See the khon dance through the lens

Moca Bangkok presents “Khon+Future”, a charitable photograpy exhibition that portrays khon artists from the Support Foundation, until Nov 6.

Held to promote the cultural tradition of

khon masked dance, the exhibition features 61 high-quality photographs of 10 Thai khon artists as captured by three photographers — Kit Bencharongkul, William Barrington-Binns and Kanrapee Chokpaiboon.

Khon is a classic art form in Thailand that has been enjoyed for centuries. It has been praised internationally since its inscription to Unesco’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018.

According to Dr Anucha Thirakanont, assistant producer of the Foundation’s annual khon performance, each show involves many different people — dancers, musicians, ballad reciters, composers, mask and regalia makers, weavers, embroiderers, set and prop makers, as well as master choreographers and ceremonial officiants.

“These cultural practitioners are the most vital resources for the survival of khon today and in the future,” he said.

With the support by Unesco, the exhibition is aimed to raise funds for an art scholarship programme to support young artists and artisans in Thailand.

The exhibition is open for public viewing at Temporary Exhibition Galleries 1 and 2 of Moca Bangkok, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, daily from 10am to 6pm, except Monday.

Visit mocabangkok.com or call 02-016-5666.