. There are curve lines all over Iconcraft that give different perspectives when looked at from different vantage points. It makes you feel that every area changes all the time," said Duangrit.
"Iconcraft is a venue for telling stories of Thais via their crafts. It steps beyond cultural limits and is full of creativity, fun and cheerfulness typical of Thailand," he added.
Iconcraft exhibits and sells more than 5,000 products from over 300 Thai artisans. Among the brands represented are Angsa, Prem Wualai, Coth Studio, Benjarong Sor Langsuan, homlom, Benjametha, Sumphat, Doting, Thxful for Small mercies, AWA decor, Yano Handicraft, Bhukram, Mathatra, Boonyarat Thai Craft, Borriboon Craft, Ayodhaya, SAIJAI RICE, MEK Ice Cream, Hungre.he, Akha Ama Coffee, monsoon tea, Cher Cheeva, Phu Klon, Yant, Maleeya Natural Product, WATAPO and nuaynardhandcraft.
Iconcraft. Photos © Iconsiam
