Bangkok Art Biennale 2018: Director Apinan Poshyananda on 'Beyond Bliss'

The Bangkok Art Biennale was officially unveiled in Venice during the early days of the 2017 Venice Biennale. Present at the press conference were Thana Weskosith, Andrea Marcon, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, Simone Venturini, artistic director Apinan Poshyananda, along with Marina Bertoldini and Fabio Marafatto from the European Council of Art. Scheduled to take place from November 2018 to February 2019, the inaugural edition will span various locations in Bangkok, emphasizing the city's cultural identity and traditions. The theme, 'Beyond Bliss,' examines the pursuit of happiness through an artistic journey amid chaos. Approximately seventy artists, both established and emerging, will participate, supported by a curatorial team that includes notable figures like Fumio Nanjo and Rirkrit Tiravanija. Poshyananda highlighted Bangkok's rich tourism and cultural heritage as key factors for hosting the event, which aims to enhance the local gallery network and engage new collectors. He also mentioned Venice as a source of inspiration for merging traditional and contemporary art.