Sunday, February 7, 2010

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE GIVES ROARING START TO FESTIVE HONG KONG 2010

Procession showcases festivals of all seasons on new parade route

Set to take place on the first evening of the Chinese New Year (14 February), the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will follow a new route in Tsim Sha Tsui this year. As the premiere event of Festive Hong Kong 2010, the spectacle will offer visitors and residents the opportunity of experiencing some of the world’s most unique festivals and Hong Kong’s cultural fusion. To encourage visitors to come join the celebrations during this peak travel season, the HKTB is stepping up its promotional effort in the source markets. It is also encouraging the local businesses to seize the opportunity by remaining open or extending their hours on the night of the Parade.


For the 12th consecutive year, Cathay Pacific Airways is the title sponsor of the Parade. Mr Tony Tyler, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways said, “Cathay Pacific is proud to once again have its name attached to the International Chinese New Year Night Parade. As Hong Kong’s home airline, Cathay Pacific is committed to staging events that help make our city an even more vibrant place to be. What’s great about this spectacular parade is the way it brings together tens of thousands of local people and tourists to celebrate one of the most important times in the Chinese calendar.”
Festive and Interactive Elements to Encourage Active Participation

Using Festive Hong Kong 2010 as the theme, this year's Chinese New Year Parade will comprise of four major segments: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Through a variety of performances, it will showcase Hong Kong’s fusion of Chinese and Western festivities. Lining the parade route will be giant decorations symbolising a number of important festivals in Hong Kong, such as the Chinese bun for Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Santa for Christmas and pumpkins for Halloween. The HKTB will also arrange for motivators to perform, play interactive games and hand out small gifts to spectators, so that each participant along the parade route can totally soak in the festive atmosphere.
Forty Performing Troupes to Debut on the New Route

The HKTB has adopted the suggestions for a new parade route from the travel industry. For the first time, the procession will enter Nathan Road. As well as a novel experience, visitors and residents can enjoy the Parade conveniently. For the third consecutive year, American Express International, Inc. is the sponsor of the parade route.

This year, the first day of the Lunar New Year coincides with Valentine's Day. The HKTB is encouraging local businesses, especially large-scale shopping centres and restaurants, along the parade route to stay open or extend their hours into the night, so that visitors and residents can also shop and dine before or after the Parade.

The 15th staging of the Chinese New Year Parade will feature a strong line-up, with a total of 40 performing groups from 14 countries and regions, including 14 elaborately decorated floats, 13 international and 13 local performing troupes. Among these, 18 groups are making their debut appearance this year, including such internationally famous teams as Notting Hill Carnival from the UK, Morioka Sansa Odori Dance from Japan, the Arezzo Flag Wavers from Italy and the Paris Firemen from France.

To sustain the excitement after the Parade, the HKTB will arrange the display of the floats and performances by local and international troupes in Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin and Tai Po from the second to the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.

(For more information about the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade, please refer to the attached factsheet)
About Festive Hong Kong 2010

Festive Hong Kong 2010 is the annual marketing platform of the HKTB in 2010-11. The platform is designed to encourage visitors to come and experience the plethora of traditional festivals and cultural celebrations that could only be found in Hong Kong. Throughout the year, the HKTB will organise a series of mega events, which will be promoted along with the traditional festivals and celebrations, as well as major events organised by third parties. The HKTB aims to further elevate Hong Kong’s image as the Events Capital of Asia, and create a business platform for the tourism-related sectors in the city.

Friday, January 29, 2010

'A Path to Enlightenment' . . . the Art of Dharma' art exhibition from now until 27 Feb. 2010

A Path to Enlightenment . . .
the Art of Dharma
by Komkrit Sawatdirom & Paramat Lueng-on
Gossip Gallery @Silom Galleria
From now until February 27th, 2010
‘You can do your own work, for I can teach only the way.’
Dhammapada

After having sponsored several relatively frantic events in 2009, Gossip Gallery @Silom Galleria plans to start off the New Year with an exhibition that promises to focus on the serene and spiritual. Entitled ‘A Path to Enlightenment’ . . . the Art of Dharma, this exhibition will artistically focus on the true philosophy behind the Lord Buddha’s teachings. It will feature the paintings of two award winning, contemporary, Thai painters, Komkrit Sawatdirom and Paramat Lueng-on.

from Enlightenment . . .
From now until February 3rd, 2010
By Komkrit Sawatdirom

The exhibition at the Gossip Gallery will be divided into two parts. The first part, ‘Enlightenment’, will feature 17 acrylic paintings by Komkrit Sawatdirom. The roots of the artist’s inspiration are the basic teachings of the Lord Buddha which stress that our life experiences are a series of opposites – happiness and disappointment, birth and death, etc. - which go hand in hand. The Lord Buddha once said ‘No one can escape death and unhappiness. If people expect only happiness in life, they will be disappointed.’ Since such contrasting experiences are a necessary part of our lives, the artist feels that to make the most of our existence, we should accept and embrace the good with the bad. He believes that our everyday problems can be overcome if the basic principles of morality and virtue are taken into consideration. To highlight this concept, Khun Komkrit has symbolically incorporated pure, gold leaves into some of his work. Critics have called the results are phenomenal and truly exquisite. ‘Enlightenment’ by Komkrit Sawatdirom will be on viewed from now until February 3rd.
. . . to Wisdom
February 5th – 27th, 2010
by Paramat Lueng-on

Following a theme similar to Khun Komkrit, Paramat Lueng-on illustrates the principles of ‘Wisdom’ as preached by the Lord Buddha in his collection which consists of eight acrylic paintings. Since the Lord Buddha’s teachings emphasize that life is represented by a series of contracts, the obvious conclusion that follows is that suffering is also a part of our lives. This fact cannot be denied, but the impact can be minimized if wisdom is employed. The Lord Buddha once said that ‘the path to end suffering is known as the middle way.’ Inspired by this philosophy, Khun Paramat utilizes tranquil but compelling colors in his works in an attempt to minimize the impact of suffering and create his ‘middle way’. The second part of the exhibition, ‘Wisdom’ by Paramat Lueng-on, will be exhibited from February 5th to 27th, 2010.

Khun Siripa Chotchung, managing director of Gossip Gallery describes her motivation in sponsoring this exhibition: ‘Given the generally depressing events that have occurred in 2009, I decided to do something for the public that is comparatively uplifting, that will hopefully serve as a source of hope to at least some of the people who view it. The exhibition by these two talented artists will certainly demonstrate the true beauty of Thai art. But I hope that viewers will also be impressed by the way they have incorporated the basic teaching of the Lord Buddha into their exceptional collections. To further emphasize the link to Buddhism, from now to February 27th, 2010; Gossip Gallery will essentially become a ‘Buddhist temple’. Besides the exquisite painting of our exhibiting artists, the general public will have a chance to pay homage to a replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarath, a well-known Buddha statue from Phitsanulok era.’ (This replica of Phra Phutta Chinnarath, provided by Laemthong Amulet Center @ 3rd Floor, Silom Galleria, is considered rare and priceless.)

All paintings from ‘A Path to Enlightenment’ . . . the Art of Dharma exhibition are available for purchase. Interested collectors or anyone who would like more information on these amazing contemporary works of art by Komkrit Sawatdirom and Paramat Lueng-on, should contact Khun Siripa Chotchung at (02) 237-5568 and (089) 812-2589 or Khun Chonticha Choochart at (081) 440-3896 or visit the Gallery’s website: www.gossipgallerybkk72.com. Email address: gossipgallery@gmail.com. Gossip Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday viewings are by appointment only.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A Humorous Take on Japanese and Thai Cultures Shigehiro Ide Leads Cross-Cultural Dance Theatre Collaboration

Award-winning Japanese choreographer, Shigehiro Ide, director of the Idevian Crew, will bring together the dancers from Japan and Thailand to embark on the collaboration project “KOKASHITA” to amuse the audience with his humorous take on the two Asian cultures. Presented by The Japan Foundation, “KOKASHITA” will be performed in Chiang Mai and Bangkok in late January.


Produced by the international performing arts festival, ‘Festival/Tokyo’, the first version of “KOKASHITA” was presented during the festival in March 2009 in Tokyo, after 40 days of intensive rehearsal between the Japanese performers and their six Thai counterparts who were selected in an earlier audition in Bangkok. They include dancer Kanison Youngprampree; actor and director Grisana Punpeng; dancer, actor, writer and TV producer Korakot Puangsawad; dancing twins Chanchana and Chayanuch Akjiratikarl; and the 8X8 Theatre comedian Akeera Modesakoon.

“KOKASHITA” is a Japanese term describing the space beneath Tokyo’s elevated rail tracks and highways — a feature shared by the Bangkok cityscape. In his choreography, Ide uses the idea of these small gaps to illustrate the gaps and differences between the two cultures. Gestures, movements and snippets of everyday life in Japan and Thailand are transformed to spark off comic, intriguing and thought-provoking theatrical moments.

The Tokyo premiere of “KOKASHITA” has received huge attention from the contemporary dance community and won acclaims from both the critics and audiences alike. The Japanese and Thai performers will reunion in Patravadi Theatre for 20 days to further develop and bring a new version to the Bangkok public.

Shigehiro Ide is a versatile Japanese artist whose works have received international attention. Ide is known for his ability in bringing out the unique personalities of the performers - among them, some are not formally trained as dancers – to create an idiosyncratic stage that connects life and performance. Ide’s works extend across different media and cultures. He recently collaborated with the band Tokyo Incidents led by popular singer-songwriter Ringo Shiina, and had created choreography for English dance company Diversions.

Among the awards that Shigehiro Ide received are the Audience Award at the German Arena Festival (1995), the Outstanding Staff Award of the 11th Yomiuri Theater Grand Prix Awards, The 3rd Asahi Beer Arts Foundation Award and the 2nd Japan Dance Forum Award.
Performance “KOKASHITA”
CHIANG MAI
Date/Time: 24 January 2010 (Sun.) 19.00 hrs.
Venue: Theater of Chiang Mai University Art Center
Admission: FREE
BANGKOK
Date/Time: 29 January 2010 (Fri.) 20.00 hrs.
Venue: Theatre-in-the-Garden, Patravadi Theatre
Tickets: 300, 100 Baht

Tickets are now available at Total Reservation, www.totalreservation.com or hotline 02-833-5555 to book the tickets. Total Reservation outlets: Siam Paragon, Emporium, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, BTS Mo Chit, BTS Victory Monument, The Mall: Bangkae, Bangkapi, Thapra, Ramkhamhaeng and Ngamwongwan.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

6 February 2010 The “Monthly Art & Antique Auction”

The Riverside Auction House will hold its monthly auction on February 6, 2010, starting 1.30 p.m. at the Arcade area on the first floor of the River City Shopping Complex, Charoen Krung 24.


Among 200 lots are ceramics, blue & white porcelains, monochromes and polychromes from the Far East; Thai and Khmer grazed ceramics and potteries; antique bronze and silver objects of Southeast Asia; Chinese and Burmese woodcarving as well as collectible European objects d’art.

All lots will be on view at the same venue on February 1 –5, 2010 at 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Illustrated catalogues will be available at the Preview Room.
The Highlight of the arts & antiques in this month are:

1. A polychrome porcelain double-gourd vase painted with peonies and floral vine scrolls pattern. (Japanese, Kutani, early 20th century)

2. A polychrome porcelain stem dish painted with panels of court lady with metal stand. (Chinese, Ching)

3. A carved and repoussé silver rice bowl decorated with Ramayana epic scene. (Burmese, early 20th century)

4. A silver cigarette case printed with (Lithography) Prince Damrong Rajanubhap. (Thai, early Bangkok, early – 20th century)

5. A tortoise shell dressing set with covered box. (European, late 19th century)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Asian –European Artists Gather at Patravadi Theatre

The BOW Project Celebrates Contemporary Dance, Film and Music From Around the World


The BOW Project artists from Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, New York, Malaysia, Belgium and Beijing will bring together “The Final BOW” an evening of dance, film and music from around the world on 16 January 2010 at Patravadi Theatre.

The BOW Project is a cross-cultural collaboration of five artists from Asia and Europe. They are film/dance artist Rannvá Káradóttir ( Denmark), dancer/choreographers Cathy Seago (UK), Shi Jing Xin (China), Mei-Yin Ng (Malaysia) and composer/musician Emmanuel Bally (Belgium), who first met in 2007 in Beijing during the cross cultural exchange project Pointe-to-point. The BOW Project is about exchanging and renewing ideas about movement, from within their own and other cultures. The artists will produce a live performance event “The Final Bow” at Patravadi Theatre and a short film which will go on to be shown at Festivals to international audiences during 2010.

An evening to conclude their three-week residency in Thailand, in“The Final BOW”, the five artists will bring from home a piece of work to be presented in a mixed bill in the first half of the program. In the second half of the program, the artists will present the creation a new performance “BOW” which is the product of their residency. “BOW” is an intertextual dance and music performance where the artists move across genres to connect through a collective performance. Also will be shown during the evening is a documentary “Amazing Grace” made by Ans Kanen and Han de Bruin during Pointe to Point 5th Asia Europe Dance Forum.

Workshops on dance, music and film will also be conducted by the artists during their residency at Patravadi Theatre. Please contact the theatre by email patravaditheatre@gmail.com or call 024127287 for details.

The BOW project is supported by the Asia Europe Foundation as a follow project of the 5th Asia Europe Dance Forum.

EVENT: “The Final BOW” an evening of dance, live music and film from around the world.
DATE/TIME: 16 Jan 2010 (Sat) 7:30pm
VENUE: Theatre-in-the-Garden, Patravadi Theatre
TICKETS: 300B. 100B (Student)

Tickets are now available at Total Reservation, the public can contact www.totalreservation.com or hotline 02-833-5555 to book the tickets. Total Reservation branches: Siam Paragon, Emporium, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, BTS Mo Chit, BTS Victory Monument, The Mall: Bangkae, Bangkapi, Thapra, Ramkhamhaeng, Ngamwongwan.

Visit www.patravaditheatre.com, www.bowproject.wordpress.com for more information on The BOW Project.
Press inquiry:
Toby To (International Programme Director, Patravadi Theatre)
patravaditheatre@gmail.com 02412 7287-8 (Tel) 08 9153 0682 (mobile)
PROGRAMME of “The Final BOW”

With works from Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, New York, Malaysia, Belgium and Beijing we present a program of dance, film and music from around the world. The five artists have brought from home a piece of work which is presented here in Patravadi Theatre in a mixed bill in the first half of the programme. In the second half of the programme, a newly-created piece BOW by all participating artists during their residency in Thailand will be premiered.
1. Rannvá Káradóttir ( Denmark)
Title: Memotech / Memotekið - 5.58 min.
Media: Dance film
2. Cathy Seago (UK)
Title: Concept excerpts from DUOD
Media: Dance performance
3. Shi Jing Xin (China)

Title:Xia Xie Bo Wa-White/A dance for the God - 8.min (excerpt of “Peace plan into Tibet” 2009)?Media: Dance performance and Video
4. Mei-Yin Ng (Malaysia)
Title: Cinderella Toe Jam
Media: Dance
5. Emmanuel Bally (Belgium)
Title: choral III variations ?Media: Music
--- INTERVAL 15.MIN ---
6. Title: BOW
Devised, Developed and Performed by: Cathy Seago, Shi Jing Xin, Mei-Yin NG
Music by: Emmanuel Baily and the Wang Wei Quartet
Film: Rannva Karadottir

An intertextual dance and music performance where the artists move across genres and connect through a collective performance, gathering their individual experience of this journey though the wide range of cultures and practices represented.

• During the evening the documentary Amazing Grace, made by Ans Kanen and Jan de Bruin during Pointe to Point 5th Asia Europe Dance Forum will be shown.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

‘Roses of the North’ Charity Exhibition

Flowers can make everyone feel happy…. H.E.Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwanrath and Thanpuying Dhasaniya Suwanrath recently presided over at ‘Roses of the North’ charity oil painting exhibition inspired by Bhubing Palace organized by L’Occitane and Baan Saen Doi Resort in Chiang Mai. The art of mercy rose oil painting exhibition was held at Peninsula Plaza and part of sales went to support schools and hospitals where are needed in Chiang Mai. Many kind hearted celebrities attended the event including Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, Mr.Harald Link, Arunee Bhirombhakdi, Atchara Tejapaibul, M.L.Sirichalerm Svasti, M.L.Thongmakut and Jarujit Thongyai, Yuwadee and Nidsinee Chirathivat, Dararatana and Toey Mahadumrongkul, Chadapah Snidvongs, Captain Deuntemduang Na Chiengmai, Pimpawan Limpichart, Joy Sopitpongstorn, Panitnuj Bunnag, Piranuj T.Suwan, Sodsoi Chomthavat, Mayura Savetsila, Wanchana Sawasdee and more.

The exhibition showcased of over 70 oil painting of roses flowers by artist and art lecturer Narin Phothisombat. Narin Phothisombat is a talented artist with an art degree from Chiang Mai Technology Rajchamonkol. His painting was inspired by roses from Phra Tamnak Bhubing Rajanives (Bhubing Palace). His painting reflected his pride and passions towards the beauty of nature for roses including Queen Sirikit, Eliza, Rouge Meilland, Queen Elizabeth and Royal Air Force.

In addition there was the charity auction on 2 oil painting pieces. The first one was the painting of Queen Elizabeth which won by Harald Link, CEO of B.Grimm for 120,000 Baht and the other piece on Queen Sirikit won by Arunee Bhirombhakdi for 75,000 Baht.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

“TWIST AND SHOUT”

A Contemporary Art Exhibition from Japan In Celebration of Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009


The Japan Foundation and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre proudly present “Twist and Shout”, an exhibition of contemporary art by forefront Japanese contemporary artists.

To be shown at the BACC from November 2009 to January 2010, the exhibition will introduce for the first time, a major contemporary art show from Japan rooted in Japanese pop culture, inspired by such genre as manga and anime, and placing a special focus on new trends that have emerged in the Japanese subculture in recent years.

Curated by Kenji Kubota, an independent curator and Yoko Nose, a curator of the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, “Twist and Shout” is the major survey of the art movement that acutely reflects various aspects of the Japanese contemporary society and the psyche of the people. Powerful statements and insights are made through paintings, installations, video art, sculpture, photography, and even a six foot-high moving robot and an entourage of forty little ones, the exhibition represents a dynamic exploration of the visual arts subculture, with imaginative elements and subliminal messages relevant to society and history. The show will contain some forty works by 17 Japanese artists.

It is not uncommon to find in the Thai city life, elements of the Japanese popular culture in the forms of manga, anime, games, music and movies, and as well its influences extending into aspects of daily life such as food, clothing and design. “Twist and Shout” art exhibition hope to provide a viewing of these elements in the context of their land of origin, and a rare opportunity to the Thai audience to glance at the relationship between contemporary Japanese society and its imagination. With this respect, the exhibition will give rise to a more nuanced understanding of the Japanese society, leading to a better dialogue between the two societies. There will also be talk sessions during the exhibition period.

“Twist and Shout” exhibition is part of the Mekong-Japan Exchange year 2009. The exhibition will be on view from 19 November 2009 to 10 January 2010, at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Pathumwan Junction. The BACC is open daily ,10am – 9pm, Mondays closed. The entry is free.