Bangkok - Talkingthailand

The Making of a Photo Exhibition

The year was 2015 and I’d been living in Bangkok for a few months. I used to love wandering around the city taking photos and writing about what I’d done.

I was doing some research to find out if there were any castles in Thailand when I came across a map, produced by the European Union National Institutes for Culture in Thailand (EUNIC), that had information on European heritage. I started reading and decided that I was going to start my own little project for Talkingthailand.

I made a list of the places I wanted to find and started to explore the city. I was really interested in the history behind them. I also love walking, so I thought it would be a good idea if I could combine both of these things and create a book so people could learn about the history and go in search of these places for themselves.

That’s how my idea for On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage was born. A year later, I self-published my first book. I was very proud of myself.

As someone who loves taking photographs, I always wanted to hold my own photo exhibition and my idea was that I could exhibit photos from my book.

I already knew of just the place. Dialogue Coffee and Gallery – a small Indie cafe on Phra Sumen Road. I knew the owner, Narin, because I had already reached out to him to have a copy of my book on show. Narin told me that anyone could display their work in the art and exhibition space upstairs. Anyone, who wasn’t well-known that is – enter me!

After discussing the details, the date was set. I was really happy, but soon realised I had less than a month to sort everything out. At least this gave me a kick up the butt to get on and do it!

There are 47 places of interest that feature in my book and I knew the gallery space at Dialogue was too small to hold them all. The first thing I did with my faithful assistant, Chris, was to go back to Dialogue to measure the space. I’d already bought some frames, so I knew how big the photos would be. We returned to Chris’ house and replicated the space with a tape measure and books to try and work out the spacing between the frames. Once we had finished our makeshift gallery, I knew I had room for 11 photos, so I bought the rest of the frames.

The next thing I had to do was get the photos printed as 20×30 inch prints. This was easy as there was a photo shop near my home who did an excellent job. I also had postcards and bookmarks printed for sale. Other items such as a price list and information cards for each photo were created by me and printed at home.

A few days before the exhibition opening night, Chris and I transported the 11 framed photos and other items over to Dialogue to set up. Much to our pleasant surprise, our dry run in Chris’ living room proved to have been worthwhile. The photos were hung in the places we’d planned!

It took more or less the whole day to hang the photos in their designated spaces, to lay out all the postcards and bookmarks for sale, and to make sure the space was as perfect as we could get it!

A few days later, we returned to Dialogue all suited and booted for the opening night!

We arrived, had one final check to make sure everything was in its place (and the photos hadn’t fallen down), started the music up from Chris’ laptop, and waited for my guests to arrive.

I’d already invited people I knew, so at least I would have a few people there. To my surprise a few folks came who had just popped into the cafe and realised there was an exhibition going on.

I even managed to sell a photo and a couple of books. So, all in all, a very successful evening.

My exhibition ran from 3 – 25 November 2017 and all too soon it was time to return to Dialogue to take down the photos.

I am immensely proud that one of the things I wanted to do had become a reality. It was a great experience and one where I got to put skills to use such as creativity, organisation, and collaboration. I couldn’t have done it alone though and, thankfully, I had my trusty assistant, Chris, to help every step of the way!

The photos that made the cut..

And, just for fun, the videos we recorded of me trying my hardest to explain what my exhibition was about!

Here are more photos of European Heritage in Bangkok:

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-other-districts/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-yaowarat-and-pathumwan/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-yannawa/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-thonburi/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-phra-nakhon/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-dusit/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-districts-bangrak-and-sathorn/

A Guide to Nature in Bangkok

When you think of Bangkok, you might imagine high-rise buildings, long traffic jams, millions of people all going about their day, and noise on every corner. And you’re right – it’s all of these things. What if I were to tell you that there are places, not at all far from all the commotion, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet, away from the madding crowds, the gorgeous trees and flowers, and the resident wildlife? Let’s see where the nature is in Bangkok.

Bang Pu Nature Reserve

Located in Samut Prakan, lies Bang Pu Nature Reserve – a great little spot where you can go bird-watching and where the locals go to feed the huge flocks of seagulls at the end of the pier.

It’s fun to walk along the elevated walkways through the mangroves with great views of the mudflats and out over the Gulf of Thailand. There’s even a birding hide where you can sit and wait for all the different species that can be found there.

A guide to nature in Bangkok — Bang Pu Nature Reserve

Ancient City

Also in Samut Prakan is Muang Boran – or Ancient City, an open-air museum in the shape of Thailand and covering some 200 acres. The park is full of trees, plants, lakes, decorative bridges, and statues of buildings that can be found all over Thailand, some of which no longer exist.

The best way to see it is to hire a golf buggy or you can cycle round it but, be warned, it is very hot, so you need to take lots of water and wear sunscreen. There are places to buy refreshments in different parts of the park. It’s a really fabulous place to get out into the fresh air where you can learn about some of Thailand’s history.

Chulachomklao Fort

Chulachomklao Fort is in Phra Samut Chedi District, around 29 km south of Bangkok. It’s a bit of a trek getting there, but it’s fun trying to find your own way there!

There’s lots to explore – a gun park and a bunker with disappearing guns. There’s a statue of King Rama V which stands at the front of the fort and you can also board the huge military ship – H.T.M.S Maeklong – which was used during WWII. Nearby, there is a mangrove forest where you can see the mudflats and critters that live there. You can also meet the resident monkeys who pay no attention to you whatsoever as they chase each other along the boardwalks.

Green Lung of Bangkok

The green lung of Bangkok is the nickname for Bang Krachao, a conservation area located in Phra Pradaeng district, located just across the river from Bangna.

There are orchards, gardens, and forests to explore and the best way to see it all is by bicycle. You can cycle to Bang Nampueng floating market where you can buy and try traditional Thai food. Not too far away is Sri Nakhon Khuankhan botanical gardens, full of tropical trees and flowers, a large pond and several walking and cycling paths. Many people go there to enjoy the nature and relaxed surroundings.

Forest in the City

Pa Nai Krung or forest in the city, is located near Suvarnabhumi airport. It’s a beautiful area created to raise awareness of how important the preservation of forest areas is to the environment and where you can learn about forest ecosystems.

There are some 250 native trees, plants and shrubs and a sky-walk and observation tower where you can get fabulous views of the surrounding area.

King Rama 9 Park

There are plenty of parks in Bangkok, but King Rama 9 park is the biggest, covering around 200 acres and there are 2,300 plant species and loads of trees for shade on a sunny day. There is plenty of wildlife to encounter too and many photographic opportunities to be had.

The park is split into six different areas, all with different varieties of plants and trees. Many people go to this park as the sun goes down to enjoy the fresh air and the greenery.

Lumpini Park

Right in the middle of the city, Lumpini Park is a wonderful place to relax if you are out and about. It has a lake, many species of trees and flowers and around 30 species of birds.

This is another popular place for people to go in the evenings to relax after work or to do their daily exercise.

So, if you happen to be in Bangkok, I thoroughly recommend any of these places, especially King Rama 9 park – that was my favourite place to go when I lived there.

What nature is close to your city? 🙂

The Changing Seasons – November 2018

The Changing Seasons post, inspired by the lovely Sarah at Secret Art Expedition and hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch.

I started the month of November with a friend of mine who was in town for a few days and it just happened to be my week off.

We had a fabulous time together and we went to some really nice restaurants and bars in the evenings. Places that I never usually go to – so it was a real treat.

Things to do in Bangkok — Views from Vertigo and Moon Bar, Bangkok

I also took a trip to Muang Boran – or Ancient City– somewhere I have been meaning to go for ages. The park is shaped like Thailand and covers some 200 acres. It’s full of monuments and temples from every corner of the country. It’s too big to walk around, so I hired a golf buggy which was fun! I still never made it all the way round, but I saw a lot!

Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok

The park is full of trees, plants, lakes, decorative bridges, and statues of everything imaginable. Some of the structures no longer exist in Thailand, so this place acts like an open-air museum of things that once were. It’s a really fabulous day out!

Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok

The best part was a temple at the top of some stairs which gave splendid views across the park and Bangkok.

In other news, one of my favourite restaurants is returning. Hemingways was my go-to place to have lunch and enjoy their all day happy hour! Sadly, it was replaced with a sterile looking hotel that nobody cares about – except those money grabbers! Anyway, it’s re-opening, but I no longer live in Bangkok, so I’ll just have to wait until I go back for a holiday! It looks like they are trying to re-create it as it was before.

I entered Exodus’ 7 world wonders competition. I had to choose 7 places from a list of given destinations and whoever wins gets to go to these places – 1 every year over a 7 year period! Here’s hoping!

Things to do in freetime — Exodus’ 7 World Wonders Competition

My favourite building in Bangkok – Mahanakhon finally opened their observation deck on floors 74-77. I planned to go there before I left, but I didn’t have time, so another thing to add to my list when I return!

My friend Chris and I took a final day out in Banglamphu. To get there, we took the boat along the Saen Saeb canal all the way from Bangkapi to Pathumwan. We got a taxi the rest of the way and once in Banglamphu we walked over 11 km trying to look for a small street full of Buddha statues – which Chris had seen somewhere. We weren’t successful, but it was fun trying.

We had Indian food at Santi, one of my favourite restaurants in that area, followed by a few drinks at a couple of bars. In Superflow, we sat and enjoyed the resident band for over 5 hours wholeheartedly getting involved with giving them requests for songs! It was such a great day out – we always have a fabulous and fun time when we are together.

And here we are half way through December already!

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas! 🙂

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

4 Heritage Homes in Bangkok You Should Visit

Most people come to Bangkok for its food, its temples, its vibrant nightlife, and its general laid back attitude to life. And why not? It’s a fabulous place for first-time visitors to be introduced to Thailand. But, before long, the chaos, the traffic, and the constant battering of your senses starts to get to you and it’s time to move on.

If you dare to stay a little longer, you realise there’s a whole lot more to the capital than meets the eye. You really have just scratched the surface of what there is to see here. If you’re interested in more sedate activities and getting off the beaten track, delve a little deeper and go in search of these 4 heritage homes in Bangkok.

M.R Kukrit’s Heritage Home

Hidden in the back streets of Sathorn is the former home of M.R Kukrit, or Mom Rajawongse Kukrit (1911-1995), Thailand’s 13^th Prime Minister. Not only was he involved with politics, but he was also a prolific writer and artist and his home pays tribute to his passions. You can still see many of his personal artefacts, including books and paintings. The Department of Fine Arts decided this house should give the impression that it’s still lived in, with everything laid out as it was when Mr Kukrit was alive. As well as 5 beautiful teak buildings, which are of traditional Thai design, there’s a lily pond, a garden with lots of green shrubs and colourful flowers, a lawn and pavilion at the back. It’s a little slice of peaceful heaven.

Address: 19 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 7 Alley, Sathorn, Bangkok, 10120
Hours: Daily, 10.00am to 6.00pm

Bangkok Folk Museum

The Bangkok Folk or Bangkokian Museum is another little gem, concealed from view in Bang Rak. It was the home of the Suravadees, a middle-class family, who lived there in the early twentieth century. The house was inherited by Varaporn Suravadee who, before she died, intervened with building work that was planned next door and raised money to stop it in the hope that she could preserve her museum for people to continue to learn about her family’s past. The folk museum is full of relics – old photographs, medical equipment, magazines, even a couple of things that date back to King Rama V’s time. It really is a treasure trove of wonders.

Address: 273 Charoen Krung Road, Soi 43, Bangrak, Bangkok,10500
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00am to 4.00pm

Kamthieng House Museum

This museum was built in 1848 in Chiang Mai by Mae Saed, great-granddaughter of one of the rulers of the Lanna Kingdom. The structure was taken to Bangkok and reassembled and it’s now located in the gardens of the Siam Society. It was opened in 1966 by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Kamthieng House is a traditional Lanna house – raised on stilts and made of wood – with tools and items that were used in the Lanna way of life. There are also videos throughout the house telling the story of how day-to-day life played out in a Lanna village. Be warned though! It’s believed that the ghosts of the past still roam the house.

Address: 131 Asoke Montrii Road, Bangkok, 10110
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm

Jim Thompson’s House

More centrally located, is Jim Thompson’s house, a series of beautiful wooden structures which are full of his possessions. Jim Thompson was an American businessman and architect who came to Bangkok in the 1940s. He established the Thai Silk Company and, as a keen art enthusiast, he made many trips around South East Asia to collect an abundance of art pieces. He travelled far and wide, and in 1959 he built this house to live in and to show off his collection. Unfortunately, Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1967. His body has never been found, but with all the wall hangings, statues, and antiques inside, you can get a feel for what kind of man he was.

Address: 6 Soi Kaseman 2, Rama I Road, Bangkok, 10330
Hours: Daily, 9.00am to 6.00pm

It really is fun to explore Bangkok! There are so many fascinating things to see, but it’s the less well-known attractions that are really worth hunting out. If you would like help finding them let me know 🙂

Imaginarium – By Oleg Shuplyak

Art Galleries in Bangkok — Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre

Salvador Dali is one of my favourite painters, not only for his surrealism and imagination, but it’s so much fun to look at his paintings. Talk about tricking your mind – he definitely succeeds in doing that. Swans Reflecting Elephants is a classic optical illusion.

You’re looking at 3 swans on a lake, but their reflections turn into elephants – the clue is in the name! Look at it some more and you’ll suddenly realise that the tree trunks behind the swans are reflected as the elephants legs. Move your eyes away from the central focal point and see what else you can find. Can you see the man? The first time I saw this painting, I was blown away. The creativity and vision to be able to produce a piece like this is more than a little impressive.

I love Dali’s work, so imagine my excitement when I went to see an art exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre a couple of weeks ago.

Let me introduce – Oleg Shuplyak – a very talented artist from Ukraine and his Bangkok exhibition – Imaginarium (great title, don’t you think?)

Since 1991, Shuplyak has been showing his work at exhibitions across the world and he is a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. I’d never heard of this artist before, but he’s definitely on my radar now.

The reason I compare Shuplyak to Dali is because he (Shuplyak) is best known for his optical illusions – an element that Dali used in his paintings. His paintings are portraits of famous people with hidden images – the hidden elements are very Daliesque!

Every piece of work is very bright and colourful with so much detail and, of course, his trademark “painting within a painting.” Like with Dali’s paintings, the first time you look up close, you can see certain elements, but the more you look and widen your focus across the whole canvas, more things become apparent. People see things differently, and I couldn’t see the faces at first, but after stepping back they immediately popped out of the painting. Once your mind focuses on one thing, it’s difficult “not” to see it. That’s the beauty of this kind of art.

I found myself smiling more than once at this guy’s sheer brilliance. I scrutinised the faces and what was a mouth or an eye, turned out to be a bird or a house.

I kept chuckling to myself too because as I was looking at the fine details and the paint strokes, I’d move my eyes to the right and I could suddenly see…. well what can you see? It’s really fascinating.

It really was fun to see his creations and to challenge myself in trying to find everything that was hidden. Just like Dali was, Oleg Shuplyak is a brilliant artist. Their work has been, and is, such an inspiration for other artists that follow. It was so pleasing just to be able to see this work and to appreciate the talent that has gone into creating such wonderful pieces.

It’s not only portraits he succeeds in hiding. This is one of my favourites!

For more Oleg Shuplyak paintings go to www.morrisophotography.co.uk

Places to Visit in Bangkok – With a Twist

There are plenty of places to visit in Bangkok and exploring on foot is a great way to experience them. Of course, you could take a taxi, bus or skytrain, but you’d miss all that the lively streets of the city have to offer. Plus, you’ll find some interesting things along the way. I’ve lived in this wonderful city for 4 years now and I have visited most of the popular attractions, so when I am out, I search for different things to write about and take photographs of. So, if you’re in town, explore to your heart’s content and, if you feel like it, see if you can find these cool statues dotted around the city.

If you’re at Wat Arun, it’s fun to scamper up and down the steps of the main temple, but I found this Buddha statue through a red door. This one is the Alms Collecting Buddha or Begging Buddha and it represents compassion and caring for others. If you’re up early enough, it’s usual to see bare-footed, orange-robed monks collecting food from people all over the country. Just to be clear, the Buddha never begged for anything, the people gave him food, and now people continue to do this as a way of making merit to allow good karma into their lives.

Wat Arun sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River – it’s better to go there, so you can see how the 5 prangs of the temple have been artistically decorated with seashells and pieces of coloured porcelain which sparkle in the sunlight. The views from the other side of the river aren’t bad either!

Places to visit in Bangkok — Alms Collecting Buddha or Begging Buddha at Wat Arun

This Buddha statue is in Benjakitti Park – right in the heart of the city – and it represents the Meditation Buddha, the Serenity Buddha or the Calming Buddha. You’ll notice the gold sculpture is triangle-shaped which means stability and many people who are seeking peace and calmness will sit in front of the statue and meditate. Whether you’re into meditating or not, Benjakitti Park makes for a welcome break from all the chaos of the busy streets nearby.

This cool little statue sits in the middle of a lily pond, surrounded by potted plants and miniature trees, in the gardens of M.R Kukrit’s Heritage Home. The home of Thailand’s 13th prime minister, it really is very pleasant to wander around the grounds, surprisingly peaceful considering its location in busy Sathorn. It might not be up there on your to-do list, but I guarantee it’s worth the effort of finding it.

Head to Chulachomklao Fort, in Phra Samut Chedi District, and you will find this splendid statue of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) in naval uniform. It’s the first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at the fort – built to protect Thailand from invading European countries. As well as this cool statue, you’ll find a gun park, an underground bunker with several disappearing guns, and the H.T.M.S. Maeklong. Also, don’t miss the mangrove walkway with its resident and totally nonchalant monkeys.

This huge Buddha statue represents the Earth Touching Buddha or Calling the Earth to Witness Buddha and it sits on the shores of the Chao Phraya River opposite the small island of Koh Kret, in Nonthaburi. With legs crossed, left hand resting on its lap, and right hand pointing towards the ground, this statue depicts the moment when the Buddha attained enlightenment. In his efforts, he was tempted by the demon, Mara, so he meditated all night to fight her off. It worked, and he called the Earth Goddess to witness his success.

The best way to see Koh Kret is to walk or cycle along its pathways through local villages. Shop at the colourful market or you could try your hand at pottery – not as easy as it looks, but you’ll come away with your very own creation as a souvenir.

On the junction of Rama IV Road and Silom Road, you’ll see this impressive statue of King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI), dressed in ceremonial uniform, at the entrance to Lumpini Park. The statue was built by Italian architect, Corrado Feroci, in 1941 and pays tribute to the king who donated a piece of land, called Sala Daeng, to be used as a public park. There is a lake and a jogging track and it’s a popular place for people to spend time as the sun goes down. There’s wildlife too – around 30 species of birds and a few dinosaur-like water monitors.

Get off the BTS at Ratchathewi and walk back towards the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre and you’ll come across this four-headed white-elephant statue which forms part of the Chaloem La 56 Bridge or Hua Chang (Elephant-Head Bridge) as the locals like to call it. The bridge was built to celebrate the 56th birthday of King Rama V. The bridge crosses the Saen Saep Canal where you can either walk along the pathway with loads of cool and colourful graffiti or take a boat in either direction to explore the city some more – traffic free!

This mammoth statue of King Rama I sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River near the Memorial Bridge. The statue was designed by Prince Naris and made by Corrado Feroci in 1932 to commemorate the king who established Bangkok as the new capital of Thailand in 1782. From here, Yodpiman river walk is nearby where you can catch the ferry over to Thonburi or wander around the streets of Little India for delicious Indian snacks and a lively market.

Not far from Sathorn, in Bang Kho Laem district, is Asiatique The Riverfront – an open air mall, with loads of shops and restaurants, which really comes alive in the evenings. Asiatique is located on the former docks of the East Asiatic Company and they established the first international port to support incoming and outgoing trade. It’s there you’ll find these three bronze statues, looking out across the river, representing maritime activity from years ago. There are other similar statues nearby as well as a World War II bomb shelter, warehouses dating back to 1907, and a reproduction of the very first electric tram from the nineteenth century.

Also at Asiatique is the lovely Juliet Love Garden. This statue of Juliet stands, looking somewhat forlornly, in the middle of a small courtyard. The iron fence surrounding the statue has hundreds of padlocks with love messages inscribed forever.

I really love visiting the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. No matter what time of year, there are loads of interesting exhibitions and photographic displays. Sometimes, there are one or two sculptures displayed outside on the street. I have no idea what this big-breasted, pointy-eared, warrior-type statue is all about, but it always makes me smile. With its outstretched arm it never fails to catch the attention of people passing by.

Wat Saket, also known as The Golden Mount is a splendid place to visit and if you walk up to the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360° views out over the rooftops of Bangkok.

To get to the top, there are over 300 steps which snake around the hill and, along the way, you’ll find this golden Buddha holding a staff and a parasol – possibly depicting him as he travelled far and wide teaching Dharma. The statue is standing under the forest-green foliage in the middle of a waterfall – the water splashing over the grey rocks is soothing.

Accompanying him are three wise monkeys who “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” The relationship these monkeys have with the Buddha is that he believed the human mind is filled with screeching monkeys – all vying for our attention. The Buddha believed that meditation can quieten the monkeys, so we can live peaceful and calm lives.

Overlooking the Chao Phraya River and Bhumibhol Bridge is this Buddha statue which represents Repelling the Ocean and Preventing Relatives from Fighting. Repelling the ocean relates to when a hermit tried to cause a flood, but the Buddha meditated for as long as it took to stop it. Preventing the relatives from fighting tells the story of when the Buddha’s family were fighting over water, so he raised his right hand which made them stop arguing. Bonus points for finding this statue! Clue – hop on a ferry across the river to Bang Kachao and get exploring.

This huge statue of Ganesha, a well-known God in Hinduism, is located in Sri Nakhon Khuankhan Botanical Gardens, in Bangkok’s Green Lung, full of tropical trees and flowers, a large pond, and several walking and cycling paths. It’s a fabulous day out if you’re looking to get into nature and relaxation. Mooshika the rat sits at Ganesha’s feet and, being a rat, they are able to chew their way through anything. A handy partner to have when you are known as the remover of obstacles.

Not far from Dusit Park is the noble King Rama V Equestrian Statue. Built in the early twentieth century, this statue was erected to commemorate the king’s coronation. He also contributed much to the modernisation of Bangkok and the cost of the statue was raised by the people themselves to show their gratitude.

Also nearby is Wat Benchamabophit and Bangkok’s Old City with lots of historical sites and temples, bars and restaurants, and hundreds of nooks and crannies just begging to be explored – you could spend the whole day in this area and only just scratch the surface.

I hope you enjoy exploring these places to visit in Bangkok as much as I have. Let me know what else you find on your adventures 🙂

Art in the City

These days, one of my favourite pastimes is to visit any of the hundreds of art galleries, here in Bangkok. I mean there are literally hundreds and I have not even begun to scrape the surface because I always end up at my favourite; The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre or BACC as we like to call it.

I first went to the BACC back in 2014 and it never fails to amaze me. There are always interesting exhibitions on and, every time I go there, it feels like it’s the first time, even though I know every square inch of the place. The first five floors circle around the central atrium with displays of photographs, drawings, or paintings on the walls. It’s such a lovely environment to stroll around and simply enjoy the artist’s creations. The light is perfect too – there are big windows which allow the natural light to stream in, but there’s also recessed lighting inside which helps to show the art off in the best possible way.

I’ve been to three art exhibitions over the past few months, each one different, each one just as fascinating and inspiring as the other.

Opera Omnia

Opera Omnia was held at the BACC and it featured 40 masterpieces by Caravaggio. Unfortunately, they weren’t the originals, they are all currently housed in museums around the world, but this exhibition was the next best thing! The paintings had been digitally reproduced in HD and, I’m happy to say, they did not take away the sheer brilliance of this master painter.

Caravaggio was active in Italy between 1590 and 1610 and he painted from life rather than drawings, much to the chagrin of his fellow painters. He was one of the great painters of the Baroque period and his use of Chiaroscuro, strong contrasts of light and dark, gave his paintings an almost life-life appearance. Much of his work depicts crucial moments, struggles, torture and death, transfixing his subjects in bright shafts of light. The intense realism of his paintings are what he became famous for and he greatly influenced many painters that came after him. Bernard Berenson, an American art historian, had this to say about Caravaggio: “With the exception of Michelangelo, no other Italian painter exercised so great an influence.” See if you can spot Caravaggio, he was known to include himself in some of his paintings!

Abandonia

I ventured to a new gallery called Jam, but it doesn’t really compare to the BACC, if only for the fact that when I asked where the gallery was, the guy asked me, “Gallery, what gallery?” with an air of disinterest in his voice. So much for promoting your place in a positive light! Luckily, another guy directed me upstairs, so I could find out what Abandonia was all about.

Bangkok is changing and it’s happening very quickly. There are many places that have been razed to the ground (don’t get me started on Hemingways!) to make way for shiny new hotels or condos! (like we need any more!) Unfortunately, no one cares about beautiful buildings or residents that have been in their homes for years or workers that are put out of jobs, it’s all about money. If the authorities are not careful, there will be nothing of interest left to see in the city. And, once it’s gone, people tend to forget.

Fortunately, there are people who want to remind people of what was, and Abandonia was an exhibition by Bangkok-based photographer Dax Ward who has made it his mission to go out and capture those abandoned places that no one cares about anymore. The exhibition showcases places in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand too. In his words, “Every derelict has its own history….they are reminders of what once was… the allure for urban explorers and photographers lies in identifying and capturing the remaining beauty in these forgotten locations…” Check out Dan’s website for more Abandonia photography.

Beyond The Air We Breathe – Addressing Climate Change

I wonder if we will ever realise how climate change can seriously affect the world we live in. This exhibition featured over 100 images by 80 world-renowned photographers, including one of my favourites – Steve McCurry, who have tried to depict the effects of a changing climate. Some of the photos are more than a little distressing, but all of them are stunning. Some are obvious in their message, some are not and it takes a while before you realise what the photographers are trying to convey. The capturing of these images is a powerful way to get the message across!

For photographs of the art galleries, check out morrisophotography 🙂

Caravaggio

Abandonia

Beyond The Air We Breathe

What art do you have in your city? 🙂

The Changing Seasons-April 2018

The Changing Seasons post, inspired by the lovely Sarah at Secret Art Expedition and hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch. I must say, I am loving writing these posts, it reminds me of everything I’ve done during the month, from the big things right down to the small. So, without further ado, here’s what I got up to in April.

I started the month with a visit to one of my favourite drinking dens, Le Cafe des Stagiaires, with my little partner in crime, Chris! It’s a lovely little bar in Sathorn, with happy hour deals, always good in my book, and a nice atmosphere with seats on the pavement, canopied by the trees that line Soi 12. You can really imagine that you’re in Europe somewhere! 🙂

Things to do in Bangok — Le Cafe des Stagiaires
Photo Credit: Chris Wotton

I work really unsociable hours and my hours don’t match Chris’s, so when he’s off, I’m not, and vice versa. But, Sundays are a good day for both of us, even if Chris is meant to be working, he gives in sometimes and we enjoy our “Sunday Sessions,” as we’ve fondly named them.

There is an abundance of different colours and many different species of flowers and plants at my local park, so I always stop mid-run to photograph a few.

The best thing I did in April was to visit Italy to celebrate my birthday (35 AGAIN!!!) I met my mum and dad there and what a wonderful week we had together. Honestly, I took SO many photos and I plan to write about my visit there, but these are just a few of my favourite places.

Things to do in Rome — St Peter’s Basilica

When I got back to Bangkok, I still had a few days holiday, so me and Chris when to Escape, a new roof top bar located, strangely, on the fifth floor of one of the monstrous shopping malls here in the city. It was glitzy and glamourous and the drinks were fairly pricey, but we were making the most of a rare weekend off, for me at least.

Places to go in Bangkok — Creativity in wine!!

Good old Facebook 😉 reminded me of one of my all time favourite tunes; Tiesto’s Adagio for Strings. It stirred up a good few memories from the past and it gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it!

I was introduced to the Mark Steel lectures by a friend earlier this year, and I finally got round to watching one of them. He takes famous people from the past, like Freud, Aristole, and Napoleon and tells their story in a way that is informative yet hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etiwwbpr1Y4&t=9s

And finally, it was my 50th birthday! God knows how I got to be 50, I am still 18 in my heart and head! (Not so in body- it takes me days to get over a night out!) Still, they say life begins at 30/40/50/60/70…!! After a few months of actually freaking out about it, I have accepted this fact, after all, it’s only a number !!! I stopped counting at 35 anyway!!! 😉

If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

Parks and the City #2

My favourite park, and possibly my favourite place to go, in Bangkok is King Rama IX Park. It’s not far from where I live and I go there to run most weeks. Sometimes, I go there just with my camera because, around every corner, there is so much to photograph and I never get tired of taking photos of the same things, but I always manage to find something novel.

There is plenty of wildlife to encounter. Here are a few of the birds and animals that I regularly see there.

There are so many beautiful flowers in the park too.

Once a year, in December, there is a flower festival called The Magnificent Plants that Beautify the Suan Luang Rama IX Flowers Festival. Fantastic name, don’t you think? It really is a great time to visit because they make a special effort to plant new flowers, so there is an outburst of colour during the festival.

During the festival, many people have stalls where they create beautiful displays of flowers for people to buy.

There is more than just flowers and plants to buy, there’s also Thai food and handicrafts.

King Rama IX is a huge park, covering around 200 acres and there are 2,300 plant species and loads of trees for shade on a sunny day, which is usually everyday here.

There are 6 different areas to the park.

The trunk of this tree reminds me of a giraffe setting out on a walk! Can you see it?

Then, there are the people who, like me, enjoy this beautiful green space a great deal. It depends on the time of day I visit as to whether there are many people about. The park gets busier as the sun goes down.

And last but not least.

I hope you enjoyed our little jaunt around King Rama IX Park. Just one of Bangkok’s parks in the city! 🙂

The Changing Seasons – March 2018

The Changing Seasons post, inspired by the lovely Sarah at Secret Art Expedition and hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch. Here is my round up of things I got up to during March.

As I hadn’t been out exploring much since I got back from Sri Lanka, I took myself off to Chulachomklao Fort in Phra Samut Chedi District, around 29 km south of Bangkok. Getting there was fun, I only knew that I had to take the 145 bus to Pak Nam Market, then take a boat across the river, and, finally, a truck to the fort. It always seems a bit of an adventure when you don’t really know the way. I had to ask a couple of people to find the market and once I had located the truck, it dropped me off, right at the fort.

First up, the gun park which tells you the history of the guns, although the information was all in Thai, so I just had to wander around and imagine.

This proud statue of King Rama V stands at the front of the fort.

The disappearing guns were used only once in 1893 when the fort protected the sovereignty of Thailand from French invasion. They were designed to be hauled up by their hydro-pneumatic system for firing and lowered again afterwards.

H.T.M.S Maeklong was in service for 60 years and deployed during WWII. It was fun to scamper about on her decks!

There’s a mangrove forest there too.

I forgot that I had heard about the resident monkeys that live there until this one started walking towards me! I was a little nervous!

But, thankfully, they didn’t pay me any attention and continued to play or groom each other, oblivious to my presence.

It was a great day out and, although the sea looked far from the usual images that you see in Thailand, it was good to get out and about.

I made a video of all the beautiful birds that I saw in Sri Lanka, and, the best bit, I didn’t even have to leave the confines of my friend’s garden to see them. They greeted us with their song in the morning and it was just fabulous to hear them and see all the different species that visited throughout the day.

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Nilla at Image Earth Travel for the work I do here on Talkingthailand. It’s always a joy to receive these nominations and it makes me feel happy and honoured that someone takes time out of their day to acknowledge me. Thank you again Nilla, it was very much appreciated.

At last, I picked up my sketch pad and drew something. Whenever I do this, I mean to do it more regularly, but I never get round to it. I should do it more because I love sitting down and creating something. This drawing is a copy of a painting I saw in an art gallery, but it has my own twist on it! It’s a combination of pencil, charcoal, and pastel crayons.

As well as showcasing my photographs on morrisophotography, I also upload my best shots to Viewbug, and I sometimes enter their free photo challenges. In March, I found out that 2 of my photos had been ranked in the top 50 and 1 in the top 80! When you consider the amount of people that enter these challenges, I was thrilled with this result!

Photography challenges — Artistic Wildlife Photo Challenge-Ranked Top 50

I started watching Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, presented by Neil deGrasse Tyson. His passion and knowledge of the universe, evolution, science and much more just oozes through his silky voice. Everytime I watch it, it (he) makes me want to learn all that he knows. It really is a fantastic and mind-blowing show. I thoroughly recommend watching it, if you haven’t already!

TV Recomendations — Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Photo Credit: http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/tv/cosmos-a-spacetime-odyssey/

So, that’s my March done and dusted. I’m already having an awesome April, I hope you are too 🙂

If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.