By Panu Boonpipattanapong
Translated by Pairat Temphairojana
The Spirits of Maritime Crossing is a collateral exhibition featured in the 60th Venice Biennale 2024. Organized by Bangkok Art Biennale with Prof Dr Apinan Poshyananda the Chief Executive and Artistic Director, this group exhibition is being held at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana, a historic building built in neoclassical style from the 18th century in Venice, Italy. The exhibition features the following 15 artists, comprising contemporary artists from Thailand and Southeast Asia together with world-renowned artists:
- Marina Abramović: a performance artist from Serbia / United States who collaborated with contemporary Thai dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun
- Chitti Kasemkitvatana: who collaborated with Nakrob Moonmanas, two collage and multidisciplinary artists from Thailand
- Jakkai Siributr: a contemporary Thai artist who uses textiles and embroideries as a medium for his works
- Natee Utarit: a contemporary artist from Thailand
- Kawita Vatanajyankur: a Thai video and performance artist creating live performances
- Bounpaul Phothyzan: a contemporary artist from Laos
- Jompet Kuswidananto: a contemporary artist from Indonesia
- Alwin Reamillo: a contemporary artist from the Philippines
- Khvay Samnang: a contemporary artist from Cambodia
- Truong Cong Tung: a contemporary artist from Vietnam
- Moe Satt: a contemporary artist hailing from Myanmar and based in the Netherlands
- Priyageetha Dia: a contemporary artist from Singapore
- Yee I-Lann: a contemporary artist from Malaysia
These 15 artists present their art in many mediums: painting, sculpture, mixed-media, installation art, live video performances and short films. Their stories represent people’s ways of life, culture, and history. The exhibition extends to socio-political issues, diasporic histories, migration, impacts from conflicts and the exploration of one’s roots and post-colonial identity from each region told in a fascinating way by their interpretations.
While all the artists may have differences in race, language, religion and culture, they are no different than any other of the participants as reflected by this year’s Venice Biennale theme of “Foreigners Everywhere”. Despite their differences, these 15 artists have similar common influences on their work such as terrain, climate and socio-political issues which are communicated through their works developed through the context of their region and surroundings in cities intertwined with Venice’s long history, creating a riveting dialogue between the spirits of West and East.
The Spirits of Maritime Crossing exhibition is on view from 20 April until 24 November 2024 at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana in Venice, Italy.
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation and Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana
Information from Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation
