Informal Northern Thai Group Bulletin

Transcription

1 Informal Northern Thai Group Bulletin 8 November, MINUTES OF THE 396 TH INTG MEETING: Tuesday, 13 October, 2015, Cinema at the Bazaar: The Saeng Tawan Cinema and the (possible) Future of Chiang Mai s Night Bazaar - A Talk by Philip Jablon 2. NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER10, DECEMBER MEETING: TUESDAY, DECEMBEER 15, LIST OF FUTURE INTG MEETINGS 5. NEWS & ANNNOUNCEMENTS 6. INTG CONTACTS: CONVENOR - SECRETARY - WEBSITE 1. MINUTES OF THE 396 TH INTG MEETING: Tuesday, 13 October, 2015 Cinema at the Bazaar: The Saeng Tawan Cinema and the (possible) Future of Chiang Mai s Night Bazaar - A Talk by Philip Jablon 1.1. PRESENT : Bonnie Brereton, John Cadet, Paul Chambers, Omae Desu, Eric Eustache, Louis Gabaude, Terence Harkin, Jason Lubanski, Richard Miller, Patrick Morel, Sharon Prudoff, Amalia Rossi, Angelie Sitsch, Horst Sitsch, Gary Suwannarat, Rebecca Weldon, Bruce Weniger. A total of 17 signed. Actually present: SUMMARY OF THE TALK given by PHILIP JABLON: Cinema at the Bazaar By the middle decades of the 20 th century, the countries of Southeast Asia were in the midst of a great effort towards modernization, adapting modernist trends in architecture and planning to preexisting indigenous forms. An affinity for cinema accompanied this move towards modernity, resulting in thousands of artistically designed, highly-crafted stand-alone movie theaters across the region. Almost every urban area large or small could boast of at least one, as trips to the movies came to represent an important leisure activity. Today, the stand-alone movie theaters of Southeast Asia are teetering on the brink of obsolescence. In places like Thailand, they re almost complete gone, replaced by shopping malls and multiplexes. Through documentary photography and film making, the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project is building an awareness and appreciation of these structures with the final goal of ensuring that at least one stand-alone movie theater is renovated and preserved in every country of ASEAN. In so doing, each theater will represent an invaluable cultural resource which can never be replicated. They will serve as physical landmarks of local pasts, while connecting that past to the present.

2 Of the theaters thus far surveyed by the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project, 4 have been identified for potential renovation or, in the case of one, continued operation. They are: 1. The Siang Savanh Cinema Luang Prabang, Laos. As a UNESCO World Heritage city, Luang Prabang s Siang Savanh Cinema is an obvious choice for renovation. It lies in the heart of the city and is in good condition. Moreover, Luang Prabang is now home to an annual film festival (The Luang Prabang Film Festival) which is in need of a permanent, indoor venue. Photographs Courtesy LG 5/11/ The Sang Tawan Theater Chiang Mai, Thailand (Photograph Courtesy Philip Jablon) Chiang Mai is a rapidly developing city in Thailand s north, with a strong cultural heritage tourism sector. Today it has one remaining stand-alone movie theater, ideally situated at one of the city s most prominent intersections. Dating to 1978, this elegant modern theater boasts a terra cotta mosaic on the façade depicting traditional northern Thai society. Despite its architectural and geographic significance, the Sang Tawan s façade is covered in billboards, while the rest of the structure is misused as a warehouse. If renovated and returned to it s original use, it could be a unique cultural anchor and axis point for the revival of one of Chiang Mai s most important neighborhoods. 3. The Nang Loeng Cinema or the Sala Chalerm Thani Bangkok, Thailand (Photograph Courtesy Philip Jablon) The Nang Loeng Cinema, also known as the Sala Chalerm Thani Cinema, stands in the historic Nang Loeng neighborhood. In years past, the Nang Loeng neighborhood was considered the kitchen of the royal household and thus developed a thriving economy. The Cinema was built in 1918 as part of the Siam Cinema Co.. The structure currently is one of only two movie theater structures in Thailand to have certification by the Association of Siamese Architects. The building is made of corrugated tin and wood and represents a very early form of Thai movie theater architecture. 2

3 It s current condition is not great due to years of little up-keep. However, if restored and brought back to life it could be billed as the oldest active movie theater in all of Asia a title that would make the Nang Loeng Cinema into a guaranteed tourist attraction. 4. The Scala Theater Bangkok, Thailand (Photograph Courtesy Philip Jablon) The Scala Theater is the only remaining movie theater in Thailand that can qualify as a movie palace. It s still screens current movies on a daily basis as one of only two remaining theaters operated by the Apex circuit, once Thailand largest movie exhibition company. The theater is great condition, however it faces an uncertain future. The landlord of Siam Square (where the Scala stands) would like to redevelop the entire neighborhood into a series of lifestyle shopping malls. Original plans called for the destruction of the Scala to make room for the new shopping malls. If these plans are followed, Thailand would be losing a true architectural masterpiece which has already been recognized as historically important by the Association of Siamese Architects. Given its ideal location beside a key BTS station, the Scala could continue to be an easily accessible and economically viable piece of cultural capital well into the future if it is maintained. Sources about the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project Compiled by LG Website on the Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project: Gallery - Interview of Philip Jablon: "Preserving Southeast Asia's Movie Palaces Through Photography" August 20th, 2012, by Tahiat Mahboob SOURCE: Gohl, Cody. "Exit, Stage Left" - Interview of Philip Jablon by Cody Gohl - Citylife Chiang Mai - April 30, SOURCE: Jablon, Philip. The Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project SOURCE: Jablon, Philip. The Decline of Thailand's Stand-alone Movie Theaters and the Contraction of the Urban Commons: A Social History of Modernity - Thesis - Chiang Mai : The Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, SOURCE: Chap. I - The Origins of the Movie Theatre in Thailand SOURCE: Chap. II - Modernity, Development and Redundancy: The Rise and Fall of the Stand-Alone Theater in Thailand - SOURCE: Chap. III - Analysis of Change in Bangkok's Movie Theater Geography SOURCE: 3

4 Chap. IV - The Binds Between Movie Theater and Community in Chiang Mai SOURCE: Chap. V - The Declining Neighborhood Movie Theater and the Rise of the Multiplex SOURCE: Chap. VI - Conclusion - SOURCE: 2. NEXT MEETING (397 TH ) : Tuesday, 10 November, 2015, 7:30 pm at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai Governing Hmongs in Thailand: Political Networks and Spaces A Talk by David Chambers The Talk: Much research done about Hmong people in Thailand has fallen into a territorial trap that often groups the Hmong of Thailand into one single group in terms of group political identity and experience. This talk will look at the divisions of Hmong along lines of political vision from the perspective of refugee Hmong populations in Thailand versus Hmong that have resided longer in Thailand. The speaker s research investigates how these groups/categories are viewed/ignored by themselves (Hmong people) and others (ethnic outsiders) and in turn how these actors govern and work to develop Hmong people in Thailand. The Speaker: David Chambers is a PhD student in Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He became interested in Hmong people at a young age. He grew up in Merced, CA, where there is a sizable Hmong population and did volunteer work in Thailand. It was this experience that allowed him to become acquainted with Hmong people in Thailand. 3. DECEMBER MEETING (398 TH ) : Tuesday, 15 December, 2015, 7:30 pm NOT at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai BUT at the Wattana Art Gallery, Soi Wat Umong, T. Suthep, Chiang Mai Contemporary Art in Traditional Culture A Talk by Wattana Wattanapun The Talk: Where can I see contemporary art in Chiang Mai? This question has been asked and repeated often by tourists and art lovers after they have seen all the temples and visited the craft villages in area. The December 2015 INTG meeting, marking the 31st anniversary of the Informal Northern Thai Group, will be held at the Wattana Art Gallery. A modern and sophisticated art gallery, perhaps the finest gallery in Chiang Mai, is tucked away on Soi Wat Umong behind the University. There are two floors full of paintings in oil, acrylic and mixed media that range from small to large mural sizes. Acharn Wattana (ว ฒนา ว ฒนาพ นธ ) will talk about the state of contemporary art in Chiang Mai and how his art gallery is an art 4

5 learning center that contributes to the local community from youth level to fine art institutes. He will also discuss how his gallery attracts international artists and visitors from all over the world and is a very inviting place to visit in Chiang Mai. The Speaker: Wattana Wattanapun has lived and worked in Thailand, the United States and Canada. He has held visiting professorships at a number of academic institutions including Haverford College, Oberlin College, Rhode Island School of Design, Simon Fraser University and Watkins Institute. His work, held in numerous public and private collections around the world, incorporates traditional Thai motifs in a contemporary perspective, using varied media including oil, acrylic, gold leaf and handmade paper. Acharn Wattanapun holds a B.F.A. degree in painting from Silpakorn University in Bangkok and M.A.E. degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design. Presently he is an academic consultant for the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University. He is Director of Wattana Art Gallery, 100/ 1 Soi Wat Umong, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai Open daily. Ph Contact wattana100-1@hotmail.com Prepare the talk by looking at: website: 4. List of FUTURE INTG MEETINGS (ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE, CHIANG MAI) Tuesday, 10 November, 2015, 7:30 pm at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai - 397th Meeting : Governing Hmongs in Thailand: Political Networks and Spaces. A Talk by David Chambers. Tuesday, 15 December, 2015, 7:30 pm, at Achan Wattana Wattanapun's Gallery, Soi Wat Umong, Chiang Mai - 398th Meeting : : Contemporary Art in Traditional Culture. A Talk by Achan Wattana Wattanapun. - Tom Fawthrop: The Great Gamble on the Mekong. Talks to be scheduled: - Amy D'Apice: A Presentation of her trip painting in Burma. 5

6 5. NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS A New Book: Occasional INTG speaker Professor Lindsay Falvey has published the book 'Understanding Southeast Asia: Syncretism in Commonalities'. The book points to the wisdom of seeking common factors that unite worldviews and so redresses country-specific imbalances. "It will be of great assistance to a new generation of Western understanding of Southeast Asian politics, decision-making, active inaction and ASEAN. It will also help the young educated elite of the region to see themselves in a new and proud light." A limited number of copies of the book are available gratis to INTG members (<lindsay.falvey@gmail.com>), or it can downloaded from various websites. A Special Lecture: "Tai Textiles and Gender: An Overview" by Susan Conway, Research Associate, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, School of Oiental and African Studies (SOAS), London University - At Women's Studies Building (2nd Floor Meeting Room), Department of Women's Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, November 11, at 13:30-15:30 - For reservation and more, please contact: Website: 6. INTG CONTACTS : Convenor - Secretary - Website 1) Convenor : Rebecca Weldon : <rebecca.weldon@gmail.com>. Mobile : ) Secretary : Louis Gabaude : <gabaudel@yahoo.com>. Mobile : ) INTG Website : Clarence Shettlesworth: 6

7 Informal Northern Thai Group (INTG) 31 years of Talks! Contemporary Art in Traditional Culture A Talk by Wattana Wattanapun Tuesday, 15 December, 2015, 7:30 pm At Wattana Wattanapun's Gallery Soi Wat Umong - Chiang Mai