The Spirits of Maritime Crossing: Exhibition Held in Venice

The Exhibition: The Spirits of Maritime Crossing

Spanning a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, mixed media and video installations and featuring fifteen artists from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, The Spirits of Maritime Crossing addresses complex realities, diverse cultures and histories of the region, contrasting them with Western narratives in Venice.

The Spirits of Maritime Crossing is a journey from Southeast Asia to Venice through cultural and diasporic experiences — viewed through the eyes of those away from their homeland, both physically and spiritually. Southeast Asian artists share many similarities, while also differing in terms of their ethnicities, religions, and languages, which can sometimes create a sense of foreignness among them. The legacy of these nations is evident in the so-called ‘cultural hybrids’ — refugees, immigrants, and stateless people.

Exhibition Venue: The Spirits of Maritime Crossing at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana, Venice, Italy

Highlights of the Exhibition: The Spirits of Maritime Crossing

Highlights include a film directed by Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, featuring the acclaimed performance artist Marina Abramović and Thai dance artist and choreographer Pichet Klunchun; films such as Calling for Rain by Khvay Samnang; Hunting & Dancing: 15 years by Moe Satt; There’s no Place by Jakkai Siributr; The Sea is a Blue Memory by Priyageetha Dia and many more works across a range of mediums.

Work by Marina Abramović and Pichet Klunchun

The exhibition showcases the works of 15 talented emerging artists

The Spirits of Maritime Crossing presents a diverse group of artists from Asia, ranging from established figures to emerging talents. The 15 artists include: Marina Abramović (b.1946, Serbia/USA) and Pichet Klunchun (b.1971, Thailand), Priyageetha Dia (b.1992, Singapore), Chitti Kasemkitvatana (b.1969, Thailand) and Nakrob Moonmanas (b.1990, Thailand), Khvay Samnang (b.1982, Cambodia), Jompet Kuswidananto (b.1976, Indonesia), Bounpaul Phothyzan (b. 1979, Laos PDR), Alwin Reamillo (1964-2023, The Philippines), Moe Satt (b.1983, Myanmar), Jakkai Siributr (b.1969, Thailand), Truong Cong Tung (b.1986, Vietnam), Natee Utarit (b.1970, Thailand), Kawita Vatanajyankur (b.1987, Thailand), and Yee I-Lann (b.1971, Malaysia).