Thailand, Bangkok; 19 September 2018: Today, the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 (BAB 2018), unveiled the details of a series of new site-specific commissions that will be housed in sites City-wide. Sites include some of the City’s oldest temples, such as Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Other important buildings such as the East Asiatic Building, a 19th Century Venetian-styled former Danish conglomeration building, will present the artist duo, Elmgreen & Dragset. Works will be unveiled at the opening on 19 October, where 75 artists will be situated across 20 venues in the City.

“Over the year we have welcomed some of the world’s greatest makers and creators to Bangkok, to visit sites and discuss new works for Bangkok Art Biennale. With the corporation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Learning Center Bank of Thailand and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, we have created something that has never been done before: new artist commissions that will be situated within ancient sites.

These temples mean a lot to this country’s identity and faith and it has been an honor to celebrate and juxtapose them with these artworks. With 20 sites, we have intentionally spread the Biennale City-wide, to ensure the programme can be experienced by broad audiences and be placed in context to the diversity of Bangkok.” said Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chief Executive and Artistic Director.

In addition to the ancient sites, Bangkok’s leading institutions have also came together to house the city-wide biennale. Sites sit along Chao Phraya River, the principle river of Bangkok, are ancient temples Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Prayoon (Temple of Iron Fence). Further down the river are Bank of Thailand Learning Center, O.P. Place, The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Also, on the map are buildings with historic architecture: The East Asiatic building, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Nai Lert Park Heritage Home. The heart of Bangkok has iconic landmarks: Skywalk, Siam Discovery, Siam Center, Siam Paragon, Central World, Central Embassy, Alliance Fra.aise Bangkok, One Bangkok, The EmQuartier and Theatre of Indulgence.

Under the theme ‘Beyond Bliss’, 75 artists from 33 countries participate in the inaugural edition. Some well-known names include Huang Yong Ping (France / China), Lee Bul (Korea), Yoshitomo Nara (Japan), Choi Jeong Hwa (Korea), Aurele (France), Andrew Stahl (UK), Pichet Klunchun (Thailand), Sakarin Krue-On (Thailand), Natee Utarit (Thailand), Chumpon Apisuk (Thailand) and Marina Abramovic (Yugoslavia). Marina Abramovic Institute are to create new long-durational performances for the exhibition (19th October – 11 November), called The Method held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), in addition Abramovic will give a lecture on 24th October at Siam Pavalai.

“People have been expecting a biennale in Bangkok to happen for many years, and a lot of people are very excited about this, including us. We have been taking part in a lot of Biennales all over the world, and to be part of this new, innovative project, is extremely exciting for us,” said Elmgreen & Dragset.

 A significant move initiated by Thai Beverage and One Bangkok, the fully-integrated district, is BAB Box, the main information center for BAB 2018. As a landmark in the center of the city, BAB Box includes information of artworks, transportation guide and map of the exhibiting venues. Additionally, there are more than 10 artworks to be exhibited as part of the 20 sites of BAB 2018.

To support the project, ThaiBev established the non-profit, Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation in 2017. By actively fostering recognition and appreciation of contemporary art, the Foundation has a mission to engage, inspire and incubate diverse Thai, ASEAN and international audiences.

CEO and president of ThaiBev and Co-founder of Bangkok Art Biennale, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, added, “Thailand is a special place. Arts and culture is a part of our society. For us, ThaiBev, this is a great opportunity to be able to contribute to society and a make a long-term impactful. Our foundation is here for good; in meaning, purpose and duration. We believe that the success of BAB, Thailand can play an important role in the global development of the arts and cultural landscape. We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to enjoy what we have made. “

For more information, please visit www.bkkartbiennale.com or follow us on Facebook BkkArtBiennale. Join the conversation via #bkkartbiennale #bangkokartbiennale

Notes to editors

The inaugural Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) will be held, from 19 October 2018 – 3 February 2019 in Thailand’s capital.

Organised by the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation, which was co-founded by CEO and president of ThaiBev, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi and the former permanent secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of BAB. BAB will be Bangkok’s first Biennale, marking the city’s addition to the international biennale circuit. Under the theme ‘Beyond Bliss’, the three-month event will feature contemporary art from Asia, Europe and the Pacific region, which will be showcased at various sites in Bangkok, including the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Suan Lumpini Park and at least three ancient temples along the Chao Phraya River.

Prof. Dr Apinan Poshyananda, Chief Executive and Artistic Director Bangkok Art Biennale (2018) Prof. Dr Apinan Poshyananda (b.1956 Bangkok) received Master Degree in Fine Arts from Edinburgh University and PhD in History of Art from Cornell University, New York. He became Professor at Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok and served as Director-General, Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Permanent Secretary and Acting Minister, Ministry of Culture, Thailand.

As artist, he held solo video installations How to Explain Art to a Bangkok Cock (Bhirasri Institute of Modern Art, Bangkok); Blue Laughter (Herbert Johnson Art Museum, New York, National Gallery of Art, Bangkok). He received 3 medals at National Exhibition of Art, Thailand.

International Advisers

Alexandra Munroe, Samsung Senior Curator, Asian Art, and Senior Advisor, Global Arts

David Stuart Elliott, British curator and writer

Dr Eugene Tan, Director, National Gallery Singapore

Nanjo Fumio, Director of the Mori Art Museum

Nigel Hurst, Head of Contemporary Art – The Box Plymouth, UK

Rirkrit Tiravanija, Artist

Sunjung Kim, President, Gwangju Biennale, South Korea