Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 Opens Amid Pandemic and Political Unrest with 'Escape Routes' Theme
The Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 launches on 29 October across nine venues, including three temples, featuring 82 artists from 35 countries. Artistic director Apinan Poshyananda, former Thai Ministry of Culture permanent secretary, leads the exhibition titled 'Escape Routes,' exploring responses to global crises. The event proceeds despite Thailand's closed borders and concurrent youth-led protests demanding democratic reforms, which saw clashes near the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre. Twenty-five participating artists signed an open letter condemning violence against protesters and supporting democracy. Main sponsor ThaiBev's president Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi made the final decision to proceed, aiming to boost Thailand's image. The biennale adapts to pandemic constraints with online walkthroughs and remote collaborations, such as Reena Saini Kallat's Zoom-assisted installation. Notable artists include Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, Marina Abramović, Bill Viola, Lu Yang, Leandro Erlich, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. Kapoor's installations at Wat Arun and Wat Pho involved complex logistics, including nighttime work and protective measures for heritage sites. Poshyananda emphasizes artistic freedom, noting ThaiBev does not interfere with content, and excludes state-sanctioned National Artists to spotlight emerging Thai talent. The biennale runs through 31 January 2021, with hopes for eventual tourist access.
Key facts
- Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 opens 29 October 2020
- Features 82 artists from 35 countries across 9 venues
- Theme is 'Escape Routes,' addressing pandemic, climate change, and politics
- Artistic director is Apinan Poshyananda, former Thai Ministry of Culture official
- Main sponsor is ThaiBev, with president Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi approving the event
- 25 artists signed an open letter supporting pro-democracy protests in Thailand
- Includes installations by Anish Kapoor at Wat Arun and Wat Pho temples
- Runs through 31 January 2021 with online walkthroughs available
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
- Anish Kapoor
- Apinan Poshyananda
- Bill Viola
- François Roche
- Headache Stencil
- Leandro Erlich
- Lu Yang
- Marina Abramović
- Prateep Suthathongthai
- Reena Saini Kallat
- Rirkrit Tiravanija
- Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi
- Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
- I-na Phuyuthanon
- Yuree Kensaku
- Rungruang Sittirerk
- Yoko Ono
- John Akomfrah
- Kubra Khademi
- Nomin Bold
- Baatarzorig Batjargal
- Chantana Tiprachart
- Melati Suryodarmo
- Miles Greenberg
- Guy de Maupassant
- Eugène Delacroix
- Irwan Ahmett
- Tita Salina
- Ruangsak Anuwatwimon
- Rushdi Anwar
- Martha Atienza
- Thanet Awsinsiri
- Massimo Bartolini
- Elina Brotherus
- Carlos Casas
- Choy Ka Fai
- Venzha Christ
- Maisie Cousins
- Frank Hallam Day
- Nezaket Ekici
- Julia Fullerton-Batten
- Tada Hengsapkul
- Maria Stamenković Herranz
- Ho Rui An
- Christian Jankowski
- Lampu Kansanoh
- Kaung Swan Thar
- Naiza Khan
- Khvay Samnang
- Ga Ram Kim
- Elena Knox
- Tan Kositpipat
- Note Kritsada
- Dinh Q. Lê
- Haevan Lee
- Lolay
- Rachel Maclean
- Taus Makhacheva
- Rania Matar
- Dane Mitchell
- Sarah Naqvi
- Uttaporn Nimmalaikeaw
- Nipan Oranniwesna
- Jureeporn Pedking
- Samer Peerachai
- Buchachon Petthanya
- Souliya Phoumivong
- na Phuyuthanon
- Ana Prvački
- Thaiwijit Puengkasemsomboon
- Charit Pusiri
- Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook
- Marinella Senatore
- Andres Serrano
- Michael Shaowanasai
- Yanakorn Sinvatcharaporn
- Minah Son
- Dansoung Sungvoraveshapan
- Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch
- Prateep Suthatongthai
- Farhana Islam Tani
- Yuken Teruya
- Bussaraporn Thongchai
- Narongyot Thongyu
- Tawan Wattuya
- Zhang Kechun
- Zhou Xia Hu
- Marina Abramovic
- Melati Suryodarrmo
- Marco Scotini
- Giulia Ronchi
Institutions
- ArtReview Asia
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC)
- Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB)
- Bangkok Biennial
- Ministry of Culture (Thailand)
- New Territories
- Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand
- ThaiBev
- United Nations
- Bangkok Art Biennale
- One Bangkok
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
- The Parq
- Wat Pho temple
- Communist Party
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
- Museum Siam
- Indonesia Space Science Society
- ArtReview
- Siam Museum
- Lhong 1919
- Wat Pho
- Wat Arun
- Wat Prayoon
- Artribune
- LHONG 1919
Locations
- Bangkok
- Bombay
- Holland
- Southeast Asia
- Switzerland
- Talad Noi
- Thailand
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
- Dusit Thani
- Klong Toey
- Middle East
- Asia
- Lao-Thai
- Sydney
- Australia
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Liverpool
- United Kingdom
- Chao Phraya River
- Pesaro
- Italy
- Milan
- Brera
- Wat Prayoon
- Kadeejeen