List of content
1. Background
Philosophy
2. Aims
3. Project synopsis
4. target group
5. Project activities
Silent Retreat
Experimental Community and natural farming
Media Study
Art
6. Expected outcomes
7. PR
8. Impact on the Cultures and the Development on the Field of Art Form
9. Expenses
10. Confirmed collaborators
11. Past documentation of our other projects
12. Project organizer
13. Profile of the supervisors and staff
1. Background
“the land foundation” is organizing the “One Year Project…Experimental Community” # 2 (2007-2008) to continue to develop new knowledge and further enhance the knowledge gained during the “One Year Project…Experimental Community” (2004-2005) which came before.
The land foundation would like to create new phenomena to relate and bridge the gap formal cultural organizations cannot fill because of existing rules and regulations. However, rather than blaming the latter, the land foundation hopes to introduce some alternatives and provide opportunities for the project participants to continuously raise questions and together search as widely as possible for answers without any expectations of correct answers, activities or use of simplistic readily-available facilities.
The land foundation offers its space for experimental alternative education. It gives opportunities for alternative learning. It promotes the spirit of thinking society and attempts to be a meeting point for discussions and multi-disciplinary instruction. It endeavors to bring together people from different disciplines and interests. All these efforts are in accordance with its aims to support and promote art and culture, natural farming and self -knowledge through the Vipassana Meditation techniques.
The land foundation emphasizes the development of critical thinking through the process of education and discussion. It also values the complexity and subtly occurring of the culture milieu. The land foundation, therefore, decided to curate projects under the philosophy to support and promote art and culture, natural farming and self-learning by Vipassana Meditation technique.
Philosophy
1. To promote and support natural farming
One of our basic need s is food. Natural farming aims to nourish our body and also enable people to live independently and naturally, imparting in them a certain sense of freedom and independence from the marketplace and a healthy relationship with the natural world.
2. To promote and support self-knowledge by Vipassana meditation techniques
Vipassana mediation empowers people to learn about and manage the workings of their mind, to have an understanding of other people and to be able to live together in society peacefully.
3. To promote and support artistic and cultural activities
Art provides the freedom to express thoughts in both an aesthetic and conceptual form. This is based on the concept that the artist and art are not separate; art is part of life and how life is lived. Art is a tool to communicate with society.
The land foundation believes that it takes time, intention and constancy to attain self-knowledge. Hence, the land foundation is developing a project called “One Year Project…Experimental Community”. With the intention to make it a continuous project, this “One Year Project” will support young cultural activists who have an interest in the land foundation’s philosophy. It also provides alternative education in a creative working atmosphere, in a natural setting and as added dimensions to alternative education.
2. Aims
The land foundation aims for the following:
1. To create an alternative community to bridge the gap, neglected by formal cultural organizations.
2. To strengthen relationship between existing alternative organizations.
3. To create a sustainable community encompassing learning; self-knowledge, alternative community, media and art.
4. To stimulate hope and enthusiasm to the older generation who are disillusioned with formal curricula.
5. To foster community spirit and infuse a measure of idealism into our society.
6. To create a working atmosphere for the individual with the focus on the whole self, an awareness of one’s own and thinking processes.
7. To provide a creative working atmosphere with outside groups and communities.
8. To encourage the expression of one’s own ideas in a public space, open for critique and acceptance of resulting.
3. Project synopsis, scope of learning and methodology
“One Year Project # 2” aims to continue the experiment of the experience sharing, knowledge gathering and personal, social and artistic development. It sees the importance of being an ‘Experimental Community’. It has the vision that the space of the land foundation can give dimension to community and integrate our ideals with current circumstances.
The goal of the “One Year Project 2” (2007-2008) is to give its advisor, project team and interested people an opportunity to become aware of difficulty and overcome fear; caused by habit and social pressure; fear associated with ‘materialism’ or ‘capitalism’. By doing so, they can express themselves, thinking independently and not rely on the main stream. They will learn to be by themselves to be with nature and to perceive suitable relationships like that arising from interaction, generosity and self-adaptation. For example a professor from Chiang Mai University (CMU) walked for 1,200 kilometers for 2 months totally depends on himself and kindness of strangers. Our project will train them to prepare for the unexpected, to be open-minded and to be creative in order to sustain their life.
“One Year Project 2” dreams of an ideal world based on multi-disciplinary and lateral thinking. The project team visualizes the project to be realized by adaptation of the land foundation’s philosophy and practice that is to create equilibrium of life and work, as well as, on the conceptual level, giving direction based on experience from the artistic and intellectual world. The project team is free to conduct this wide-opened project.
Most of the project team staff was participants in the first ‘One Year Project’ (2004 – 2005). They have faith in the purpose of the land foundation and have the courage to further the opportunity the land foundation offers. They will creatively bring both their direct and in-direct experience from the ‘One Year Project’ into management and organization of the ‘One Year Project # 2’. The advisory board of committee will give advice closely. The “One Year Project” is a life-long project, not merely a one-time event. Therefore, the project organization believes in constant review and improvement.
4. target group
The ‘One Year Project # 2’ is open to people from diverse disciplines, from in and outside the country. The project focuses on people who are willing to learn and who would like to share their experience, create and contribute new knowledge. It is looking for thinkers, intellectuals and people who have a broad field of interests, under the condition that they intend to stay in the experimental community together and participate full-time for one year. However, the project organizer does not intend to select participants under the criteria generally used by conventional institutions. We would like to provide equal opportunity to potential participants. That is because we belief that each individual has goodness and beauty in him/herself. We would like this project to be interdisciplinary education and an alternative for society. Our experience from the “One Year Project’ strongly suggests that the nature of the participants and the nature of the project will prove of the participants’ intention and naturally become the selection criteria. The “One Year Project’ moreover is open to the general public throughout its duration.
5. Project activities
The ‘One Year Project # 2’ consists of both theory and practice. The project manager will oversee the project as well as coordinate organizations and panelists. Besides that the participants will be taken care by coaches and learn from panelists and other participants. Universities, alternative communities as well as the participants will provide information. Activities will be divided distinctively according to interest in a program, time and space. Apart from the fixed agenda, activities to be discussed below will infuse modestly into other area, according to our principle that all activities and disciplines are related and support each other along with the idea that different points of view enable better learning.
The curriculum consists of 4 parts as follows:
1. Self-knowledge by the Vipassana Mediation Technique: To understand how the ego works and to express sincere respect to others.
This program provides a ‘Silent Retreat’ session which will enable the participants to slow down their pace, to think, consider, engage in thoughts, to revise and gradually clear mental complexes or disturbances. Through interspection, individuals will clear their minds and become open to new possibilities.
2. Natural farming and self-sustainable living: To respect the ecosystem and support sustainable living in urban as well as rural areas.
This program provides an opportunity to explore other existing alternative communities, to get to know them, to visit, to learn their philosophy and their operations. The program seeks to network and collaborate with these communities to strengthen this visions. The experience and knowledge gained from field studies will be applicable to the development of the site of the land foundation.
1. Media study: To understand the concept and role of media, to have awareness and be able to see through and analyze social phenomenon.
This program will enhance the understanding of Media as well as its use and its influence. The participants will learn to create, develop and experiement with Media.
2. Art: To understand art in terms of tools for cultural communication and to spend time and pay attention to the importance of the thinking process
This program will give a chance to be together in an experimental community. Staying together in a studio, the participants will learn the theory of Art, study the history of art, work on their own art, share ideas, search for information as this process will be resource for inspiration and in their work.
Each part will take about 3 months; however there will be infused for consideration throughout the project. Please see the time schedule as program attachment;
Program: Silent Retreat
Duration: October 1st – December 31st, 2007 (3 months)
Advisor: Mr. Mit
Project coordinator: Mr. Tepparrit Nantasakul and Mr. Jirasak Saengpolsith
Aims:
– To depart from busy and hectic surroundings and develop awareness of their state of mind in order to be prepared for learning
– To keep body, speech and thoughts under control and to observe happenings in oneself
– To relate and understand the changes and apply these to everyday life practice
Project concept:
The concept is to be able to stop, to tranquilize body, speech and mind for peace within and outside, the starting point of learning to observe oneself and his/her environment, to prepare to share life together within a new community. The Silence from peace permits various paths for learning; each of which is a foundation and asset of life. It is this truth that we want to explore; orientation, forest trek and maintain balance.
Activities:
1st phase: Orientation: October 1st -31st, 2007
learning basic theory and practice by following courses offered by numbers of meditation centers
Activity 1
– Taking a 10 –day Vipassana Meditation course, following the tradition of Master Sayagyi U Ba Khin as taught by Master S.N. Goenka, focuses on wisdom and equanimity, see more information http://www.dhamma.org
Venue: Dhamma Abha Vipassana Centre, Phitsanulok
Duration: 10 days
Activity 2
– Taking a 7 – 10 days Vipassana Meditation course focuses on(Four) Foundations of Mindfulness; stand, walk, sit and sleep, as taught by Khun Mae Siri Karinchai
http://www.vipassanachiangmai.com
Venue: The participants can choose from the following locations; Chiang Mai Vipassana Foundation: Training Center,Baan Hoy Som, or Jomthong Temple, or Ram Peung Temple, all in Chiang Mai
Duration: 7-10 days
Activity 3
– Doing a 7 days Vipassana Meditation practice
Venue: Tham Doi Ton Temple, Chiang Mai
Duration: 7-10 days
2nd phase: Forest Trek: 1-30 November 2007
This period will focus on applying the theory and practical experience gained claming development; the mind in the former meditation retreat. As is practiced in the forest monk tradition, the participants wander during a period of Austere Practices; in order to remove character faults. The route they will take is through forests, high mountains, wilderness or infertile places and remote areas where barely any community or communication is available. The purpose of this is to observe and learn the importance and the necessity of the nature of silence, peace and self-sufficiency.
Activity 4
– Wandering /going on journey through forests and mountains
Venue: Inthanon Mountain, Chiang Dao Mountain and Keung Mountain.
Duration: 30 days
3rd phase: 1st -31st December 2007
Learning to live and follow the activities according to philosophy of the land foundation; Live in the present peacefully and practice Vipassana Meditation continuously; Follow and practice self-reliance; following principles of natural farming and alternative technology; Apply art and maintain balance in the everyday life; Learn to be aware of the subtlety which we often overlook in daily life.
Location:
Activity 5
– Apply knowledge gained to everyday life practice
Venue: the land foundation and City of Chiang Mai
Duration: 30 days and the rest of the project duration
Program: Experimental Community and natural farming
Duration: January 1st – March 31st, 2008 (3 months)
Advisor: Mr. Kamin Lertchaiprasert
Project coordinator: Ms. Deunthalae Inchan
Aims:
Learning natural farming, doing research through existing research and literature for example ‘the One Straw Revolution’ and ‘The Road back to Nature’. Learning from experience of farmers and people who have devoted themselves to natural agriculture infused with nature. Direct experience and knowledge gained will be applied on agricultural projects at the actual site of the land foundation according to its principles; to be self-sustaining, nature friendly and community based.
Project concept and activities:
Activities 1 Self-care taught by Mr. Eakachai Jinachan at Traditional Thai Health Care Center
Self-care at Traditional Thai Health Care Center is a course to learn about alternative living, consistent with nature. The course content covers eating, living, resting and health care which is believed to be a concrete fundamental understanding about alternative ways of living. Activities will include natural rice planting, mud and bamboo house building, Yoga and Chi-gong exercise, health care cooking, healing with natural treatment and acupuncture, etc.
Venue: Baan Suan Sai Lom Joy, Sankamphaeng, Chiang Mai
Duration: 7 days
Activities 2 Permaculture by village chief Wiboon Khemchaleurm
Permaculture is a mixture of types of agriculture on the same piece of land. It has been developed in order to improve both health and productivity of land. Aiming at the continuity of nature we use friendly methods to grow edible plants, trees, fruits and herbs as well as economized perennial and companion plants. This results in higher yields, without relying on chemical fertilizers and insecticides.
Venue: Amphur Sanam Chaikhet, Chacheung Trao
Duration: 4 nights 5 days
Activities 3 Organic Agriculture by Khun Amnoy Chawalit
Khun Amnoy Chawalit, a lady who has turned herself towards organic farming, following her memory of traditions of her ancestors. She has also invited her relatives to work on organic farming. Over a piece of land of 12 rais, they plants their favorite vegetables and fruits. Learning from trial and error, eventually they found a certain thought to free themselves from the constraints at conventional agriculture.
Venue: Suphann Buri
Duration: 2 nights 3 days
Activities 4 Study of Indigenous Dwellers and their harmonious life styles by Mr. Preut Oh Dechao
Another method to understand nature besides natural farming is way of living with forest of tribes like Pakakayor Tribe. This tribe does very little in farm crop but spend a lot of time in forest. They however survive very well in their environment and help protect natural resources.
Venue: Amphur Sameung, Chiang Mai
Duration: 3 nights 4 days
Activities 5 Visit to PhuPha Fah Nam Intentional Community
A visit to a strong alternative community; concrete and abstract aspect show on enough production for their members, adequate raw products for small scale industry to increase community income and spiritually they follow Buddhist morality in living together in the community
Venue: PhuPha Fa Nam Community, Amphur Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
Duration: 3 nights 4 days
Activities 6 Agricultural farming at the land foundation
1. Fruit planting according to member’s need. They will look for seeds from the market or from sources such as the communities we have visited, traditional farmers and the seed bank (see below)
2.Tree-planiting for future use for example teak, bamboo, rubber tree, palm, ormosia, pterocarpus, etc.
3. Kitchen garden for meals, seed collection in collaboration with Seed Bank, by Mr. Jon Jandai, for example corn, taro, sweet potato, sesame, bean, etc.
4. Natural chicken and duck farm for eggs
5. Rice planting according to traditional farming supervised by Mr. Wai, and other local farmers
Venue: the land foundation, Amphur Sanpatong, Chiang Mai
Duration: Throughout the project period
Program: Media Study
Duration: April 1st – July 31th , 2008 (3 months)
Advisor: Mr. Uthit Atimana
Project coordinator: Mr. Praphonsak La-or and Mr. Surachet Sukumolnun
Aims
Media study is a project focusing on building an understanding of the concepts, underlining Media as tools that reflect the intersection of individual community and society. It also emphasizes an analysis of cause and effect behind social phenomenon. In addition it pays attention to the understanding of consequent affecting, effect to way of individual, the economy, politics, education, art and design, society and globalization of contemporary culture. We hope that the understanding arising from this project enable people to understand the culture in which they live.
Media Study Project divided into 2 parts as follows;
1. Learning process and Media Philosophy
This learning process focuses on observation and discussion associated with the previous sections during the Silent Retreat project, Experimental Community and natural farming project. This period will open up discussion of meaning and role of Media. The Media Arts and Design Center, Chiang Mai University (CMU) will introduce intellectual, community and social level to share their knowledge with the participants. The program will be open to the public. The platform for open discussion will take place at the Faculty of Fine Arts, CMU, Media Arts and Design Centers, CMU, and the land foundation.
2. Experiment of Thinking
This forum will take place throughout the ‘One Year Project # 2’ and will include discussion of art and culture as part of the project in the later section.
Discussion activities
The land foundation regularly organizes an ongoing discussion on Media in order to broaden the understanding of the role Media play in our society.Tthe project team will invite panelists from different files for the benefit of the project participants and the public in general. Six discussions will be organized. The project team will be in charge of inviting four panelists who are relevant to the subject matter. The participants may choose the other two panelists.
Panelists
1. Prof. Thasnai Sethaseree
A professor of the Media Arts and Design Center, CMU, He has specialized in the history of thought and is also a conceptual social artist who studied the history of mass psychology.
2. Mr. Navin Lawanchaikul
An artist who bases his interest on community collaboration, he applies local community history to his art work, which later has become accepted on the international art scene.
3. Prof. Thanet Chareunmeung
A professor of the Faculty of Sociology in the Political Sciences Department, He is an alert observer of political, environmental and social trend within Chiangmai.
4. Mr. Kitti Suwannapokin
Film and literature critic he promotes a deeper understanding of Media by integrates his social theory and local perspective.
Program: Art
Duration: 1st August – 30st September, 2008 (3 months)
Advisor:Mr. Rirkrit Tiravanija
Project coordinator: Mr. Aroon Puritat
Aims:
1. To develop and share ideas, theory and history of art
2. To follow the contemporary art and culture movement both inside and outside the country
3. To create an individual work atmosphere in order to focus on oneself, one’s thinking, consideration and experience gained from previous sections
4. To create a creative work atmosphere which will become an inspiration for collaborative work with participants in the group and community
Brief idea
The project participants will stay together in an open studio. The land foundation will provide basic facility for living throughout the period of 3 months. They will portray their interest into their individual project as well as share ideas in collaborative project which they will design together with other participants. The use of material and equipment depends on each project. Simultaneously, during the work process, they will discuss ideas closely with supervisors and coaches. Guest panelists will be invited to share experience and knowledge every 3 weeks. The proceeding will be documented in the form of images, sound, text and publications posted onto the land foundation website and other relevant. web-sites. At the end of the project all documents, knowledge and experience gained will be collected for education purposes for the broader public.
Project concept and activities:
Concept 1 Studio for Thinking
Most artists nowadays do not pay much attention to the importance of the thinking process. The ‘One Year Project # 2’ will, therefore, provide a space for a creative working atmosphere. The space will be open widely for learning and for all kinds of experiments. It is designed for the participants so that they will be able to settle within the moment and spend time on thinking; about themselves, their ideas and reconsideration. This workshop sees the importance of lateral thinking and working process more than the end result. This studio program will challenge the participants to break through conventional framework or certain regulations and confront with possibility to experiment.
Activity 1
The project participants will stay and work together in an open studio at the land for 3 months. Their needs taken care of by coaches and supervisors.
Concept 2 Discussion
A common feature of Thai culture is avoidance of confrontation and criticism. This aspect benefits the society by creating social harmony, but can hinder the creative process. On the other hand some individuals have a tendency to be overconfident and overbearing that can result in the lack of respect for others, which can also hinder the creative process. Therefore, the ‘One Year Project # 2’ will provide an opportunity to discuss and share ideas with intellectuals from different disciplines in order to enable the participants to enhance their knowledge. Such disciplines include architecture, social sciences, humanities, art and cultural management. We believe that knowledge of other disciplines will enhance the participants’ understanding of art. Moreover, this will strengthen personal development; self-confidence and respect for others and their opinions. In addition it will encourage them to express their ideas openly without fear of criticism.
Activity 2
There will be twelve discussions during the three months period. Project supervisor and coaches will invite 4 guests as key panelists. The participants will choose the other eight panelists.
The first four key panelists are
1. Prof. Thanet Wongyannawa
2. Prof. Nithi Eieuwsriwong
3. Ms. Himito Na Tokyo
4. Ms. Pen Pakkata Jai-Inn
Activity 3 field trip
Direct experience can have a powerful effect on the learning process and make vivid the academic experience. Onsite visits and meetings new people will broaden the participants’ horizon. Plus they will learn to recognize the role and affect which these people and organizations, have networking for future collaboration.
Architectural field trip:
1. Historical/ old building: Ton Kwean Temple, Heinrich Boell Foundation, Ban Mon Fai, etc.
2. Artist House: Rirkrit Tiravanija, Kamin Lertchaiprasert, Thaivijit Pheungkasemsomboon, Prof. Jukatat Kititbut, etc.
Art and cultural management:
1. Public organization: Chiang Mai National Museum, CMU Art Museum, Center for Promotion of Art and Culture, CMU, etc.
2. Private organization: Ji-Qoo, Laluna, etc.
6 Expected outcomes
1. An alternative community which bridges the gap in education unachieved by formal institutions
2. Strong relationship building between existing alternative organizations.
3. A sustainable community atmosphere within the scope of learning; self-knowledge, alternative community, media and art
4. A reconciliation of our aspirations with social reality
5. Alternative education which allows time for reflection
6. A multidisciplinary based knowledge and way of living
7. Inspiration and encouragement for individual, group and community work
8. Challenge and encouragement for self-confidence, respect for other and acceptance of different opinions.
7 PR
We plan to publicize our work through all kinds of media, for example, radio, TV, and publications such as magazines, art and cultural newsletters, newspapers, posters and flyers. In addition we hope to spread the word throughout website, and by word of month.
8 Impacts on the Cultures and the Development on the Field of Art Form
The end result will be people who taken their time to develop themselves intellectually, spiritually and artistically, who they can go back to society as agent of positive changes.
9 Expenses
Total expenses 1,090,800 THB or 34,087 USD
Please see details in an attachment
10 Confirmed collaborators
Confirmed collaborators
– the land foundation, Thailand
Provides accommodation, office and studio support, guest lecturers
- Media Arts and Design Center, CMU, Thailand
Provides space, media support and guest lecturers
- The faculty of Fine Arts, CMU, Thailand
Provides space, guest lecturers
11 Past documentation of our other projects
– One Year Project catalogue with a CD
– Nothing catalogue
– A book ’20 hours How to become an Artist?’
12 Project organizer
the land foundation
Address: 25 Soi 13 Sirimangkalajarn Road, Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
Tel./Fax. 053-212220
e-mail: [email protected]
website: http://www.thelandfoundation.org
Profile of the supervisors and staff
Supervisor:
1. Rirkrit Tiravanija
Tiravanija’s life has been a perpetual negotiation of different cultures: he was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Thailand, Ethiopia, and Canada; he was educated in Chicago and New York; and his work has been exhibited across Europe, Asia, North America, and South Africa. He was constantly adjusting to different languages and customs, different modes of communication and interaction. As a result, he has a remarkable ability to strike up an intimate relation with anyone and an inherent love of dialogue, conversation, and human interaction. Everywhere he goes, Tiravanija creates a space of interaction and allows art to unfold as life, as communication, as “what happens between people.” He is well-known in the international art-scene and also has a lot of influence in the Thai art scene. Tiravanija together with Mr. Lertchaiprasert started the land project, now the land foundation, a platform of and for social engagement, focused on contemporary art and culture, natural farming and sustainable living and self-learning by Vipassana meditation. At present he is the chairman of the land foundation, a guest lecturer at Columbia University, and independent artist.
2. Paphonsak La-or
Mr. La-or has been Vice Chairman the land foundation since 2006. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University, specializing in painting. He has been actively involved in the art scene of the land foundation and in Chiang Mai as an independent artist in the project Art Against War (Beyond Peace and War) (2001), One Day Eu-Ka-Beuk project (two month for cultural sketches) (2002), One Year Project (Experimental Community) (2004), Sørfinsset Skole, the Norland, a part of Artistic Interruptions/ Art in Nordland, Gildeskål, Norway (2005) at present he also works voluntarily for the Alumni Club, Faculty of Fine Arts Chiang Mai University.
3. Kamin Lertchaiprasert
Mr. Lertchaiprasert’s works involve an exploration of his ideas and emotions gathered from his daily interaction with society and everyday life practice based on his interest in Buddhism which he became involved from the mid-90s. His work is particularly inspired by Vipassana meditation. His artworks are more like a dairy or a series focused on his mental space, more than the physical world. Along with his personal artistic career, he was also a guest lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University. He started a project called Umong Silppadhama as a free space for young artists and with the intention to infuse contemporary art, culture and religion into everyday-life practice. Together with Mr. Tiravanija, Mr. Lertchaiprasert started the land project in 1998 as a platform of and for social engagement involving contemporary art and culture, natural farming, sustainable living and self-knowledge by Vipassana meditation. At present he is a self-supporting artist, the co-founder and advisory-board member of the land foundation.
4. Uthit Atimana
Mr. Atimana is a keen intellectual and thinker in contemporary art and social media study. He started the ‘Chiang Mai Art Installation’ project (1993 – 1996). He was the vice-dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, CMU for the CMU Art Museum (2000-2004) and was the director of the Media Arts and Design Center, CMU (2003-2005). At present he is a board member of the land foundation, a lecturer for the Media Arts and Design Center, CMU and is a PhD fellow of Media Study at the Rajchapat Suan Dusith, Bangkok.
5. Mit
At present he is a friend of the land foundation and an independent artist.
Project manager:
6. Sasiwimon Wongjarin
Ms. Wongjarin has been working for nearly three years with ‘the land foundation’. She has applied her knowledge in art and cultural management from the study of Museology at Reinwardt academy, Amsterdam School of the Arts in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and her previous work as a project-coordinator at the Chiang Mai University (CMU) Art Museum, Chiang Mai. She also worked on ‘the land foundation’s previous ‘One Year Project…Experimental Community’ (2004 -2005). Together with participants and staff of the project, she shared her ongoing experience and proposed some improvements for the program. She will be in charge of the overall operation of the ‘One Year Project…Experimental Community 2’ (2007 -2008)
Staff:
7. Aroon Puritat
Mr. Puritat graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University. His background in architecture has been very helpful to the establishment of the land project, in a number of its architectural projects and in landscape development. He is a regular contributor to and moderator of talks, seminars and exhibitions within the organization. Mr. Puritat’s work involving the merging of art and architectural ideas. He also works as a freelance writer for Art4D, an art, design and architecture magazine and Wallpaper Magazine (Thai edition), an international design, interior design, art, travel and fashion magazine.
8. Thepparit Nuntasakun
Mr. Nuntasakun is an independent cultural activist. After his graduation from the Bangkok Business College in Human Resources he was an ordained Buddhist monk for more than 7 years. He participated in the One Year Project…Experimental Community (2004-2005) organized by the land foundation. He, along with other participants, went to Norway in July 2005 for the Sørfinnset skole/ the Nordland project. Since then he has been actively involved as a volunteer in the land foundation. He has started a charity project for a vegetarian donation center. He initiated and works on an on-going project called ‘Love is coming soon’.
9. Mr. Jirasak Saengpolsith
Mr. Saengpolsith is a young artist working closely with Kamin Lertchaiprasert and Rirkrit Tiravanija. He has been working and volunteering nearly a decade on the land project and continues to do so. Besides that, he is an MA student in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Chiang Mai University. He started his artistic career as an assistant to artist Navin Lawanchaikul at the Taipei Biennale (2000), participated in the Hue College of Fine Art Exchange Student Program, in Vietnam, assisted as volunteer to Kamin Lerchaiprasert and Karl Holmquist in the Venice Biennale (2004), was a representative of the land foundation in July 2005, in July 2006 and in 2007 will also be at the Sørfinnset skole/ the Nordland project in Norway. He also was a representative artist at the “Tropical Night Event, Lost in Paradise”, at the Palais de Tokyo, France 2006. He is now doing his thesis on a Vipssana meditation techniques in the tradition of Master Sayagyi U-Ba-khin as taught by S.N. Goenka.
10. Deunthalae Inchan
Ms. Inchan is an MA student in Philosophy and Religion at Chiang Mai University. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Industrial Psychology. She worked in a Practicum for Human Resources for a few companies in Thailand and later became an independent field-researcher for various organizations and individuals. Since August 2005 she has been actively involved as a volunteer in the land foundation and community forest protection NGOs. She is interested in reading, trekking and other recreational activities.
11. Surachet
Mr. Sukomolnun finished his bachelor’s degree at the Technology Rajchamongkol Bangkok. He studies media and its influence. At present he has enrolled in a Master’s Degree Program at the King Rama IV Ladgrabang Technology University for Photography and Film.
12. Duangporn Inchan
Ms. Inchan graduated from the Rajchapat Chiang Rai, the Faculty of Humanity with a major in Business English. She is interested in experimental community, now learning more about contemporary art and culture, focusing on interaction with the larger community. She has experience working with artists and cultural activists from the ‘One Year Project’ (2004-2005). At present she works as a administrative officer at the land foundation.
Text and translation by Sasiwimon Wongjarin
English Edited by Bill Dovhey and Eric Arnow