"VINYANS" - A Photographic Exhibition at the Alliance Française of Bangkok

Main hall

Saturday, October 20, 2014 -  
   It had been quite a while since I last came to the Alliance Française. The main éclair au chocolat and relaxed for a while after visiting the bookstore.

Reception area

hall was entirely revamped: new dining tables, lovely inviting armchairs set for a drink, a new terrace awning with brand new furniture, and above all a new French restaurant outlet. So I sat for coffee with an

The grand opening of today's photographic exhibition was fixed for 7:00PM.

Map of area

This was an interesting exhibitions, using a technique I had not seen before. It was called "Vinyans", which means 'Spirits' in Thai. So here is the explanation provided for the exhibit.

'Singha' [Lion]

'Chedi' [Stupa]

"Vinyans is a public art project, which, interpreted through contemporary special imaging techniques, focuses on sculptural and architectural Buddhist reverence sites in Chiang Mai. The project makes meaningful use of night time 'light painting' photography, exposing a world of hidden light and color. A form, which evokes in a metaphysical manner the mysterious, spiritual luminosity of these significant objects and sites.

Shot predominantly in temples around Chiang Mai, the techniques applied are not simply a means of photographic manipulation, but rather are chosen because they allow the viewer to see things that are normally hidden, and in the process they evoke and bring to life the Vinyans.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEMPLES

In order to make the temple photographs, in actual shooting day by day, night byBen Spielben chose to work with permission of the local population in a unique way.

'Naga'

night,

For him it becomes an important part of the project and the process to have the blessing of the monks, the main abbot and the temple community.

This local interaction expands the experience on both sides between the monks, family of the temples, and the local visitors. It's always very exciting to see the monks coming around the camera and commenting on the photos.

CONCEPT & GOALS

'The Offering'

The main goal is to awaken curiosity, reflection and memory.

Another step of the artistic process is to collect audience feedback.

The project plans to unite a group of volunteers  (Art students, artists or whoever is interested in this project) to lead interviews around the installations.

The goal is to collect stories among the Thai audience related to displayed images: myths, fairytales, philosophical stories, or bedtime stories!"

The photographer's name is Ben Spielben. He is a Frenchman artist living in Bangkok.

(The pictures included in this article belong to the artist and were taken during the exhibition to reveal this new art form.)  

Exhibition decoration

'The Call'

'Nagarut'