MOCA Bangkok - a fantastic collection of Thai contemporary art
In a stunning white building just north of Bangkok meant to give the illusion that it was carved from a single piece of granite, you'll find MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). As a lover of art, I'm so disappointed in myself for not visiting this museum earlier because it's truly a gem. My friends and I spent 3 hours enjoying art, taking photos, watching a skateboarder, and being astonished that there was always another floor with more art. We even had the pleasure of speaking with artist VHS, from the solo show Help Me, after he photobombed us.
I was so engaged with the art that I didn't take photos to show you how gorgeous it is inside. How the pockets of light gracefully illuminate the space leaving behind a geometric shadow on the floor, how high the ceilings are, or how everything is that perfect shade of gallery white. I guess you'll have to spend an afternoon here soon.
The first temporary exhibition, Raining, by Nino Sarabutra, is a small dark room filled with thousands of raining porcelain hearts immersed in a glowing blue light. Open your heart and feel the love. This exhibition is a reaction to the 1955 rain initiative the King developed to reduce drought, and was created in 2017 while mourning over one of Thailand's most significant losses. My first experience with Nino's work, What Will You Leave Behind, at the 2018 Bangkok Biennale, is a piece I still talk about when I meet new people.
Raining will be on view until December 31, 2020. Make it your first stop in case there is a waiting list and add your name.
Follow the arrows to the second temporary exhibition on the first floor, Help Me by VHS. This solo show from Chris Webber is his first exhibition (congratulations!), and it's a cheeky one at that. Some pieces are risque, and others poke fun at the art world's sometimes serious and silly agenda. This collection features toys from our childhood, accompanied by a small voice reminding you to never stop playing. It is a multimedia exhibition with paintings, fresh and exciting augmented reality, and a skateboard ramp complete with a famous Thai skateboarder catching air and showing off his sick skills. So gnarly! This exhibition closes on October 18, 2020.
Damien Omen 3
The third temporary exhibition is a ten-piece collection of colorful videos found throughout the museum by Kawita Vatanajyankur. Domesticated is a reflection of mundane household tasks we repeated every day during the unforgettable COVID quarantine. Using her body, she challenges us to think about labor, feminism, and instant gratification. In 2019 I watched her first live performance piece. She turned her body into knitting tools to bring awareness to the undervalued lives of clothing factory workers. I was an immediate fan of her work. You can see that performance here, and catch her exhibition at MOCA until November 16, 2020.
The next four floors house the permanent collection, which Boonchai Bencharongkul has been collecting for over three decades. It is outstanding! He has a superb eye for art. My personal favorite is the second floor filled with Buddhist and Thai contemporary art. The colors, details, and depth in the first room are positively moving. The third floor is filled with fantasies and boobs. Lots, and lots, and lots of perfectly round, huge boobs. The fourth floor is where you can find Passage Across the Universe, a magical exhibition leading you through stardust, to an egg-shaped echo chamber (make sure to sing a little tune), that gives way to The Three Worlds. To reach the fifth and final floor dedicated to international artists, pass the Instagrammers on the staircase and turn left.
Buddha’s Enlightenment by Thongchai Srisukprasert
Center photo: Angela Hollywood, 2017
Side photos: Candy Lip Installation for Lip Lounge
By Sylvie Blum
The Old Man by Pradit Tungprasartwong
Dream Land 2 by Prateep Kochabua
Passage Across the Universe
Level of Life by Pichai Nirand
The easiest way to reach MOCA is via taxi. The closest stops on public transportation are Mochit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT, and then you can find a local bus or switch to a taxi. The ticket price is 250b. The museum is closed on Mondays. I would allow 2-4 hours to view all 5 floors. There is also a cafe and museum gift shop on the ground floor.
Enjoy!
