BALANCING THE FUTURE

       Bangkok will once again play host to a unique art and design showcase when the "Bangkok Design Festival 2009" raises its curtains next week.The third edition to be held, this year's festival involves innovation, creativity and sustainability under the idea of "Balancing the Future."
       The 14-day event, from October 8-21,will take place at various hot spot venues around the city - Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC), Bangkok Art and Culture Centre,Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery,The Emporium and Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani. There are also exhibitions in public spaces such as Victory Monument.
       On show are stunning works by professional and young designers, both Thai and foreign,special themed projects, interesting activities, top thesis by design students from various universities, a Thainess show, a creative party, an art fair and a mini mart.
       "Bangkok Design Festival 2009 will lead Thailand to the era of a new economy via the tactics of creative work," said Alongkorn Pollabutr,deputy minister of commerce.
       "The event also goes in line with the government's Creative Thailand in-
       tiative, aimed at turning Thailand
       into the hub of creative industry
       in Asean and to enhance the
       economic value of creative
       industry."
       "In the art and design industry, Thai designers
       are second to none in
       terms of their knowledge
       and talent and the Bangkok Design Festival is an excellent platform to unwaveringly drive Thailand's design industry to the international level,"said Mayuree Chaipromprasith, marketing promotion senior director of Siam Paragon Development Co."This year, we have highlights at every spot. Among them, the Degree Show, which presents the year's top thesis by students in interior, product, graphic,fashion and jewellery design as well as animation," said Prathan Theerathada,director of the Bangkok Design Festival.
       "Another fascinating exhibition is the showcase of more than 70 pieces of work from seven different fields creatively displayed in five Design Containers among balloons," he said."Despite a limited area, larger-than-life quality is guaranteed
       and you can see these ou-
       standing pieces for yourselves at Parc Par-
       gon, Siam Paragon."
       The programme also includes "Creative City km.0." This year, Change Bangkok Project continues what it began earlier. From last year, the selected photographs of places in Bangkok that need change the most is the Victory Monument (km 0).
       The designers responsible for the change are Maria Stukoff, an artist from the United Kingdom, and Apostrophy's from Thailand.
       In the heart of the city at Siam Paragon is "DEmark", a selection of good design works by Thai entrepreneurs and designers in a contest of DEmark 2009 Award (Design Excellence Award) organised by the Office of Product Value Development, Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. This is a golden opportunity for art enthusiasts to admire these creations at the Hall of Mirror, M floor.
       At Siam Centre's Atrium 2 on the first floor is the "Shoes' Cream by Gold City",an exhibition of shoes designed by students from Silpakorn University, King Mongkut Institute of Technology Lad Krabang and Srinakarinviroj University.
       Causing quite a stir and fun among Thai graphic designers is the project,"I am a Thai Graphic Designer" by Practical Studio. The project, set to take place in the Grand Hall of SiamDiscovery, showcases more than 1,000 works by graphic designers from across the country.
       Each work is presented using photographs of each designer holding a plate with his/her own design of the phrase "I am a Thai Graphic Designer." Related activities in this area include a graphic design workshop for high school stu-dents, and seminar on the topic "Put the strong faith in Thailand by Thai graphic designers."
       Also on show in the Grand Hall is the "Illustration Poster by Takashi Akiyama"exhibition. Akiyama is a world-renowned Japanese visual communicator and graphic design professor at Tama Art University. Through some 40 posters,Akiyama communicates stories with illustrations that convey profound meanings that are beyond the ability of words or any international languages to communicate.
       On show at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is "Do It Together by Knotting Else" featuring works of 10 leading interior design companies presented in the Tetris puzzles pattern. The exhibition gathers recycled materials under Green Design or environmentally-friendly design concepts from each company.
       BIG+BIH at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani, will probably be the most familiar event as it's been held for many years. This year, the event is held under the theme,"Unique Lifestyle",with a trade fair and exhibitions showcasing updated movements in both local and international product design scenes.
       "Bangkok Design Festival 2009", October 8-21, at various venues around the city. For full activities and exhibition programme,venues and map, please visit www.bangkokdesignfestival.com.
       Work from the "Designers Saturday"showcase (above);and two art pieces from the "Abundant Australia" exhibition (below and right).
       This year's festival features stunning works of art and design by professional and young designers.