MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art in

MOCA is the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok. It is located in 499 Kamphaengphet 6 Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak. This museum is a special, serene place and definitely worth a visit if you are in Bangkok. The MOCA is supposed to provide a solid platform in building “Art Society” in thus encouraging newcomer in various branches of arts. This is the museum’s vision.

MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art

At the MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok*

This museum was established by Mr. Boonchai Bencharongkul in honour of Prof. Silpa Bhirasri (Corrado Feroci) who is considered the ‘Father of Thai Contemporary Arts’. What is more, the MOCA is also supposed to appreciate the great favour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

An artist at work – preserving the essence of Thainess at MOCA*

The Italian-born Prof. Silpa Bhirasri (1892-1963) worked mainly in Thailand and was ground-breaking in establishing modern art in Thailand. In addition, he was instrumental in founding Silpakorn University. In accordance with Prof. Bhirasri’s vision, the MOCA wants to protect and maintain Thai art and culture in order to preseve the esscence of Thainess for future generations. In this way, the art collections should reflect the basis of Thai culture. An artful sculpture of Ganesha (Phra Pikanet) a Hindu God in Thai culture*

Hence, the museum’s mission is to give and foreigners the opportunity to admire and appreciate Thai art and artists. In particular, Thai people of the younger generation should be strengthened in their love for the uniqueness of Thai culture. Thus, they can learn a lot about the artists’ inspirations and methods of creation in the museum. These sculptures remind me of Thai court dolls, strengthening Thai people’s love for Thai culture at the MOCA*

The MOCA has five sections displayed on five different floors. Hence, the 1st floor has two halls in which the works of Prof. Chalood Nimsamer and Paitun Muangsomboon are displayed respectively. Both are National Artists of Sculpture. Unusual sculptures and works of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok*

On the 2nd floor you find contemporary art of different themes and concepts such as social knowledge and Buddhism while on the 3rd floor there are creations displaying imagination in Thai contemporay art. For instance, there are works of the famous Thai National Artist Chakrabhand Posayakrit. Displaying social knowledge and Buddhism in art, exhibition at MOCA*

The 4th floor harbours works of one of my favourite Thai artists – Thawan Duchanee. He is also a famous and remarkable National Artist in Thailand and is considered a modern Buddhist artist. What is more, the highlights on this floor are three gigantic contemporary paintings called “The Three Kingdoms-Heaven, Middle Earth, and Hell” created by the artists Sompop Budtarad, Panya Wijinthanasan and Prateep Kochbua. The works of Thawan Duchanee. modern Buddhist artist* The Three Kingdoms-Heaven, Middle Earth, and Hell at the MOCA*

Last but not least, the th5 floor is about international contemporary art and there are also paintings from the 19th century Romantic period of Queen Victoria. International and Thai art at the MOCA attracts many foreign visitors*

Finally, we may say that the MOCA – Museum of Contemporay Art in Bangkok is a remarkable place created to preserve the display the essence of Thainess, Thai culture and art. Fore more information, I recommend you check outthe museum’s website.

Yours, Sirinya

*all photos in this post, credit: Siwaphong Pakdeetawan, Instagram@knack66

‘Palmy’ Eve Pancharoen: Thai- Belgian Singer

Palmy is the artist name of the Thai-Belgian pop singer Eve Pancharoen, born in 1981. I first heard of Palmy when I was in Thailand two years ago. That was when my cousin gave me a DVD of a Thai singer Palmy concert. It was the concert called “Ka Ka Ka” from 2012. I was really impressed by Palmy’s show because she is so versatile and she reminded me of 1960s singer-songwriter legend Carol King.

Singer Palmy, Eve Pancharoen*

On the one side, Palmy is very funny, cute and also very 60s and flower-power-like but on the other side she can also be melancholic, dark and rocking. I find that it’s this mixture that makes her performances so unique and multifaceted.

Thai Singer Palmy

Palmy (Thai: ปาล์ม​มี่​) started her career with the self- titled solo debut album ‘Palmy’ in 2001. A year before, she signed the contract with GMM Grammy. Her first hit was called ‘Yak Rong Dang Dang’.

Since then she has released some more albums and concert DVDs. In fact, we may say that she has explored a variety of popular music styles on each of her solo albums. In addition, she has collaborated with the Thai reggae band T-Bone in order to create experimental versions of her greatest and most popular songs. There are some examples of her experimental music, hence for instance the Flower Power Concert and The Acoustic Album.

Palmy still performs live with T-Bone and she is also frequently a guest vocalist at music festivals (e.g. the Big Mountain Music Festival) and other concerts. For instance, Palmy also performed with Thai ‘Royal Rocker’ Hugo and featured his popular song ‘Disappear‘ in one of her concerts. Even though she has also performed in and the UK, she is more popular in Asian countries, particularly in Thailand.

Thai singer Palmy*

In fact, Palmy has featured numerous great songs with other internationally acclaimed musicians like theThai singer Singto Numchok and the Norwegian artist Erlend Øye. Hence, she not only sings in Thai but also in English like for instance in this charming song ‘Crush’ featuring the latter artist.

I’d like to show you how versatile Palmy’s music is. Here is a very rocking, well, even 60s Rock ‘n Roll like song called ‘Shy Boy’ from her 4th album.

Or a more melancholic side of her, here is the song “Stay”. What is more, she also sang ‘I want to stop the time’ for the popular Thai ghost movie ‘Phi Mak Phra Khanong’.

In a nutshell, we might be justified in saying that Palmy is very true to herself when making music. She loves to combine different music styles in order to make them her own. In an interview with Monruedee Jansuttipan from ‘The Insider’s Guide to Bangkok’, she said that it’s the most important thing to “do your job with a conscientious attitude. If you do well, no matter what others say, you can be proud of yourself”.

Eve Pancharoen, Thai-Belgian singer*

Well, this can be considered Thai singer Palmy’s motto and that is in fact what she has done with her music In addition, she can be regarded as a very famous Thai celebrity of mixed origin. In short, Palmy rocks

Yours, Sirinya

*photo credit: Palmy, FB page

Thai ‘Royal Rocker’ Hugo Chakrabongse Levy

Last time I was in Thailand, I went to the house of my grand cousin and that was the first time I saw a music video of the Thai singer and songwriter Hugo Chakrabongse Levy who is an internationally acclaimed musician. The wife of my grand cousin asked my if I knew Hugo and she told me that he is related to the Thai royal family. Hence, I became curious to know more about this artist because he is part-Thai and proficient in both English and Thai. Thus, he sings songs both in English and Thai language as well.

Royal Rocker Hugo* Hugo Chakrabongse Levy’s Story

Hugo Chakrabongse Levy, born 1981 in England, is the great great grandson of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn). Hugo was raised in Thailand and his Thai name is Chulachak Chakrabongse. His artist name is the mononym ‘Hugo’.

Hugo Chakrabongse Levy*

In fact, Hugo’s mother is M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse, the daughter of Prince Chula Chakrabongse and granddaughter of ‘Katya – The Russian Princess of Siam’. Hugo’s father is the British-Jewish songwriter Allen Levy. When Hugo’s parents divorced, he moved with his mother to Thailand. In his adolescence, he became a singer in different bands and also worked as an actor in various Thai soap operas. As a matter of fact, Hugo’s music was not very popular in Thailand at first when he started his career with the band Siplor in 2001. However, he was recognized in the USA and became famous. Today, the CNN even calls him the ‘royal rocker of Thailand’!

Making independent music at first in Thailand, Hugo later turned more to mainstream music, claiming “take The Doors, The Beatles or even our very own Carabao. They are all popular mainstream bands and no one would ever doubt their credibility. That’s what I want to do.”(Hugo quoted from CNN)

Hugo became particularly recognized when his song ‘Disappear’ was featured on Beyoncé’s album “I Am…Sasha Fierce”. Hugo also featured the song ‘Disappear’ beautifully with Thai-Belgian singer Palmy. Hence, Jay-Z signed Hugo to his labelRoc Nation. Thus, Hugo became very popular with his cover of Jay-Z song “99 Problems”. It was Hugo’s first single and it became a great blues song because it was additionally featured in the romantic comedy ‘No Strings Attached’ with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. What is more, Hugo has been in some commercials like for instance this one for JASPAL.

In 2013, Hugo had the starring role in Young Bao the Movie which is about the life and times of Thailands most famous Rock band Carabao. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjQsuEoDXh0

Today Hugo lives both in the USA (New York) and in Thailand. In fact, he feels very much attached to Thailand. He says that he wants to come home and enjoy an early retirement with his family and friends in Thailand.

One might be justified in saying that Hugo is not a typical Thai singer. However, do you like his music and do you accept him as a Thai musician? Hugo – example of a distinctively mixed heritage (photo credit: img.kapook.com)

I think Hugo Chakrabongse Levy is kind of special because he is recognized in the Western world and also in Asia. Hence, he is one of the Thai celebrities with mixed origin. In my opinion, this is a great and special achievement He seems to feel home in both worlds.

Yours, Sirinya

*photo credit: Hugo, FB page