Thursday, April 18, 2013

Khmer Wings Over the City of Angels

The art of Peap Tarr and Lisa Mam in Bangkok, Thailand.



Peap mastered street art in his native New Zealand while  Lisa is the first female street artist with full Khmer descent to come out of Cambodia. Two incredibly talented and super cool artists. They both were in Bangkok recently and I fortunately had the opportunity to meet the incredibly talented duo.



Collaborating together, they produce some beautiful and unique artwork.



A friend of mine recently commissioned them to paint a section of his apartment in the Sathorn area of Bangkok.



The evening was filled with interesting art, food, wine, people and interesting conversations.



The view from the apartment was spectacular from this part of the city. Lisa paints a section of the balcony under the skyline of the central business district.



There are some great neighborhoods in this area and it is conveniently located to Sathon, Sala Daeng and Silom business districts.



Ever since the immigration department moved out to Chaeng Wattana I rarely make it to Soi Suan Plu anymore.



I really like this neighborhood and would have no qualms about living there someday.



I really like Lisa and Peap's collaborations together. It is very unique. Her colorful representations of life accentuate and contrast perfectly against his mostly black and white tribal patterns.



Recently, there has been a lot of interest in graffiti and street art in the city of Bangkok.



There were several different events this past month including the Bukruk festival, Living arts festival and smaller showings at nightclubs and art houses.



The result meant that many sections of the city were covered in fresh paint. Street art is visual art developed in public space.



The term street art can refer to all kinds of graffiti, sculpture, sticker art and street installations.



Check out his site here: http://peaptarrone.tumblr.com
 


Lisa (aka ‘Lil Dots’) is the first official female street artist in Cambodia. Her work can currently be seen in galleries, cultural centers, on billboards and on the sides of buildings all over Phnom Penh. Lisa wants Khmer graffiti and street art to be seen all around the world. She believes this will put urban Khmer art on the map and inspire Khmer Youth around the world to take pride in their culture.

Peap (Pee-Ap) is one passionate cat. When he’s not painting masterpieces, he can be found collaborating with hip-hop acts or launching a clothing label. Working almost exclusively in black and white, Peap’s tribalistic patterns take as much influence from his New Zealand home as they do from his Cambodian heritage. Peap is a member of Army Of Snipers, an international art collective created by Peap’s close friend Angry Woebots, and Klap Ya Handz, Cambodia’s first hip hop label. 







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Friday, April 5, 2013

The 34th Bangkok International Motor Show 2013

IMPACT Challenger Halls, Muang Thong Thani March 27 to April 7, 2013.

Located in Pak Kret (ปากเกร็ด) in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand just north of Bangkok and is easy to access from the city. I spent a couple of hours out there and would like to share with you some of the more interesting faces I was able to capture.

Bangkok International Motorshow Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้  © 2013 Michael LaPalme
รูปภาพ พริตตี้ มอเตอร์โชว์ 2013

บางกอก อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล มอเตอร์โชว์ ครั้งที่ 34 อาคารชาเลนเจอร์ 1-3 ศูนย์แสดงสินค้าและการประชุม อิมแพค เมืองทองธานี — at Impact Arena | เมืองทองธานี.

Bangkok International Motorshow Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้  © 2013 Michael LaPalme
รูปภาพ พริตตี้ มอเตอร์โชว์ 2013

This year Mazda, Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Ducati, Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce and others all provided a showcase for their vehicles.

Bangkok International Motorshow Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้  © 2013 Michael LaPalme
รูปภาพ พริตตี้ มอเตอร์โชว์ 2013



The most expensive cars in the show this year were unsurprisingly by Rolls-Royce & Lamborghini.

Bangkok International Motorshow Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้  © 2013 Michael LaPalme
รูปภาพ พริตตี้ มอเตอร์โชว์ 2013


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Wai Khru Ceremony at Wat Bang Pra 2013

The Blessing & Resuscitation of the Yantra Tattoos (พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ)

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

This year I had the good fortunate to be able to attend another Wai Khru Ceremony at Wat Bang Pra in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
Thousands of people came together to to celebrate & pay respect to the monks and ajarns at this provincial temple.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
I've written about this fascinating event before here.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
I left Bangkok early in the morning taking Route 338 driving towards Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม). The taxi I hailed did not know the way there and I had to provide directions. It is best to print the address & directions to the temple in both Thai and English languages before you go.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

We crossed the Chao Phraya river over the Krung Thon bridge and then made our way towards the elevated expressway which would bring us out of Bangkok and into Nakorm Pathom. As you depart the city from the west the city transforms from a concrete jungle to rice fields and country life.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

The temple sits on the banks of the slow moving Nakorn Chaisi river as it cuts its away across the central plains towards the sea.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

This is the front view of the temple as I was walking in the front gate. Over the last 5 years the temple has paved the main parking lot in asphalt and constructed several new buildings.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

Compared to Bangkok, life is very quiet and conservative here in the Thai countryside.   Friends of mine who arrived the night before shared stories of the festival type atmosphere which went on the previous evening.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

This all seems to have been burned away by the hot morning sun.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

Now it was time to get serious, pray and ทำบุญ make merit.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

The monks tattooed all through the night and now it was the time for their newly inked skin to be resuscitated, blessed and recharged.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

As the devotees pray and mediate laughter and screams can be heard all around the temple grounds.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

Some of the screams are almost sinister in nature, others comedic but all as serious as a heart attack.


พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
The energy within the temple compound was intense.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

As the pinnacle moment arises, some of the disciples loose all control, transform into the animal they have personified on their body and rush screaming at full speed towards the front of the temple.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
Many times they run, crash and hurt themselves or others on the hard parking lot asphalt.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556


Body snatchers lined up in defensive positions catch and calm the possessed by gently rubbing their ears.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556
I overhead two of the body snatchers talking about a foreigner who had broken their arm and had to be medically evacuated.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

After the ceremony the monks bless the disciples and attendees with holy water.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น วัดบางพระ 2556

For more information and other photos you can read one of my previous accounts.

พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra 2013 © Michael LaPalme
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ)
พิธีไหว้ครูหลวงพ่อเปิ่น(วัดบางพระ) วันเสาร์ที่ 23 มีนาคม 2556 เวลา 9.39 นาที ณ วัดบางพระ ต.บางแก้วฟ้า อ.นครชัยศรี จ.นครปฐม

There is an short video of the event on Lonely Planet here.





Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Bangkok's Deviant Street Art


The first large-scale collaboration between Thailand and European street artists. Kilos of fresh paint have been applied all over the city transforming ordinarily drab city walls into something creative and magical.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti




This was the first large-scale collaboration between Thailand and Europe in the field of street art.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

After just having returned from working in New York City I was disappointed to find that I had missed the Bukruk International Street Art Festival.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

Street art is visual art. It can be found in almost every city. I've noticed more and more fresh paint over the last decade.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, sculpture, stencil graffiti, sticker art and other types of guerrilla artwork.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

For some it is difficult to distinguish between contemporary public-space artwork and that from graffiti and vandalism.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti
A portion of Us and Them Mural in the back of Siam Square by Alex Face.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The area from Siam Square to Rama 6 is actually quite large and if you do not know the exact location could lead to a lot of ground work too.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

I am not surprised that they used the old abandoned buildings at the front of the Petchaburi Soi 18 community along the Saen Saeb canal.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

From the 4 Headed Elephant bridge over Phaya Thai road come down the stairs next to the pier. From the pier you can see many different works on both sides of the canal.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

Viewing each piece from different angles and perspectives reveals hidden stories and meanings.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

These large pieces above are located in the city blocks directly next to the Saem Saeb canal & Ratchatewi BTS on the same side of Phaya Thai road as Siam Paragon.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

This neighborhood consisting of 3 and 4 story block apartments is what most of Bangkok looked like 20 to 30 years ago.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

I would not be surprised to see this stretch of land be developed as a condo, hotel or another fancy mall by the end of the next decade.

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti
European artists (15):
Amandine Urruty & Nicolas Barrome: France / Low Bros: Germany / Hattie Stuart & Ben Eine: England / Ibie & San: Spain / Daan Botlek & Rick Hedof: Netherland / Akacorleone & Kruela Denfer: Portugal / Dem: Italy / Saddo: Romania / Bonom: Belgium

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti


Thai artists (11):
Alex Face – Bon – Haritorn Akarapat – Kobby – Unchalee Anantawat – TRK – Mamafaka – P7 – Rukkit – Tawan Wattuya – Yuree Kensaku

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

http://bukruk.com/festival/about-the-festival/

Bangkok Street Art © 2013 Michael LaPalme
Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The artwork is located in various spots around Pathumwan from Siam Square to Ratchatewi to Rama VI roads.

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