Bangkok--24 Nov--Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
H.E. Mr. Jesus Miguel Sanz, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Thailand, presided over the "BUKRUK II 2016 Urban Arts Festival" press conference, organised by BUKRUK Festival Group with the support of Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, at the hotel's Shangri-La Ballroom recently. Participants joining the press conference included Mr. Johan Chan, hotel's Director of Sales and Marketing; Ms. Rashana Pimolsindh, hotel's Director of Communications; H.E. Mr. Pericles Boutos, Ambassador of Greece to Thailand; Mr. Benoit Etienne, Cultural Attache of Embassy of France to Thailand; Ms. Myrtille Tibayrenc, Director of Bukruk Urban Arts Festival; Mr. Stephen Heisler, Cultural Attache of Embassy of Austria to Thailand; and H.E. Ms. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of Spain to Thailand.
The first edition organized in 2013, gathered successfully 30 artists from Thailand and Europe in an explosive festival presenting not only brilliant street art from over 10 countries but also a wide range of activities, events and indoor exhibition. It was and still is today the widest street art festival proposed in Thailand. With more than 400sqm of indoor exhibition space in the BACC, 1000 m2 of exterior wall paintings and street celebrations which attracted hundreds of viewers and participants.
The festival also had very positive respond from the sponsors, who took the risk in supporting this first of a kind event. Thanks to over 30 different cultural, institutional and private sponsors joining forces we could achieve what is now a worldwide-recognized festival.
BUKRUK II Urban arts festival is a 10-day project, which will take place in January 2016, featuring not only public wall paintings, but also art exhibitions, artist talks, animation night and three stages music open-air festival, visual happenings, mapping projections and workshops.
All exhibitions, walls and activities will be set in the riverside, Bang Rak/Klong San. We hope the public artworks will help breathe new life into Bangkok and attract international attention to one of its richest and nevertheless neglected historic center. By creating this open-air museum, we will design a map connecting not only the painted walls but also the historical buildings and art spaces scattered in the area. By working with the local communities, Talad Noi association and the River creative district project we hope this edition of Bukruk can help elevate the awareness towards the importance of art and creativity within a given neighborhood and community.