On 15 Dec, 19.00 hrs., Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired the opening ceremony of “Thai Folk Wisdom: Contemporary Take on Traditional Proverbs” exhibition, Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Pathumwan Junction, welcomed by Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre Director Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, M.R.W Narisara Chakrabongse from River Books Publishing, Exhibition Curator Tulaya Pornpiriyakulchai. A large number of press and public participated in the event.
On this occasion the Prime Minister expressed his gladness for presiding over the opening ceremony. The exhibition displays contemporary art by famous artists presenting Thai Proverbs through their amazing creativities. Thai proverbs or sayings can reflect some truths. Every language, every culture, every society, and every country have their own proverbs, sayings, or idioms which sometimes reflect the same facts or truths that human beings tend to encounter in some situations or in their daily lives. Putting words together as a proverb of each country has their own uniqueness in reflecting their cultures, points of view of people in the societies that have been transferred from generation to generation. It becomes an important part of cultures in the societies. Bringing up Thai proverbs to express through the artwork is simply special, reflecting points of view in terms of social heritage and new perspectives that modern artists understand and have their views in different ways. Inheriting frame of thoughts on culture through this new media will make later generation be able to access and appreciate system of thought on truths.
On this occasion the Prime Minister thanked the management of Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, the exhibition committee, and other concerned people from every organizations, including all artists who managed to have such a good and valuable activity happen in Thai society. Then the Prime Minister saw the exhibition held on the third and the fourth floor with interest.
The exhibition of “Thai Folk Wisdom: Contemporary Take on Traditional Proverbs” brings 50 Thai proverbs to present vitally with classy tactics in contemporary art exhibition style. Each piece of work is expressed through leading artist, such as Kijja Yamansabeedin, M.L. Chiratorn Chirapravati, Ongarj Chiamcharoenpornkul, and Sutee Kunavichayanont. Their works reflects modern Thai culture, under the direction of Tulaya Pornpiriyakulchai and S.E.A. Write award winner, Ngarmpun Vejjajiva who writes commentaries on the proverbs and links them to a tale of a girl, Lum Nam, living with her aunt and uncle in Bangkok until they face some problems that they cannot figure them out, linking traditional Thai proverbs to the vibrant modern city interestingly. The exhibit is on display from Thursday 3 December 16, 2009 through January 17, 2010, on the third and fourth floor, the Bangkok Art and Culture from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Mondays).