Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023
The Open World
December 9, 2023–April 30, 2024
The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), Thailand Ministry of Culture, with the collaboration of The Provincial Government of Chiang Rai, on December 9 at 6pm. unveils the third installment of Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 at Chiang Rai International Art Museum (CIAM).
Established in 2018, as an International Art Festival, Thailand Biennale is unique in its circulation of each exhibition installment to a different provincial geography of Thailand, who plays host for each edition. The past two Biennales were hosted in the province of Krabi (2018) and Nakhon Ratchasima (2021).
The first local curatorial team of Artistic Directors Rirkrit Tiravanija and Gridthiya Gaweewong, with Curators Angkrit Ajchariyasophon and Manuporn Luengaram, will be exploring the theme titled “The Open World”.
Inspired by a Buddha statue from 13th century at Pa Sak temple in Chiang Saen, the “Open World” concept embodies wisdom, enlightenment, and the opening up of our perceptions of art and reality, prompting contemplation on envisioning a better future. The theme also encapsulates centuries of Chiang Rai’s history, integrating past, present and future. As a locus of artistic exploration and connection with other localities at the regional and global levels, the exhibition includes artists from the Mekong to the Amazon. This biennale edition serves as an arena for cultural exchange and dialogue on contemporary issues. The curatorial team embraces this complex history which reveals the perspective of small narratives, astounding cultural diversity, and lush ecosystem. Over 30 ethnic groups coexist in this melting pot, fostering a unique identity and facilitating a robust network of artists, nurturing the co-existence of the contemporary art and craft communities.
Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 is contingent upon the collaboration of the Chiang Rai community. Additionally, the close unity among artists in Chiang Rai has cultivated a thriving contemporary art community, indicating their eager preparedness to participate in the upcoming event. The invited artists were tasked to engaged and explore diverse forms and contents, emphasizing field trips and research into Chiang Rai’s histories from various perspectives. Excursions with artists through their visit to the province have sparked ideas and reflection with Chiang Rai’s multicultural identity, indigenous wisdom and knowledge transmission through their art.
Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023, will run from December 9, 2023, until April 30, 2024. Attendees to the press preview on December 8-10th will have the occasion to meet the curatorial team and representative artists, with additional details on main exhibition pavilions, collateral events, and the names of over 60 participating artists revealed.
Artists: (all(zone), Bangkok; Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Bangkok; Baan Noorg Collaborative Arts and Culture, Ratchaburi; Busui Ajaw, Chiang Rai; Citra Sasmita, Bali; Ernesto Neto, Rio de Janeiro; Haegue Yang, Seoul; Ho Tzu Nyen, Singapore; Kamonlak Sukchai, Bangkok; Michael Lin, Tokyo; Navin Rawanchaikul, Chiang Mai; Nguyen Trinh Thi, Hanoi; Nipan Oranniwesna, Bangkok; Roongroj Paimyossak, Chiang Mai; Ryusuke Kido, Tokyo; Sanitas Pradittasnee, Bangkok; Sawangwongse Yawnghwe, Shan State; Soe Yu Nwe, Shan State; Sriwan Janehuttakarnkit, Bangkok; Tobias Rehberger, Esslingen; Arto Lindsay, Richmond; Boedi Widjaja, Surakarta; Chata Maiwong, Chiang Rai; Chitti Kasemkitvatana, Bangkok; Hsu Chia-Wei, Taichung; Kader Attia, Seine-Saint-Denis; Korakot Aromdee, Petchaburi; Maria Hassabi, Nicosia; Movana Chen, Guangdong; Pangrok Sulap, Ranau; Poklong Anading, Manila; Precious Okoyomon, London; Sompong Sarasap, Chiang Rai; Tarek Atoui, Beirut; Tayeba Begum Lipi, Gaibandha; Tcheu Siong, Luang Prabang; Tuguldur Yondonjamts, Ulaanbaatar; Wantanee Siripattananuntakul, Bangkok; Wit Pimkanchanapong, Bangkok; Zen Teh, Singapore; Almagul Menlibayeva, Almaty; Arin Rungjang, Bangkok; Atta Kwami, Accra; Chakaia Booker, Newark; Cheng Xinhao, Yunnan; Korakrit Arunanondchai, Bangkok; Vuth Lyno, Phnom Penh; Maria Theresa Alves, São Paulo; Pablo Bartholomew, New Delhi; Pierre Huyghe, Paris; Sarah Sze, Boston; Shimabuku, Kobe; Somluk Pantiboon, Chiang Rai; Songdej Thipthong, Chiang Rai; Tawatchai Puntusawasdi, Bangkok; Tomás Saraceno, San Miguel de; Tsherin Sherpa, Kathmandu; Ubatsat, Chiang Mai; Wang Wen-Chih, Chiayi; Xin Liu, Xinjiang