When Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) first opened in 2008, I was thrilled that our capital finally had a free-for-all art museum at a prime location like many other cosmopolitan cities. It was definitely good news.
But ever since the gallery opened, I have observed that while millions of people are busy window-shopping around mega-malls in town, the city's art gallery _ built right at a strategic intersection opposite MBK and a stone's throw away from Siam Square _ fails to draw in a good crowd.
Last week, I had a friend visiting from abroad and I decided to take him to BACC. As we approached the building, my friend asked me in a disappointing tone: "What does that artwork mean? Every time I visit Bangkok, it's always there." He pointed at what looks like a giant basket in front of the BACC building.
"I have no idea," I said, and noted to myself that I needed to find out why that piece had been chosen as a permanent work and displayed with such prominent visibility (you can't miss it even if you're just driving past the Pathumwan intersection).
Public art galleries should play the part of a city landmark. In theory, we should take pride in every element of it _ from the outdoor art pieces to the architectural design of the building. But in truth, the BACC looks less attractive than the shopping centre next door, and to me that was quite a disappointment.
Writing for the arts and culture section, I frequently visit BACC when the gallery opens new exhibitions, both from local and international artists. The opening days have always been exciting, but that scene is really different to when I visit the museum at other times. The place, huge in square metres, usually _ and sadly _ has very few people inside.
As I scanned through the gallery, the majority of people in the buildings were staff of cafes and souvenir shops, and students who were not there for the exhibitions, but taking the advantage of the free, air-conditioned space for private tutorial sessions.
For the latter, as far as I observed, they were taking courses with nothing to do with art. It was odd to witness.
What bothered me the most was seeing empty showrooms or spaces. It would be a dream come true for independent artists to have a space in this gallery as this building is in the centre of the city, helping them to promote their work.
For the artworks, even though most of them are "clean" art _ less provocative with not a lot of social satire _ it shows how many skillful and talented artists we have in this country. But as I looked around, sometimes there were less than 10 people in the showroom, and most people were foreigners.
Having seen art exhibitions in many countries, I can say with confidence that our Thai artists really have talent (the scandalous breast-painter not included) that can shine on the global stage. But before achieving such fame, they should be first admired by their own people, since I believe that would be more meaningful to the artists.
I'm a fan of BACC, and my rambling today comes out of love and high hopes that the museum will attract a bigger crowd and receive the attention it deserves. The BACC has constantly introduced new exhibitions, which is admirable, but having a higher number of artworks than it does visitors is not a good sign.
Yanapon Musiket writes on art and entertainment for Life and has a monthly column, Queer Eye, dedicated to gay rights and gender diversity.