Artist : Roongroj Piamyossak ศิลปิน รุ่งโรจน์ เปี่ยมยศศักดิ์

2 0 0 4 : T e m p l e o f M a n k i n d

... Farewell to a holy field ...

... During The Past decade, Chiang Mai, the capital of Northern Thailand, has gradually changed both in terms of urban life and culture. Commercial buildings, golf courses and residences have replaced the quiet rice fields.

Soon, the last green rice fields covering a 1,000-rai plot of land in Chiang Mai's Muang district will be soon gone, and in its place will be a multi-million baht concrete construction project.

To bid farewell to the rice field, which implies the collapse of agricultural culture, Chiang Mai artist Roongroj Piamyossak together with Lanna folk masters is holding a Lanna-style arts event on Sunday at the field.

At the site, which is located at the intersection between the Irrigation Canal and Mae Hea Roads, on the way to Doi Suthep - the temple fair farewell called Poy Luang will combine a contemporary installation art by Roongroj and traditional Lannastyle arts and crafts by masters.

Making it an even unhappier occasion, under the field lay ruins of a temple, which experts estimate are more than 700 years old, dating back to when the Northern city was built.

The artist said Chiang Mai has been gradually changing since 1988, when Chatichai Choonhavan was the Prime Minister.
The rice fields were replaced with buildings made of concrete.

"Art and culture and the way of life ' of us has changed a lot. There has been little fight against capitalism.
Because of the destruction of what has always been thought of as `Buddhist land; many Chiang Mai natives now listening less and less to Buddhist teaching."

Roongroj's installation "Temple of Mankind" will be placed in the centre of the land, while the craft masters will showcase Buddhist amulets, Singh sculptures and statues.

"We borrowed the Poy Luang ceremony as we would like to preserve this tradition.
It refers to the highly respected Lanna Buddhist tradition and is usually held to celebrate the temple's main chapel," the Chiang Alai native explains.

Temple of Mind, or Viharn Prachachon is a huge impact installation, measuring nine metres by nine metres by 2.20 metres.

Inspired by temple's gable, Roongroj's triangular form installation is lined with metal boxes and viewers can walk inside his piece.
Inside the boxes, the artist has painted huge pictures of amulets.

The triangular form represents many things. It is a symbol of motherhood, of a temple's gable, of a temple that is a house and where Buddha images around one's neck are cherished.

I would like to present them in a down to earth way. I have put these artefacts as close as possible to the earth, the place where everyone has the same rights and freedom.
The ground become a temple of respect," reads the brochure written by the artist whose signature works deal with Buddhist issues.

The cultural ceremony, which starts at 4pm, will feature a fresh market selling rare local northern foods, homemade wine and handicrafts.
Folk masters will perform rare shows.

The ceremony wraps at 9pm. "Temple of Mankind" will be on show until April 30, before the field is taken over by the building contractors.

By Phatarawadee Phataranawik
Talk of the Town, The Nation, February 26, 2004

<< Installation view

Highlight ...

Craftsmen all together proudly present an open-air exhibition "Temple of Mankind"
Details of information of craftsmen from different villages participating in the exhibition "Temple of Mankind"

Opening ceremony Sunday 29 February 2004 at 6.00 p.m.At a rice filed, New Mae Hae Road, Muang, Chiang Mai

1. Baan Ton Kok:
1.1. MaeSang brings delicate antique Kheun textile for the show, together with details explanation.
1.2. Old craftsmen group demonstrates bamboo weaving.
1.3. Female (Wife) group of the village brings together cotton belongings.

2. Baan San Ka Waan : Mat-making village with the entirely villagers demonstrdtes the process of mat-making.
3. Baan Nhong Krob : Well-known Traditional Thai Wine is brought by local brewery for demonstidtion and for proof.
4. Baan Ton Nhan Hnoi : SalaMong (craftsman) original forerunner of Khean Kitchen presents himself for the first time to the public.
5. Baan Khun Knong : The villagers arrange traditional Northern SaLaakPatra Party
demonstration in order to show local memebers' mentality and kindness.
6. Baan Chanq Kra Daad : The villager demonstrdte candle making process; dropping
beeswax in small earthenware, and also brings together lamps and flags.
7. Baan Pa Laan : Female (wife) group of the village shows antique local applied art and decorations.
8. Baan Mai Muang Kaoen : Sala Wisute (engraver) presents wooden engraving works.
9. Baan Piang : Sala Samaan Saosing, a well-known cement sculptor, whose lion sculptures are beyond compare, presents himself to public
10. Baan Mae Hae : Sala Pratum demonstrates Buddha image making, using technique sculpture by molding and casting.
11. Baan Pa Taan : The villagers proudly present earthenware in a new look.
12. Baan Dong Hua Rin : Sala Intha tells the story of innovative paint making on temple's wall.
(90 % of these exhibitions and performances are firstly shown to public and could not be found elsewhere.)

Entertainments, performances and amusements durinci the exhibition

1. Local fiddle music performance through the entirely programme by Mae BuaChum and LukMaePing team
2. Local dance from Baan Hkun Khong's youth group, San Pa tong, Chiang Mai
3. Local food and desert 7 different kinds of food and 7 different kind of deserts, provided by Ton Kok's Wife group
4. Special food with kind-hearted donation of Chang Kra Daad's Wife group
5. Traditional Thai Wine, Baan Nhong Kroob and Baan Khun Khong villagers prdoced
traidtuonal thai wine, based on their wisdom and culture.
6. Fresh coffee from famous coffee expert, uncle Lop San Pa tong
7. acrobatic motorcycle performance before the opening, Thailand champion
together with a trial motor group will show motor skilled acrobatics (As a gift for the opening day)

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