“Khao Yai Art” at Bangkok Kunsthalle and Khao Yai Art Forest

“Khao Yai Art” is an endeavor founded by distinguished philanthropist, art collector and patron of the arts Marisa Chearavanont in 2023 whose mission is to showcase extraordinary and cutting-edge works by living artists and to underscore their connection to the healing power of nature. Leveraging two vehicles, namely the Bangkok Kunsthalle and the Khao Yai Art Forest, both located in Thailand, Khao Yai Art is set to establish a new cultural destination that seamlessly blends art with the natural environment, in Bangkok and in the Khao Yai National Park.

The architect and distinguished curator, Stefano Rabolli Pansera, relocated to Bangkok to join the Khao Yai Art team as director and serve a pivotal role in achieving its mission: to showcase the work of cutting-edge living artists and to revitalize our relationship with nature through learning, nurturing, and active engagement. His guiding mandate is to create an alternative model for art, healing, and interaction with nature. Through the integration of art, food, and education, Khao Yai Art will challenge cultural norms, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and ultimately redefine the relationship between humans and the natural world.

“Khao Yai Art will be at the epicenter of a dialogue between many of the world’s leading artists, musicians, chefs, scientists, philosophers, writers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and opinion leaders,” says founder Marisa Chearavanont. “Art, food, education and innovation are the tools we have in hand to challenge cultural norms, foster interdisciplinary exchange and redefine the relationship between humans and nature.”

Bangkok Kunsthalle is a vibrant cultural institution, inclusive, open to all, and dedicated to showcasing art, cinema, music, dance, literature, architecture, and other creative disciplines. Located in the historic Thai Wattana Panich building in central Bangkok, the site of former printing house ravaged by fire in 2001, the Kunsthalle redefines the role of a traditional museum by fostering active engagement by artists and innovation. Its raw, industrial spaces serve as a powerful platform for groundbreaking exhibitions, each transforming a unique area within the brutalist structure.

Through program of experimental exhibitions and public programs, Bangkok Kunsthalle is positioning itself as a hub for creative dialogue in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Since its opening in January 2024 with a show by French filmmaker and video artist Michel Auder, the Kunsthalle has continued to push boundaries, currently featuring Yoko Ono’s “Mend Piece.” With four major exhibitions annually, featuring both international and Thai artists, the institution also offers a dynamic public program, including artist talks, lectures, workshops, screenings, and readings, providing context and fostering discussions on relevant cultural topics. Guided by an artist-driven approach, the institution commissions site-specific works that resonate with the building’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, bringing new life to its once fire- damaged spaces through thoughtful, original artists interventions.

Khao Yai Art Forest is a new paradigm for a nature-based institution. Its Thai name, “SilaPaa” stems from two Thai words, “Silapa” and “Paa,” meaning Art and Forest respectively, is a moniker for a space where art and nature coexist in perfect harmony, reflecting the institution’s ambition which is to advance, support, and realize the visionary proposals of artists in a natural environment. It welcomes commissioned large-scale works and site-specific installations that explore the relationship between art and the natural environment. Khao Yai Art Forest emphasizes the concept of healing through art, recognizing that by caring for nature, we also care for ourselves.

Going beyond traditional mindfulness activities, Khao Yai Art Forest seeks to recover the lost complexities and vitalities of nature through an artful engagement with the environment. Since its inception, the institution has remained committed to challenging and enriching the human relationship with nature by supporting artists whose work contributes to this dialogue. Through its Research and Public Programs, including talks, workshops, and symposiums, Khao Yai Art Forest fosters knowledge exchange across diverse backgrounds and disciplines, transforming the Khao Yai area into a vibrant arts destination with international appeal.

at Bangkok Kunsthalle and Khao Yai Art Forest
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