The second edition of BAB 2020 (Bangkok Art Biennale) is all set to become one of the biggest art exhibitions to be held in Bangkok after several months of lockdown in Thailand. The event will be an ongoing one for three months, starting 29th October, in various locations in Bangkok including BACC, BAB Box One Bangkok, and other sites which have cultural and historical relevance.
This year, one significant addition is the to-be-opened BAB Cafe at the PARQ, which includes a multi-utility space created with the objective of co-hosting art exhibitions, a cafe, and various other events.
With more than 200 artworks of close to 82 artists hailing from 35 different countries, this event will operate under the primary theme of “Escape Routes”. The host of the event, the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation, plans to showcase art as an escape route from the world disorder and the chaos, particularly the pandemic.
In 2018, the 1st BABS witnessed over 2 million visitors and thus, a large number of people are expected to attend this year’s event. The event’s initiative “DEK BAB” aims to assist students and people, in general, to become art personnel and thereby support the event, even without prior experience in art. The objective is to ensure that each of the 730 applicants can connect the vast number of participants and the entities of the exhibition.
Needless to say, the latest edition of BAB will be different from the last one as the upcoming will be forced to adhere to strict, precautionary measures according to the New Normal policy, which includes physical distancing, face masks, hand sanitizers, and temperature checks.
More than 80 participants are expected to engage in this event. One prominent artist is Dr. Aiyana Phuyuthanon who will showcase an art video, which recites the hopelessness of people residing in the Three Southern Borders of Thailand. The idea is to demonstrate that regardless of the various frustrations that come with life, art can be used to express feelings, and thereby act as an escape route for everyone.
Peerapong Limthammarong, known as P7, is another interesting artist to watch out for. A contemporary sculpture made up of fibre materials and realistic colouring will be showcased. Puppets will be used to present the work and the narration will be carried out by ventriloquists, thereby ensuring that the audience has adequate space to use their own imaginations.
Moreover, over 16 foreign artists will also be exhibiting their works which were recently displayed in the Shanghai Art & Design 2019 at the West Bund Art Centre, Shanghai, Mainland China.
