The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).
Photo credit: Bangkoker / Shutterstock

Bangkok, one of the world’s most traveled cities, is turning its metropolis into a massive art gallery. In a place renowned for its food, culture, and many other tourist attractions, Bangkok’s city-wide art extravaganza is just another reason to visit the Thai capital.

Bangkok Art Biennale features more than 200 pieces from 75 artists all over the world, including paintings, installations, digital media, and performance art. The works can be found in 20 venues throughout the city, from galleries and cultural centers to mall atriums, banks, and even Buddhist Temples.

The mission of the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation (BAB) is to “engage and inspire diverse Thai, ASEAN, and international audiences by actively fostering recognition and appreciation of the contemporary art exhibitions.” BAB’s plan is to revitalize the art scene in Bangkok by supporting and producing art by Thai artists, organizing contemporary art experiences such as conferences and workshops, and developing high-profile art activities promoting Bangkok as a leader in the contemporary art scene (and as a top art destination).

“Visual art is a very powerful medium,” said Apinan Poshyananda, the exhibition’s art director. “The artists who are in the show can reveal their interpretation of Bangkok.”

A myriad topics are explored in the installations, including technology, climate change, pollution, refugees, and sex workers.

The majority of the artwork is being presented at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC), which is going through hard times financially. Board members are hoping this exhibition can restore BACC to its former glory.

“We’re experiencing some budget problems, but this place is still brimming with creativity,” said Pawit Mahasarinand, director of BACC. “Please support art, please help support BACC, and please send a message to everybody that art is important, and we need art in this city.”

The Bangkok Art Biennale is running now until February 3, 2019.