To mark the 2010 centenary of Chiang Mai’s Warorot market, known locally as Kad Luang, an internationally recognised Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul who himself grew up in his family’s fabric store within this market, has initiated a community-based arts festival namely the “Māhākād”. Directed by his team at Navin Production Studio, and in collaboration with various community groups, the project will be held at the market and within the neighborhood. Reflected in its multi-cultural title that references the ancient Indian epic, Mahābhārata, this festival aims to promote awareness of the local identities and their unique cultures. A vehicle to launch a dynamic ‘epic’ collaborative experimental communication platform recognising the potential of community engagement, integrating contemporary arts, traditional artisans and creative awareness into the markets diverse social multi-cultural community.

Incorporating newly conceived artworks by Navin Production Studio in cooperation with guest artists, the festival will provide the first occasion for the public to experience the site-specific exhibition in the central forum of the main market building. An associated exhibition is to be housed in the Luang Anusarnsunthorn Residence, an historic building in the area, which also functions as the festival information center. The multifaceted presentation also includes a documentary video with oral histories and personal images that evoke a kaleidoscope of memories of Kad Luang market community, as well as a related photo exhibition by respected philanthropist Luang Anusarnsunthorn (1867-1934) and senior biographical photographer Boonserm Satrabhaya whose prolific body of work and collections of old photographs has faithfully preserved and documented Chiang Mai’s past.

As a reflection on the current face of the market community, housed at the market building and several other locations award winning contemporary photographer, Dow Wasiksiri noted for his humorous snapshot cityscapes is invited to create visual dialogues linking the past to the present. Housed at the well preserved Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum, which jointly celebrates its 100th year anniversary, a well known Lanna painter Pornchai Jaima presents a large mural depicting the Kad Luang community in the past, which is exhibited in dialogue with performance artist Chakkrit Chimnok whose work reflects today’s life along the Ping River. The most essential element, representing the local youth and our future, the Festival includes workshops with Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Architecture and Kamthieng elementary school students. In collaboration with Compass magazine, a respected in style publication, a special bilingual issue is published for Māhākād Festival and made freely available to the public.

The opening events were held during the Christmas weekend of 25-26 December, 2010. Accompanying activities included a tour of the project sites to experience firsthand market life. The events culminated in a symposium with a distinguished panel discussion about community engagement in contemporary art practices.

Māhākād Festival is on view until February 6, 2011

Warorot Market (Kad Luang)

As a commemoration to Kad Luang centennial celebration’s the focal point of the exhibition is a panoramic view photograph depicting more than 200 market folk representing the community, past and present, a gathering on the main access road in front of Kad Luang as a ‘grand scale’ frieze style painting reproduced in monochrome. A work realised by Navin Production team, this centrepiece is presented inside the forum of the main market building alongside hand-painted movie posters composed of the historical imagery taken from the market place together with personal photographs and images of the community, thus expressing the diversity of cultures within Kad Luang. An exhibition by Assada Porananond compiled of a series of community portrait photographs are hung along the overhead walkway bridging Kad Luang and Kad Ton Lumyai. Throughout this area you can witness the essence of Māhākād including the Indian fabric stores, the Chinese Shrines and the wealth in variety of goods and wares sold by local northern Thai vendors. A portrait of a living museum an Epic of Arts and life played out in the market place.

Located at the crossroads between Chang Moi and Vichayanond Road
Open: Daily 06:00 – 18:00 hrs. (market building) 06:00 – 24:00 hrs. (walkway)

Anusarnsunthorn Residence

Anusarnsunthorn Residence compound was built in 1897 by the late respected Chiang Mai philanthropist and pioneer photographer, Luang Anusarnsunthorn (1867-1934). This elegant interior is converted into a main exhibition space for Māhākād Festival. Also functioning as the festival’s Information Center, the multifaceted exhibition includes an unseen photographic exhibition by Luang Anusarnsunthorn and senior biographical photographer Boonserm Satrabhaya whose prolific body of work and collections of old photographs has faithfully preserved and documented Chiang Mai’s past. Alongside Navin Production’s newly commissioned artworks in conjunction with videos documenting, so preserving an oral history of the Kad Luang community. The exhibition also includes experimental works by architectural students that reflect the current face of the market and its future.

Located on Thapae road, near Nawarat Bridge junction, opposite Buddhastan (Buddhist Association)
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 19:00 hrs.

Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum

Formerly the Mae Ping Post Office, this attractive well preserved colonial style building is celebrating its 100th anniversary jointly with Kad Luang market. The Philatelic Museum is located on the banks of the Ping River near Ton Lumyai market. The Māhākād exhibition is on display on the 2nd floor. Creating an interesting dialogue with the museum’s collection of old equipment and photographs, Dow Wasiksiri’s conceptual photography links the past to the present with his superb snapshots taken around the market place. Situated in an a joining room, a grand mural depicts the Kad Luang community from the past by well known Lanna painter Pornchai Jaima whose concept of the lost beautiful temple at this market place was based on images inspired from a dream. The work is being displayed in dialogue with documentation by Chakkrit Chimnok, a performance artist whom recently traveled the Ping River and recorded his journey. This exhibition includes unique handmade postcards created by students from Kamthieng Primary School which is located next to the museum. Visitors are invited to write postcards in exchange for a donation towards the school’s art activities fund.  

Located on Praisanee Road, opposite the Traffic Police Centre
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 8.30 – 16.30 hrs.
Except Public Holidays

Chansom Anuson Bridge

Another exhibition site proud to be part of the Māhākād Festival is located at Chansom Anuson Bridge or Khua Khaek, the latter is the name used by the locals. The word ‘Khua’ means bridge whereas ‘Khaek’ refers to an Indian merchant Montri Kosalaphirom known to everyone as Motiram who was the owner of “Chiang Mai Store”, a renowned fabric shop in Kad Luang. Perhaps this bridge could be called the Taj Mahal of Chiang Mai. Motiram built the bridge in 1966 in memory of Chansom his beloved wife. It is the third bridge to be built at this point on the Ping River. The former two bridges were firstly Khua Kula, recorded as the first bridge in Thailand which was designed and built by Dr. Marian M. Cheek an American Missionary (The locals of Chiang Mai called westerners Kula). The ‘Kula’ Bridge was washed away by floods so the community together built a woven bamboo bridge that was repaired annually following the rainy season. In a dialogue with this historical bridge whilst facing present day environmental issues in the area, the festival presents a series of old photographs of Chiang Mai’s past showing a peaceful vignette of life on the Ping River.

Located next to the Flower market behind Ton Lumyai market. The bridge connects the market place with the historical community of Wat Ket Karam temple.
Open: Daily 24 hrs

Gallery

Opening