Feb 18 2012
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
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If you’re searching for fine art, masterfully curated and periodically refreshed, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is likely not for you. But if you define ‘fine’ as suitable for a lazy Bangkok weekend, the BACC is an ideal venue. The BACC does not demand much of your time or any of your money; you can rove in and out of the exhibits as you please, with no need for any order.
An artist working his magic.
The best feature of the BACC is not necessarily what hangs on its walls, but the structure itself: a modern collage of rounded corners and straight edges, with a spiral interior, twisting tightly like a shirt wrung out to dry. Even on weekends, the building remains empty compared to its bustling neighbour, MBK. Why furry iPhone cases and blonde hair extensions are more sought after than art is grist for the aporia mill, but consider the extra leg room a blessing.
Start your visit at the cafe on the third floor, a cosy spot for basic coffee, tea, hot chocolate and homemade banana muffins. Then make your way through the small galleries, lined up in a row like a school dormitory. Due to a hazy mix of construction delays and bureaucratic red tape, some spaces are either unoccupied or half-occupied — as if the artist went out to buy canvas tacks and never came back.
A post-modern exhibit on the art of movement. Or, an escalator.
Stop by the tables lining the galleries to admire the work of impressive local artists, where you can talk to them about their process and buy greeting cards and other knick-knacks to take home. The facility also features frequent art talks (in both English and Thai) and even a black-box theatre with mime artists.
A painting on display.
Though the BACC is by no means a trip to the Louvre, it is a pleasant space with the potential to support Bangkok’s art community. Quirky, confused, and free of charge; a perfect way to spend a rainy day in Bangkok or an excuse to escape the heat.
BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Centre)
39 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan
BTS: Connected to National Stadium, or a short walk from Siam
T: (02) 214 6630-1
www.bacc.or.th
Tue-Sun 10:00-21:00
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I absolutely loved the BACC. I had a day to kill in Bangkok (on a budget) before moving to my home in Siracha, Thailand. Due the the free admission and rave reviews from my artist friend, I decided to pop over. Although I am not an artist myself, I can appreciate good art. After having recently viewed what seemed like thousands of art museums in Europe, they were all beginning to mesh together.
Call me crazy, but I genuinely enjoyed my visit to the BACC more than of the art museums I visited in Europe. I’m aware that is quite a statement. The Louvre and Van Gogh Museum were lovely; but I found the BACC to be so much more REAL – and relatable.
At the time of my visit, there was an exhibit featuring pieces from real people – of all media – to portray the country’s love for the King. Having been previously familiar with the Thai people’s deep-rooted devotion to their King, I found this exhibit to be truly representative of this and very touching. The sincerity of many pieces in this display gave me goosebumps and have since remained in my mind as memorable. The BACC is a wonderful representation of this unique culture through Thai native’s innate artistic abilities (that even many of my young students possess).