Farewell weekend to Louise Bourgeois's spider sculpture
Since it arrived at Khao Yai Art Forest in February, Maman, the monumental spider by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, has ensnared visitors from far and wide (pun intended). Conceived for Tate Modern in 1999, the artwork is one of seven editions in the world and made its first Southeast Asian debut in 25 years at Khao Yai Art Forest. Other editions are housed the Tate Modern (UK), Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain), Mori Art Museum (Japan) and the National Gallery of Canada.
(Photos: Andrea Rossetti)
A symbol of nurture and protection, Maman (French for mother) evokes the tender strength of motherhood — like a spider mum patiently weaves a web for her young. The symbolism gets even more pronounced as the installation is nestled within Khao Yai's mountainous landscape and lush vegetation.
The two-day adieu event features immersive art, communal workshops, and performances set against the serene embrace of Khao Yai. Besides the last chance of taking snapshots with the spider sculpture before its return to New York City's Easton Foundation, the other highlights are:
Wander through the forest trails and explore internationally acclaimed installations, including Fujiko Nakaya's Khao Yai Fog Forest and Elmgreen & Dragset's K-Bar.
Melancholy of Mandodari is an extraordinary khon performance by Jitti Chompee and the masters from the Fine Arts Department. Staged in a forest, it blends classical Thai mask dance with contemporary choreography to tell the poignant tale of Mandodari from the Ramayana.
Discover the delicate art of eco-printing with natural materials in a hands-on session. Participants will create unique botanical prints, exploring the vibrant hues and intricate patterns of Khao Yai's flora.
On Aug 16, Temp._in_set guides audiences through immersive ambient soundscapes. On Aug 17, Plern Vern ignites the forest with electrifying rhythms, blending traditional Isan folk beats with contemporary music.
Embrace meditative creativity by arranging floral mandalas, a symbolic farewell to Maman and a gesture of respect to the Earth. Try community-sourced dishes and desserts, each is inspired by the culinary heritage of Khao Yai.
You're gonna snap pictures with the spider anyway, so you may as well make it count for a chance to win prizes. Just capture Maman from your favourite angle and post the photo on Instagram with the hashtag #farewelltomaman to join the 'Farewell to Maman' photo contest. The submission deadline is Aug 17. The winner will receive B20,000 while 10 runners-up get B5,000 each. Two honourable mentions each get two tickets to Khao Yai Art Forest with lunch or dinner included. Get your tickets to "Farewell To Maman" at Ticketmelon.
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Bangkok Post
11 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Farewell weekend to Louise Bourgeois's spider sculpture
Khao Yai Art Forest will host 'Farewell To Maman', a special weekend celebrating the final days of Louise Bourgeois's world-renowned sculpture in Thailand. Since it arrived at Khao Yai Art Forest in February, Maman, the monumental spider by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, has ensnared visitors from far and wide (pun intended). Conceived for Tate Modern in 1999, the artwork is one of seven editions in the world and made its first Southeast Asian debut in 25 years at Khao Yai Art Forest. Other editions are housed the Tate Modern (UK), Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain), Mori Art Museum (Japan) and the National Gallery of Canada. (Photos: Andrea Rossetti) A symbol of nurture and protection, Maman (French for mother) evokes the tender strength of motherhood — like a spider mum patiently weaves a web for her young. The symbolism gets even more pronounced as the installation is nestled within Khao Yai's mountainous landscape and lush vegetation. The two-day adieu event features immersive art, communal workshops, and performances set against the serene embrace of Khao Yai. Besides the last chance of taking snapshots with the spider sculpture before its return to New York City's Easton Foundation, the other highlights are: Wander through the forest trails and explore internationally acclaimed installations, including Fujiko Nakaya's Khao Yai Fog Forest and Elmgreen & Dragset's K-Bar. Melancholy of Mandodari is an extraordinary khon performance by Jitti Chompee and the masters from the Fine Arts Department. Staged in a forest, it blends classical Thai mask dance with contemporary choreography to tell the poignant tale of Mandodari from the Ramayana. Discover the delicate art of eco-printing with natural materials in a hands-on session. Participants will create unique botanical prints, exploring the vibrant hues and intricate patterns of Khao Yai's flora. On Aug 16, Temp._in_set guides audiences through immersive ambient soundscapes. On Aug 17, Plern Vern ignites the forest with electrifying rhythms, blending traditional Isan folk beats with contemporary music. Embrace meditative creativity by arranging floral mandalas, a symbolic farewell to Maman and a gesture of respect to the Earth. Try community-sourced dishes and desserts, each is inspired by the culinary heritage of Khao Yai. You're gonna snap pictures with the spider anyway, so you may as well make it count for a chance to win prizes. Just capture Maman from your favourite angle and post the photo on Instagram with the hashtag #farewelltomaman to join the 'Farewell to Maman' photo contest. The submission deadline is Aug 17. The winner will receive B20,000 while 10 runners-up get B5,000 each. Two honourable mentions each get two tickets to Khao Yai Art Forest with lunch or dinner included. Get your tickets to "Farewell To Maman" at Ticketmelon.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Guru's Weekly Buzz: Aug 1-7
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Chef Sanders' collaborative menu is titled "Expressions", with each dish crafted to evoke distinct emotions: playfulness, intrigue and satisfaction. The three-course menu is available for lunch and dinner, with an optional wine pairing curated by Alison Christ. Reunion dinner / Mia / Aug 14 "Friends Of Mia" returns on Aug 14 with the "Next Gen Reunion Dinner". For one night only, chef Rahul Shrestha, head chef of Row On 45, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant by Jason Atherton in Dubai will join chefs Pongcharn "Top" Russell and Michelle Goh in the Mia kitchen. The trio will present an eight-course tasting menu, highlighting the bold creativity and precision of the next generation of culinary talent. Expect dishes like Australian Wagyu tartare and Stuffed pigeon with black pudding, paired with exquisite wines curated by The Wine Merchant. Planet Pinto / Robinhood / Until Aug 15 Robinhood has launched 'Robinhood Return', a reusable pinto delivery campaign in collaboration with five of Bangkok's most eco-conscious restaurants, until Aug 15. The campaign is built on "Order – Deliver – Return". Meals are delivered in reusable Thai pinto containers and customers can schedule a convenient pickup through the Robinhood app. The containers are collected by a Robinhood rider, eliminating the need for disposable packaging and promoting a circular dining system. Restaurants in the campaign are Err, Appia, Vivin Asok, Chita Yutaka Tei and Little Sunshine Café. Virgin Active Thailand has launched a campaign that encourages Thais to see Physical Training (PT) as a personalised, supportive tool for everyday wellness. Engage in a complimentary Wellness Discovery session or access a variety of group classes, from grid and reformer pilates to sound bath, dance and more. 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Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Bangkok Post
A fresh era in French gastronomy
It is not really news that the only female chef in the world with the most Michelin-starred restaurants, a total of 10, will be joining Bangkok's culinary scene at Le Normandie, Mandarin Oriental. In an exclusive with the Bangkok Post, chef Anne-Sophie Pic talks about Le Normandie's new chapter, which the restaurant embarks on in September. Celebrated for her bold vision and avant-garde approach to French gastronomy, chef Pic's philosophy is a creative process she calls "Suffusion". "This approach, starting with an aromatic framework, brings together various techniques and preparations that reveal and create a dialogue between the ingredients. I like to think of tasting as a non-linear experience and offer our diners a sequence of flavours that unfold throughout the tasting," she says. "I believe that cuisine is a universal language, a space where cultures meet. Opening a new chapter at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, an iconic institution that embodies elegance and refinement, is an adventure that excites me. I look forward to creating an experience where French gastronomy engages in a dialogue with the vibrant energy of Thai culture. "The restaurant Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie marks our first collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental, born from the trust placed in us by Laurent Kleitman and Mandarin Oriental. I aspire to offer Le Normandie, an emblem of French gastronomy in Bangkok, a true tribute to its history through a unique culinary experience. I was honoured to discover Le Normandie in 1998 while cooking during a gastronomic week and I'm excited to present an experience where French cuisine resonates with the vibrant energy of Thai culture. "Some of my signature dishes, like the Berlingots, will be presented with smoked Camembert, saffron, chamomile and tomato as key elements. Then, there's the lobster dashi with red fruits, a reinterpretation that reflects both French and Asian cuisines." The Berlingots is a dish the chef imagined "as a bridge between my roots, local produce and distant influences that inspire me". The signature dish changes depending on which country her restaurants are based in. The consistent feature is the tetrahedral shape, inspired by Berlingots de Carpentra fruit candies from Vaucluse, Provence, said to have been created by a cook for Pope Clement V in the 14th century. Its name, "Berlingot", is said to be derived from the Pope's given name, Bertrand de Got. The chef de cuisine at Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie will be Tamaki Kobayashi. "She began as an intern at my restaurant Pic in Valence and steadily rose through the ranks to become my head chef at my three-Michelin-star establishment. Tamaki embodies rigour, attention to detail and precision -- qualities essential for leading a team with discipline and harmony. Her talent and passion for gastronomy shine through every dish. Our collaboration, which has lasted nearly 14 years, now takes on full meaning in this new shared challenge," says chef Pic. Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie will offer different options: an à la carte menu, a lunch menu -- with a selection of starters, mains and desserts -- designed for a lighter, more refined experience, and of course, a tasting menu to fully immerse in the essence of the experience. No stranger to Asia, chef Pic first explored the continent at the age of 21. "During my travels in Asia, I had the privilege of discovering Thailand, where I was struck by the complexity of its aromas, the diversity of its ingredients and the generosity of its cuisine. When creating the menu for Le Normandie, I naturally drew inspiration from these powerful memories. Signature ingredients that I like cooking with, such as galangal, kaffir lime and green curry, will flavour my creations, always with a spirit of respect and balance of flavours. "Thai cuisine is distinguished by its intense flavours. It is this dialogue between the richness of French cuisine and Thai influence that I wish to bring to life in every dish. As an example, langoustines are accompanied by a broth crafted from my interpretation of green curry." Her signature lobster dish is inspired by her travels in Japan, where chef Pic spent six months. Her must-do in any new country is visit the local markets and restaurants to deepen her understanding of local dining habits and familiarise herself with the produce available. "Meeting local producers and artisans provides a valuable immersion and allows me to explore new products and textures. It broadens my sensory palette and inspires me greatly. All these discoveries fuel my thinking as I strive to create a cuisine that reflects who I am while paying tribute to Thai culture in all its vibrant and authentic richness. I look forward to rediscovering the markets, producers, ingredients and flavours during my visit, and the opening of the restaurant in September," says chef Pic. Her culinary philosophy is also the name of her latest cookbook, in which the art of perfume-making relates with cooking. "The art of perfumery and the art of gastronomy share the same sensory language. Just as a perfumer composes fragrances, I create my culinary creations around aromatic frameworks. There is a strong element of olfactory memory in my cooking. I often work with infusions, distillation or fermentation to capture the subtlety and complexity of an ingredient, often plant- or flower-based," explains chef Pic. "Early in my career, I became fascinated by perfumery and discovered enfleurage -- a cold infusion technique known for its faithful preservation of flavours. I truly believe in the cross-fertilisation between different fields. My friendship with perfumer Francis Kurkdjian continually inspires me and is a sincere source of mutual enrichment." As one of the world's most lauded female chefs, overseeing five restaurants across four countries [making Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie her sixth], quality control is of the utmost importance. "I regularly visit each of my restaurants. It's essential for me to immerse myself in the daily lives of the teams, maintain a strong connection with them and also to understand local trends, taste and refine my cuisine," says chef Pic. "Travelling the world through its flavours is a real pleasure. It allows me to envision a unique identity for each of my restaurants, one that resonates with its environment. When it comes to creativity, Valence in France, remains the beating heart of our house. All the chefs from my restaurants around the world come there several times a year to the Pic Lab, my creative laboratory. Together, we develop dishes, test, exchange ideas and refine. It is an essential place for research, but also for passing on and sharing the DNA of my cuisine." With a fully reimagined space and an inspired new design, envisioned in partnership with designers Humbert & Poyet, Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie will blend heritage with modernity, preserving the elegance of its past while ushering in a fresh era of contemporary French cuisine.
