The Spirits of Maritime Crossing

The Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation presents The Spirits of Maritime Crossing, a Collateral Event of the 60th International Venice Biennale. The exhibition presents artworks by 15 artists from Southeast Asia exploring themes of displacement, diaspora, and colonialism. On view from April 20 to November 24, 2024, and curated by Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Bangkok Art Biennale, The Spirits of Maritime Crossing delves into the complex realities of Southeast Asia. It reflects on the region’s diverse cultures and histories, contrasting them with Western narratives. 

The exhibition showcases works by fifteen artists, including a collaborative film by Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda and Marina Abramović, in which she makes her acting debut, as well as artworks by Khvay Samnang, Moe Satt, Jakkai Siributr, Priyageetha Dia, and more. It provides commentary and reflection on crucial conversations from the Global South, as a region frequently marginalised within the broader narrative of these conversations. Spanning various mediums such as painting, sculpture, mixed media, and video, The Spirits of Maritime Crossing explores the concept of maritime tide and crossing beyond trade and commerce, while exploring the ebbs and flows of cultural exchanges.

Curator
Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Bangkok Art Biennale, has curated and directed international art exhibitions across Asia, Europe, USA, and Oceania including Traditions/Tensions, New York; Thai and Australian sections, Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art; Asian section, São Paulo Biennial; Thai section, Istanbul Biennial; Commissioner, Thai Pavilion, the 50th, 51st, and 52nd, International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia; and Tout à Fait Thai, Paris.

Artists
Marina Abramović (Serbia/US) & Pichet Klunchun (Thailand), Priyageetha Dia (Singapore), Chitti Kasemkitvatana (Thailand) & Nakrob Moonmanas (Thailand), Khvay Samnang (Cambodia), Jompet Kuswidananto (Indonesia) Bounpaul Phothyzan (Laos PDR) Alwin Reamillo (The Philippines) Moe Satt (Myanmar) Jakkai Siributr (Thailand) Truong Cong Tung (Vietnam) Natee Utarit (Thailand) Kawita Vatanajyankur (Thailand) Yee I-Lann (Malaysia/Italy) 

Venue
Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana was once the home of British Consul Joseph Smith, who was a passionate art collector. He was an agent of Canaletto and patron of Venetian painters. Smith and his wife, soprano singer Catherine Tofts, turned the palazzo into a bustling social and artistic hub for art collectors, patrons, scholars, aficionados, artists, actors, musicians, philosophers, diplomats, and dignitaries. Among the visitors were Pietro Longhi, Giovanni Baptista Piazzetta, Giuseppe Zais, Carlo Goldoni, Rosalba Carriera. Count Giuseppe Mangilli who later became owner commissioned Giannantonio Selva to direct the decoration of the interiors in neoclassical style with subjects related to virtue, amour, and sacrifice. The palazzo is still perfectly preserved and will open to the public after 12 years with the launch of The Spirits of Maritime Crossing.

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm; closed on public holidays

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