Exhibition Review : This Moment : Thailand 

When the Asia Culture Center was established, its guiding mission was to advance “mutual understanding and cooperative growth with different Asian countries through exchange, education and research on Asian culture.” It has sought to create bridges between Asian nations within the realm of culture, and shine a light on various art forms that have perhaps not been given their due. Since its opening, the Asia Culture Center has provided a platform for otherwise overlooked subcultures and art movements, as well as progressive artists within the Asian continent. One if its newest exhibitions, “This Moment: Thailand,” located in the Archive & Research section, provides a window into the world of experimental Thai film, providing a more in depth look into the social and societal situation of Thailand that is otherwise missed by the millions of tourists who flock to the nation every year. 

From the pamphlet for the exhibition, it’s obvious that cultural exchange plays a large part in this exhibition, which hopes to provide Koreans with a better understanding of Thai society. As it states, “Koreans have had few chances to study the present state of the country as only tourism and the culinary culture of Thailand have been magnified.” This exhibition therefore hopes to present Koreans a wider picture of Thailand, away from the narrow view provided by TV travel specials or magazines of tourist spots. Thailand is currently at a crossroads. Its beloved monarch, King Bhumibol, has just passed away, leaving the entire nation in a period of mourning, as well as in a state of uncertainty with the ascension of his son to the throne. A military government remains in power following its coup over two years ago in response to a rising current of political violence that brought much of the nation to a standstill. 

The filmmakers presented in this exhibition seek to provide viewers with the background necessary to grasp the complexities of modern Thai society. Director Wattanapume Laisuwanchai presents two interesting pieces, “Lucid reminiscence” and “Dreamscape.” These two short films last for about fifteen minutes each. In both pieces, Laisuwanchai interviews street vendors, asking them where they came from, how they feel about Bangkok, and about their hopes and dreams, while they make a drawing of whatever comes to their mind. These films delve into the economic disparities of Thailand, as both interviewees lament upon the lack of economic opportunities provided to them in their countryside homes. The overarching theme is of displacement as neither interviewee felt fully at home in Bangkok and both hoped to return to their respective hometowns in the near future. 
 
Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit moves in a more personal direction, examining more intimate relationships between people in a series of short films, titled “Scene 37,”, “Scene 38,” and “Scene 39.” They provide a look into the experiences and relationships of young Thais and their everyday lives within the urban jungle of Bangkok, taking the form of everyday conversations between the characters as they reflect on their pasts, presents, and futures, showing both their hopes and anxieties. The characters in these short films are easy to sympathize with, reflecting the universality of the sentiments displayed by young adults regardless of location. 

Through such forms of cultural exchange people come to understand one another and find common sentiments, which in turn helps us overcome fear of others and broaden our minds. Art is just one form, but an increasingly important one that transcends borders and must be nurtured. As the Asia Culture Center grows, perhaps such sentiments will too.

Written by. Amos Farooqi, 9th ACC Reporters Corps