Art highlights around Bangkok this January

New year, new art exhibitions and cultural events to check out. From free musical performances in the park to an exhibition spotlighting the cheeky bird Warbie Yama, there’s something for everyone. Here, we hand-pick some of the best that you can catch till the end of January.  

Catch an evening breeze with music in the park

Dates: Until Jan 29, 2023

Music aficionados: the Colorful Bangkok campaign is still happening until the end of the month. The theme is music, so expect to find a load of music festivals all across Bangkok, every weekend from 5pm onwards. Line-ups are an eclectic mix of local indie groups, jazz quartets, university musical bands, symphony orchestras and even pop singer Nam Ronadech. If you’re up for a lovely evening of music in the garden, look out for festivals at Museum Siam, as well as nine other Bangkok parks: Rama VIII Park, Seri Thai Garden, Rot Fai Park, Rommaninat Park, Benchasiri Park, Queen Sirikit’s 60th Anniversary Park, Santichai Prakan Park, H.M. King IX Park and King IX’s 80th Anniversary Park.  

Enter the roly-poly world of Warbie Yama

Dates: Until Jan 25, 2023

Chances are a friend has sent you a sticker of the massively popular mischievous yellow bird, Warbie Yama, on Line before. The fanbase of Warbie Yama is global, but its creator is actually a Thai animator. Arut Tantasirin has an Emmy award nomination to his name and is also behind the successful exhibition, “From Monet to Kandinsky, Van Gogh: Life and Arts and The Impressionists”, which was hosted at River City Bangkok. His roly-poly creation is finally getting its own show at the same venue, where audiences can discover colorful comics and heartwarming stories across nine different zones. Grab your tickets at Ticketmelon.

Enter a magical village at LUNA: The Immersive Musical Experience

Dates: Until Jan 27, 2023

Ever seen a musical where you can actually talk to the performers and move across scenes by walking from room to room? This is the last chance to catch the immersive musical show Luna, based on Kelly Barnhill’s children’s book The Girl Who Drank The Moon. This 2017 Newbury Medal winner follows the story of a girl called Luna who is raised by a witch. After accidentally receiving magical powers, Luna must figure out how to control them. Hosted by castscape and EmQuartier, the show gives you the chance to go on a unique adventure, choosing whether to start at the village or forest entrance. Kids are sure to love the music and cutting-edge lighting design. Tickets are available at Ticketmelon.

Soothe the senses with flowers

Dates: Until Jan 30, 2023

Who doesn’t love flowers? Whether real or painted, flowers just seem to add a spot of cheer to anyone’s day. In this “Hana” exhibition at Nova Contemporary, four Japanese artists offer their own take on botanical imagery. In Japanese culture, floral motifs speak their very own language of hanakotaba — where they represent a variety of emotions or messages, spanning from innocence and exhilaration to grief. The white-washed and spacious gallery comes into bloom with delightful paintings that burst with sentiment and symbolism.

Get in the mood for Hong Kong aesthetics

Dates: Until Jan 29, 2023

Bask in the red neon glow that is synonymous with Hong Kong’s visual aesthetic. If you love film director Wong Kar-wai’s moody and broody cinematic masterpieces such as In The Mood For Love, you’ll be able to take in favorite moments and scenes at a sumptuous photography exhibition at HOP Photo Gallery by renowned Hong Kong artist Wing Shya. The show features stunning shots of couples in moments of intimacy, including his behind-the-scenes photography on Wong Kar-wai’s movie sets. Fans of Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, take note.

For more art events, visit Bangkok Art City.

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