A fresh kind of artistic social conscience

Art exhibitions with a political message may open on a regular basis in Bangkok, but the issues artists tackle in Thailand aren’t in fact limited to critiques of military power, censorship or a polarised society.

Social and environmental topics are political too, in the sense that they result from government action or inaction. Two art exhibitions act as wake-up calls this month, addressing both climate change at a global level and, closer to home, the dirty business of coal-fired power-plant projects in Thailand’s South.

A group exhibition by the Community Art Project, involving seven artists, opens tonight at WTF Gallery and Café. It will use performance art, poetry, video and photography, as well as mixed-media installations, to raise awareness of the ways in which the power plants affect local populations.

Talks of coal-fired power plants to be built in Krabi and Thepa have dwindled this year, but the threat is still very real for communities whose environment and livelihood are at risk. Research has shown that marine diversity in the areas pinpointed for the projects to be built will be damaged as a result.

Drawing on field research as well as previous community art projects, Jittimma Pholsawek, Sompong Tawee, Chitava Muninto, Vichukorn Tangpaiboon, Wichai Juntavaro and Chumpon Apisuk investigate and translate struggles of local communities — including the Urak Lawoi tribe in Krabi — that strive to protect themselves from business interests and top-down policies.

The opening event tonight includes a discussion on the topic of coal business at 7.30pm with speakers Akradej Chakjinda, an activist opposing the coal-fired power-plant project in Krabi; Diao Thaleluek, an Urak Lawoi tribesmember and local Krabi villager; and Chariya Senpong, a campaigner with Greenpeace. Following the talk, live performances by six of the artists will be held from 8.30-11pm.

On the topic of coal, Roengchai and Roengrit Kongmuang’s black-and-white portraits of Mae Moh villagers affected by the coal-mining station and large power plant in northern Thailand are still imprinted in many BACC visitors’ minds. The exhibition, held at the BACC a few years ago, helped renew the debate on coal power plants’ effects on locals’ health. But later this month, the art-andculture centre will dedicate a large-scale exhibition to the larger topic of climate change. Co-organised by the Lucie Foundation, “Beyond The Air We Breathe: Addressing Causes And Effects Of Climate Change” will present photographs by renowned lensmen such as Steve McCurry, Sebastian Copeland and Tom Jacobi, starting on June 28.