Concept developed under PHKA Studio
Thailand Biennale Korat 2021
Kurusammanakarn, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima.

Abstract from Thailand Biennale curators

Fragments of Time is a floral site-specific installation by PHKA Studio, a floral designer based in Bangkok, Thailand. The studio is known for their public displays that use flowers and plants as a tool for storytelling. Their practice also involves an investigation of the site’s history. For Thailand Biennale, PHKA revisited the urban and industrial past of Korat city during the Cold War period, studying its rapid technological advancement during that time. They created a garland installation at Kurusammanakarn in Rajamangala, University of Technology Isan. This outdoor seminar hall is one of the earliest pillarless buildings in the country that could be seen as a symbol of modernity in Korat. Using traditional garland designs and colour schemes PHKA developed their modern garland design from local materials.

The floral arrangement is based on a metal structure and includes a zinc plate onto which a map of the city is stencilled. The installation could be seen as a tribute to modern history and as a prayer to the future of the city. Looking into the sky, one could see Korat’s bright future.

Background

Over a decade during Indochina War. We saw Korat occu- pied and heavily influenced by US, Korat,
once an ancient stronghold, became a modern city after railroads connected with Bangkok and US bases settled. These totally altered what the preceding community.

Urbanised with new facilities and infrastructures, opportunities rose as business bloomed to support an influx
of both foreign and domestic immigrants. However, without any long term strategic planning for Korat, the province itself
was more like a property leased out or became a de facto colonised area of Thailand. Natural features and resources were
utilised in the wake of increased population. Not long after US troops left, we saw Korat in an almost freezing state since.
The excitement was over. Architectural remnants remains across the cityscape with unregulated development
were implemented in later

Malai

All the components in malai string, comprising of local flowers found in the Korat market, have been selected with different deterioration rates, from the weak champaka to the longlasting globe amaranth. Changes to the condition can be expected during the 3 months exhibition period. Added to the floral selection are two gimmicks, folded banana leaf and light blue sheer fabric. The first is a resting element used in malai threading while the latter represents PVC tube, another common materials seen in Thai flower market.

PHKA TEAM
Tul Chompaisal, Vissata Duangwongsri, Siraphatsorn Chumnongwongse, Nattakarn Tanataweetum, Thienchai Kraising, Nattamon Tepwatcharakarun, Ploynapas Rojrujaporn, Likhit Jiwvisesna

Structure engineered by Watcharis Chavalitkul, Korakot Loudsirimongkol
Photography by Napat Pattrayanond