Project name: Yudii Kindii Miisuk - An exhibition on Thai health through the years
Funder/Sponsor: Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Year: 2017
Project type: Exhibition; Knowledge Management
Background
Thailand is famous throughout Asia and the world for its focus on traditional medicine, and alternative solutions to Western medicine. In particular, Thailand is known for its emphasis on a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, bringing together different practices, from exercise and massage, to traditional herbs and an inclusion of green spaces for overall health.
In late 2017, the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre organised an exhibition highlighting Thai health through the years.
Yudii Kindii Miisuk
The exhibition was entitled Yudii Kindii Miisuk (อยู่ดี กินดี มีสุข มิติทางสังคมและวัฒนธรรมของสุขภาพ), which literally translates into wellbeing and good food for happiness, and highlights the social and cultural dimensions of health and wellbeing. The exhibition presented a timeline of the evolution of wellbeing in Thailand from the prehistoric period to the present day, told through stories. It encompassed a varied approach to wellbeing, ranging from how Thai people understood the human body, the temperature of food, to the climate, and the different uses of plants for food or for medicine.
Openspace built the structures for the 4-floor exhibition. The structures mixed different elements, like wood, lights and coloured threads, and were built to highlight the diversity presented in the exhibition. For example, some hung panels were text heavy, while others allowed the visitors to interact with the exhibition—like the exercise cubes, simply view some exhibits—like the glass display cases, and even take home certain components like bags of organic seeds from different from different Thai plants. There was a mix of both old and new display objects.
The exhibition took place at the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre and stayed up for three months.
