THERE'S A GREAT NEW PROJECT AT SANAM LUANG CRYING OUT FOR MORE VISITORS AND ARTISTS

Sanam Luang’s Bangkok Art Avenue was quiet when we dropped by in the early afternoon one recent Sunday. There were not many booths or participants, and even those were more local passers-by rather than the young visitors they are hoping to see.

“When it first started, there were some famous artists coming to exhibit and sell their artworks,” said Wuttipong Ngamprasertsuk, 26, a frequent visitor to the Art Avenue. “But they gradually disappeared.
Visitors began to stop by less and less. More artists attract more visitors. But when the artists came, they didn’t see many other artists and stopped coming. When the artists stopped, the visitors also stopped coming because they didn’t see as many artists as they expected.

“It’s sad because this was a good idea,” said the senior student in Communication Design at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University.

Bangkok Art Avenue was initiated early this year, aiming to promote art and culture among the young people under a cooperative venture with the Thailand Environment Institute, the Society for Conservation of National Treasures and Environment, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

There are booths of second-hand books discounted by 50 per cent, hand-made books, postcards, portrait sketches, and art and design works. There are also art lessons, performances in mime, music, dance and puppetry, as well as bicycle and tram cultural tours around Rattanakosin Island.

“We’d love to have students and the public come to exhibit their art and perform,” said Aphinya Kingsuphan, coordinator of the Thailand Environment Institute’s Towards Physical and Environmental Development and Art and Cultural Conservation on History Canals (Rattanakosin) Project.

“It doesn’t cost you anything. You can just phone in and offer your agenda.”

Bangkok Art Avenue is open every Saturday and Sunday. The art lessons run from 10am to 6pm, and the booths are open between noon and 8pm. The lessons are free and cater to students’ interests. Typical classes include cartoon drawing, art composition, colour theory, pencil drawing and painting.

“There are some visitors who show interest in the class, but not many actually sit down and take a lesson,” said Wuttipong, who has been teaching art lessons at Bangkok Art Avenue for two weeks.

“It’s quite depressing. We have good intentions, and we want people to come get the knowledge. We don’t demand they take the class seriously, as they can just come to chat and share experiences about art.”

Wuttipong doesn’t make any money from his teaching.

On that Sunday, there were two Ramkhamhaeng University students who happened to walk by and decided to stop for the class. Wuttipong asked them to start by shading to get familiar with pencils and practise using their hands.

“I want Bangkok Art Avenue to continue,” said Kanokporn Klongtong, 21, who sat for the art class. “It gives life to the place. I hope that more people will come so they will know more about Sanam Luang. It’s not only a place for temples and making merit,” said the senior student in Hotel Management.
We were disappointed to see Bangkok Art Avenue empty, but after having a chat with the good-willed people there, we left with hope that it will indeed survive. By the way, one of us was offered a free
portrait sketch. An artist who thought we came to take the art class had no
customers, and wanted to practise his skills. A very nice touch.

Bangkok Art Avenue is located behind a figure of the Earth Goddess who gives water to the people (Klong Koo Muang Derm), opposite Rattanakosin Hotel, near Saman Luang. Each week’s activity is updated on Wednesday at www.tei.or.th. To reserve a booth or performance, or for further information, call (02) 503 3333 ext 207.

Rojana Manowalailao,
Suwicha Chanitnun
The Nation