Project name: Buffalo Field
Funder/Sponsor: Self-funded
Year: 2018
Project type: Workshop; Art; Performance
Background
Openspace and the E-Lerng artists group in the Wat Care Nang Lerng community have a long standing tradition of collaborating on cultural projects. Following last year’s successful Embodied Movement event which you can read about on our site and our blog, we organised the Buffalo Field event: a series of workshops and performances by 12 international artists from around the world.
Buffalo Field Event
Nang Lerng is located in the Old Town of Bangkok. In the past, it was called Sanam Kwai, which translates to field of buffalos; back in the day, the entire area was covered by rice fields populated by buffalos. Nang Lerng is a great example of an old town community, with a history of over 100 years. The area is rich with people’s stories on everything from food to dance, from socialising traditions to architecture. The Nang Lerng market is a key feature of the community, as it also showcases the diversity of the area. Presently, as Bangkok is transformed by new rules and regulations, Nang Lerng is an example of how these old community are changing to fit in this “new” city.
The Buffalo Field event is a nod to the Nang Lerng’s past; it is also a chance to awaken people’s spirit and the spirit of the place. Bangkok is changing rapidly; the sense of communities and people is being lost.
We launched this event hoping it would be a new ground for both the community and outsiders to appreciate the intrinsic value places like this; we want this event to be the key to encourage a new mechanism to support the interactions of people and places.
The event was organised by Openspace, the E-Lerng artists group and Mike Hornblow, an artist, academic and community art activist from New Zealand and Australia. He was joined by 11 other artists: Alan Schacher (Australia), Kiki Ando (Japan), Takashi Takiguchi (Japan), AñA Wojak (Australia), Cloudbeard (Australia), Agung Gunawan (Indonesia), Agus Riyanto (Indonesia), Kathleen Gonzalez (Colombia), Tony Yap (Malaysia/Australia), Brendan O’Connor (Ireland), and WeiZen Ho (Malaysia/Australia).
Mike Hornblow led a workshop on embodied movement on the 25th November 2018; Agung Gunawan led a workshop on embodied perception on the 30th November 2018, followed by a performance around Wat Care Nang Lerng temple. On the 1st December, the artists did a building take over at the abandoned clinic, a contested space in the community. For one hour, the artists led their public through different floors to experience various performances. The event was concluded with a performance that same night in front of the abandoned cinema, a building with a century-old history at the heart of the community. The cinema turned 100 in 2018; sadly, in December 2018 and with little notice to the community, some parts of the beautiful building were demolished and signed to be renovated. As of March 2019, the community has not been informed of an exact plan for the renovation or its timeline.
Looking to the future
Buffalo Field marks the second year of this arts festival in Nang Lerng. The festival grows year on year, with more artists participating. As organisers, we intend for this to be a yearly event, funded by local and international sponsors. Openspace, E-Lerng and the artists collective are currently looking for funders for the 2019 instalment of the festival. If you are interested in donating, participating or collaborating with us, please get in touch with Khun Ploy Kasama Yamtree at pyamtree@gmail.com or 086-9839823.
