Exploring themes of art in the local context, this week of public art interaction was a part of the annual Chiang Mai Social Installation. The Navin Cooperative Societysplit in two, with one part a collaboration with 20 tuk-tuk drivers who wore special uniforms based upon the mor-hom (traditional northern blue shirt), which embellished with a logo derived from traditional Lanna language that spelled out “We”, meaning together. Inside each tuk-tuk were postcards depicting the drivers in uniform, with each card pre-addressed to people around the world, including recognised art aficionados and even heads of state. Passengers could write a message and send it to that person, with a post box installed in each tuk-tuk. The tuk-tuk paraded through the city on January 1^st. Collaborating with Rirkrit Tiravanija and Kosit Juntaratip, the project also comprised an installation made from bamboo sticky rice boxes which were shaped to spell out “We are the Children of Sticky Rice” in Lanna language. The rice boxes were filled with more than 200 kilograms of sticky rice which was served to the public at a spot in the city centre. The dinner was spiced with a feast of larb, a minced meat salad often served at festivals, and the night was livened by a Pink Love music concert hosted by Kosit and a local band. Very much a social occasion, the project also pitched special logo flags across the Chansom Memorial Bridge, a walking bridge known as Indian Bridge which was built by a local Indian businessman in 1966, and is located near the Indian community where Navin was born.

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