Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 explores tourism, migration and identity across 20 city venues
The first Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) commenced on October 18, 2018, and continued until February 3, 2019, with the goal of positioning Bangkok as a key art hub in Southeast Asia. Under the guidance of artistic director Apinan Poshyananda, a five-member curatorial team showcased works across 20 venues, featuring prominent artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Choi Jeong Hwa, and Yoshitomo Nara. At the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre (BACC), social themes were explored through pieces like Chumpon Apisuk's video I Have Dreams (2018) and Imhathai Suwatthanaslip's No More Sewing Machines (2018). Significant installations included Tape Bangkok (2018) by Numen For Use Design and Zero (2018) by Elmgreen & Dragset, with the event largely funded by private sources due to reductions in public support.
Key facts
- Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 ran from October 18, 2018 to February 3, 2019
- The biennial used 20 venues across Bangkok including temples, hotels, and shopping malls
- Artistic director Apinan Poshyananda led a five-person curatorial team
- The event aimed to establish Bangkok as a Southeast Asian art destination
- Works addressed themes including tourism, migration, sex work, and identity
- The biennial was primarily privately funded while BACC faced public funding cuts
- Thailand hosted two other biennials and a triennial video-art festival in the preceding six months
- The biennial subtitle was 'Beyond Bliss'
Entities
Artists
- Choi Jeong Hwa
- Yayoi Kusama
- Yoshitomo Nara
- Apinan Poshyananda
- Elmgreen & Dragset
- Chumpon Apisuk
- Imhathai Suwatthanaslip
- Sherman Ong
- Elisa Jocson
- Samak Kosem
- Patrick Flores
- Pawit Mahasarinand
- Walt Disney
- Jim Steinman
- Meatloaf
- Marina Abramović
Institutions
- Bangkok Art Biennale
- Thai Airways
- Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre
- Peninsula Hotel
- Marina Abramović Institute
- O.P. Place
- ArtReview
- Mida Karaoke
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Southeast Asia
- Chao Phraya River
- Chiang Mai
- Malaysia
- Afghanistan
- Manila
- Philippines
- Krabi
- Croatia
- Malacca