It showed yet again that Chiang Mai is the Culture Hub of
the North when an exclusive exhibition at Chiang Mai University Art Museum
was opened on Friday, May 2.
Curator
Prof. Volker Arbus (right) took the time to explain to the interested
visitors each design and its background. He is seen here with the principal
of the CDSC, Mr. Fred Hartmann, and his wife Marlies.
You
have to love arts or be an artist to sometimes understand a political
statement - this particular corner is a re-build of an RAF room, a political
reconstruction of the terrorists lives during the 70s, as the young artist
sees it from his perspective nowadays.
Reception
Room by Dorothee Golz. "Stacking Chairs, Communication Model, Floating
Lamp, Growing with big tasks".
Chiang Mai University Art Museum, the IFA Germany
(Institute for International Affairs) in collaboration with the Goethe
Institute Bangkok, proudly presented the most exciting traveling art
exhibition, curated by Prof. Volker Arbus and Renate Goldmann. The opening
and ribbon cutting ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tanun
Anumanrajadhon, vice president for International and Special Affairs, Chiang
Mai University, and Hon. Council for the Federal Republic of Germany Hagen
Dirksen.
The show aims to investigate the connection between art
and design and opens a wide panorama of alleged rapprochements and clear
distinctions between the two.
25 artistic positions were chosen to show single objects,
sculptures, space installation and videos. Most of the participating artists
have produced works especially for the exhibition ‘Come in’, which is
focused on two kinds of objects: those treating the phenomenon of personal
and collective memory in the tradition of sculpture, and those which assume
definitive ‘form’ only by means of their communicative functioning, i.e.
in practical use.
Dr.
Katharina von Ruckteschell-Katte, director of the Goethe Institute Bangkok,
made it possible for Chiang Mai to be the venue for this international
touring exhibition for the 2nd year in a row. Good luck to her on her next
assignment in Munich.
The
Library Boat - designed by local artists Thasnai Sethaseree and Piyawat
Raiva.
Hon. Consul to the Federal Republic of Germany Hagen
Dirksen said in his opening speech that he was honored that Chiang Mai was
chosen once again for this exhibition and it shows the ongoing ‘love
affair’ between the 2 countries, Thailand and Germany. He also informed
the audience that Dr. Katharina von Ruckteschell-Katte, director of the
Goethe Institute Bangkok was moving on, after more than 3 years in Thailand,
to her next assignment in Munich, but he hopes that also her successor will
not stop bringing arts and cultural events to Chiang Mai.
The charming and always smiling Dr. Katharina, who flew
up to Chiang Mai for this evening to watch over the set up in the big halls,
believes that deep down inside, Bangkok is jealous of Chiang Mai because the
possibilities and the artists which are here in the North are second to none
found in Thailand. She pointed out the difference between last year’s
exhibition and this year’s - that this time Chiang Mai artists were
invited to participate as guest artists.
Curator Prof. Volker Arbus pointed out the difference
between an artist and a designer, which can clearly be seen in this
exhibition. A designer asks himself the question, "How can I make
something to fulfill a need?" This can be seen in the ‘Library Boat’
of local design artists Thasnai Sethaseree and Piyawat Raiva. It is a
beautiful design but it can also be used.
An artist is not at all interested in that. He only wants
to express himself and give a message, like the RAF room, a political
reconstruction and statement from the 70s.
This exhibition draws a line between art and interior design and will
challenge the Chiang Mai audience. It can be visited daily, except Mondays,
from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. until May 30.
