Going through changes

An effect of the changing lifestyles of Thai society is portrayed through a series of photographs by prominent Thai photographer Dow Wasiksiri during the "Quiet Encounters" exhibition at Chulalongkorn University's Art Centre from this Thursday through Oct 15.

On display will be 50 photos of landscapes taken by Dow during his journeys to many parts of the country in the past few years, encountering what Thais have done to their surroundings. The images record how scenery and modernity collide and reflect how the country has developed ad hoc, not preserving the past nor planning an integrated future, but catering to immediate needs.

The mismatched element seen in the photos reveals an attempt to improve life, earn a living, upgrade a home, civilise the wild, brighten up utilities. The result is no longer rural, not quite urban. There are no longer city limits, just unrelieved peri-urban sprawl.

Dow's images show the effect on peri-urban space; man-made structures feel stranded, even lonely, yet dominate the surrounding vista. The scattered manner of construction makes both nature and architecture look out of place. The exhibition gives an impression that Thais are proud of their development and seem not to notice or mind when it favours function over aesthetics. These photos get Dow to ponder the tastes and lifestyles that have led Thai society to change our landscape in this way.

The opening reception is this Thursday at 6.45pm, preceded by an artist talk from 5pm to 6.30pm. The Art Centre is on the seventh floor of the Office of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Phaya Thai Road, and opens Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.

Call 02-218-2965.