This year, the Thailand Biennale will be held in Chiang Rai, a province situated at the northernmost part of the country, under the theme “The Open World”. Artistic directors Rirkrit Tiravanija and Gridthiya Gaweewong, with curators Angkrit Ajchariyasophon and Manuporn Luengaram, will collaborate in exhibiting works from Thai and international artists from the Mekong region to the Amazon and beyond. The works address topical issues such as history, cultural diversity, and nature and ecology, and will be displayed across key venues in Chiang Rai such as art galleries, exhibition halls, museums, temples, and historic sites.

The biennale emphasizes learning from the past to guide us into the future, focusing on the historical context of Chiang Saen to the vibrant present of Chiang Rai. The exhibition explores micro-histories to capture the narratives of ordinary individuals within the context of Chiang Rai and serves as a launchpad to initiate dialogues through translocalism.

Additionally, it challenges the belief systems resulting from the pre-historical state era to the present day. These narratives range from the worship of local spirits, legends and folk tales to the region’s geopolitical landscape defined by the Anthropocene.

The exhibition is on view from December 9, 2023 – April 30, 2024.

thailandbiennale.org