This weekend may just find you sauntering over to Ari-Pradiphat for the latest installation of Bangkok Design Week 2021.
The festival, which kicked off in Chareonkrung-Songward before moving on to the Thonglor-Ekamai, is now taking over the streets of Ari-Pradiphat. The lively district, which has seen harmonious interactions between its original residents and new settlers, is currently hosting its own set of creative initiatives, including art exhibitions, workshops, small community events and promotions from many cool cafés.
The exhibitions are mainly located in galleries and around the landmarks of Ari-Pradiphat, such as Josh Hotel, Gump Ari and Feast Ratchakru. Here are some highlights that we think you shouldn't miss.
Hotel Interim, which takes place in Josh Hotel, portrays seven stories by different artists that center around staying in a hotel. For example, a room that’s covered in black plastic is called ZERO STAGE. Created by designer team s p / n, it cheekily reveals the “covering up” of what previous guests left so as to welcome new guests to the room.
There’s also Clues of Care by architect team Cloud-floor, which tells the stories of housekeepers in hotels around Ari-Pradiphat and shows the details that we don’t see when staying in a hotel. We are also privy to the dedication of housekeepers, who arrange and clean every piece in the room to maintain the standards of a hotel.
The artwork TRACE by CREME, located in a small corner, is worth your attention as well. The storage room is often overlooked by guests, yet it is a necessary element in a hotel. Built for the purpose of keeping what the hotel does not want guests to see, such as stuff that gets left behind and cleaning products, it is also considered as a private room for housekeepers, where they can take a rest, have a chat or exchange secrets about the guests.
ANALOGOUS by Mæwtāy, along the corridor of the second floor, shines its focus on the hotel room itself, a place that witnesses the steady spate of new guests and the unfolding of new stories. On the contrary, the furniture in the room is getting old, and is rearranged over and over. To further emphasize this repetitive cycle, the artist hung luminous sheets on both sides of the corridor, allowing guests to see their repeated reflection when walking through.
After you’ve had your fill of the exhibitions at Josh Hotel, hop over to food center Feast Ratchakru. A booth outside the establishment banners the pink logo of Ari Around, the neighborhood’s new recycle platform, first launched during Bangkok Design Week. You can bring old books, bottles and cans and exchange them for AriCoins through the AriAround application. These virtual coins can be used in cafes and restaurants in Ari-Pradiphat or swap them at the AriAround booth for a bar of soap. Bonus: You already get 300 AriCoins when you download the application.
Bangkok Design Week 2021 runs at Ari-Pradiphat until July 11. For Hotel Interim, you can register via https://hotel-interim.com/20116412 or visit https://hotel-interim.com/ for the virtual tour.