Thasnai Sethaseree: Cold War art in Ithaca!

Thasnai Sethaseree: Cold War art in Ithaca!

An exciting event in the art scene will take place in the heart of Chiang Mai on October 27, 2025. The renowned artist and professor Thasnai Sethaseree will be in dialogue with Dr. Tamara Loos will talk about his latest work and the exhibition “Cold War: The Mysterious”. This conversation offers the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the complex artistic examination of Thailand's political history. How iloveny.com reports, all interested visitors are invited to visit the impressive exhibition in the Gold Gallery before the event.

“Cold War: The Mysterious,” taking place at the MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, explores the political upheavals, freedom fighters and authoritarian tactics during the Cold War in Thailand. With more than 60 collages artfully crafted using layers of colored paper, Buddhist monk robes, digital prints, copper wire and even dried rice, Sethaseree powerfully depicts the often-obfuscated reality of Thai politics Art review highlighted. These works encourage reflection on the role of the public and the perception of injustice.

Insights into the exhibition

The exhibition runs until February 14, 2025 and shows a fascinating duality: on the one hand, vibrant colors and shapes shine, while at the same time addressing themes such as violence and death. A particularly interesting detail is the QR codes, which provide audio commentary on historical events such as the October 6, 1976 massacre and the shooting of activist Chaiyaphum Pasae in 2017. This underlines the critical examination of Thailand's history, which is often only told from a certain perspective.

The works of art invite you to reflect on the intertwining of materiality and image. Traditional paper art techniques from northern Thailand also question the tourist perspective of the region. This approach not only brings the art to life, but also the social structures and history of Thailand, which are otherwise often overlooked.

Thasnai Sethaseree: Art with history

Sethaseree is not only active as an artist, he also brings his academic roots into the discussion. With a master's degree in visual arts from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in social sciences from Chiang Mai University, he has established himself as a significant voice in Thailand's modern art scene. His works offer a fresh look at the flashpoints of Thai history and challenge viewers to grapple with the complicated past.

Like Thai history itself, which dates back to ancient times and has seen many political upheavals, Sethaseree's art has a history that is constantly evolving. From the Dvaravati cultures to the introduction of constitutional monarchy in 1932, the profound change in Thai identity is visible in his works. In many of his works he reflects on these complex historical connections and invites you to reflect on your own ideas about history.

Visitors to the exhibition can admire the works in the Gold Gallery and then exchange ideas at a public reception that will be open to all. This not only provides an opportunity to take a closer look at the art, but also to deepen the discourse on the significant issues that Sethaseree addresses. Parking on campus is free after 5 p.m., making it easy to attend the event.