Absurdity in Paradise
Opening: Thursday, August 30, 2018, 7pm
Exhibition: 31.08. - 28.10.2018
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 6pm
(Opening hours for the museum night on 1.9.2018: 17h - 1h)
Curator: Pichaya Aime Suphavanij
For 25 years the Kasseler Kunstverein has been showing its exhibitions in the Museum Fridericianum. On the occasion of this anniversary, we are pleased to be able to show an unique selection of Thailand’s contemporary art on a multiple of our usual exhibition space.
Absurdity in Paradise plays with the paradox of Thailand as a paradisiacal place of yearnings. With video and media works, photographs and spacious installations, fourteen contemporary Thai artists illuminate the fracture points of present-day Thailand. Pixelated uniforms, dancing fabrics and golden tears are among their approaches in dealing with central themes such as tradition, monarchy, religion, society and mankind.
In addition to renowned artists such as Arin Rungjang and Korakrit Arunanondchai, the exhibition will also feature young artists such as Alisa Chunchue and Harit Srikhao. In doing so, internationally acclaimed works stand alongside new works created especially for the Kasseler Kunstverein.
Absurdity in Paradise invites you to discover new artistic positions outside the typical European field of vision and to look behind the scenes of a paradise and our own yearnings.
The exhibition is curated by the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC), Bangkok's premier and largest contemporary art museum.
Exhibiting artists:
Alisa Chunchue, Arin Rungjang, Ekachai Eksaroj, Harit Srikhao, Kanich Khajohnsri, Kawita Vatanajyankur, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Nuttapon Sawasdee, Paphonsak La-or, Pratchaya Phinthong, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Sakarin Krue-on, Somboon Hormtientong.
Thai contemporary art is gaining more and more international acclaim. For example, the presence of Thai art has skyrocketed at the last three documenta exhibitions. In 2016, the exhibition "Thailand Eye" at the Saatchi Gallery, London attracted the attention of the international art scene. In 2017, the work "246247596248989102516 ... And then there were none" by Arin Rungjang was one of the crowd pullers of documenta 14. From July to September 2018, the internationally top-class Bangkok Biennale will take place in Thailand.
With the exhibition "Absurdity in Paradise", the Kasseler Kunstverein is showing a unique exhibition dedicated exclusively to contemporary Thai art for the first time in Germany.
As an important place of contemporary art the Fridericianum opened in 1779 as the world's first museum conceived for the public and has been the main location of the documenta since its founding in 1955. Our thanks go to documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH, which allows us to use the Fridericianum for this special occasion.
The exhibition is supported by the cultural office of the City of Kassel
cdw Stiftung
Citymanagement der Stadt Kassel
Goethe-Institut Thailand
GWH Wohnungsgesellschaft Kassel
Impulse für Kassel Stiftung
Kassel Marketing
Volksbank Kassel Göttingen