Bangkok's Environmental Art Scene Responds to Climate Crisis Through Satire and Exhibitions

Bangkok is grappling with significant environmental issues, including flooding that hit 1.33m above sea level in early November and persistent air pollution, with forecasts suggesting the city may lie below the high-tide line by 2050. This situation has led to an increase in art exhibitions centered on environmental themes and satirical commentary. The Facebook page Uninspired by Current Events utilizes cartoons to highlight Thailand's ecological problems. Warin Lab Contemporary, which opened in January in the former residence of conservationist Dr. Boonsong Lekagul, features a year of exhibitions focused on the environment. Apichatpong Weerasethakul's two-part exhibition A Minor History at 100 Tonson Foundation examines the Mekong River's changes due to dam construction, intertwining ecology, politics, and folklore. A retrospective of Damrong Wong-Uparaj at the Bangkok Art Culture Centre showcased idealized rural imagery. Thailand's environmental stance was notably weak at COP26 in Glasgow, where it did not commit to methane reduction or coal phase-out. Artists like Piyarat Piyapongwiwat, influenced by Timothy Morton's ecological theories, operate in spaces that challenge conventional environmental narratives. This summary is from the December 2021 issue of ArtReview.