In Progress is Progress, As part of Bangkok Design Week 2023
Lou Hieb Seng

Abstract

In the heart of Thai old town, amidst renowned landmarks like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, Tha Tien was often mentioned as a good spot to add to the travel route. Not only a pier as a boat docking point, Tha Tien is also an area with a variety of shops, including cafes and award-winning restaurants. Thai massage shops, etc. Yet, beyond the facade of attractions lies a community teeming with stories, Natives and locally owned stores are fading away.

Experiencing Tha Tien reveals more than just a picturesque scene. It lays bare the silent struggles of those
who call this place home. A community that, throughout its existence, has grappled with a sense of displacement, tethered to a land dominated by temples and palaces. This expropriate issue will not only remove the soul of Tha Tien but also dismantle all our memories through local interactions.

Time-based Installation

With Tha Tien undergoing a transformation, This installation focuses on State authority between
the Tha Tien market community, the ways specific sites are situated and depicted in memory and discourse.
As seen in The Tien dock and other communal spaces, the Postcard shelf was used to convey an array of The Tien history, and visual timelines, unfolding the hidden history and untold stories of Tha Tien, a community obscured by the shadows of the authorised facade. The audience will receive a sheet of paper to contribute their personal narratives. As each individual finishes their writing, the papers find their place on the shelves, returning to the very locations where the postcards were exchanged, resurrecting the memory of the past.

This time-based installation circulates Tha Tien timeline postcards and unique histories. Collecting an irreplaceable history and collective memory as evidence of The Tien market ruins. Perhaps, shared memories might evoke a sense of loss which led to further oral history.

2023, Thailand, Installation. Time-based; Variable.
Image courtesy of Lou Hieb Seng, Urban Creature

Research assisted by Thapong Srisai