IN CELEBRATION OF THE RISING OF BANGKOK’S TALLEST SKYSCRAPER, THE NIGHT OF LIGHTS BY DUCKUNIT TURNED ON AND GAVE LIFE TO THIS CARVED METROPOLITAN GIANT NAMED ‘MAHANAKHON’
In the eyes of those whose commute past Chongnonsi BTS station almost every day, many must have questions in their minds as to the unusual looking skyscraper that is now officially Thailand’s tallest building known by the name MahaNakhon. One of those questions that frequently gets asked is whether or not the construction of the building has been completed. With the 5-year construction period the building underwent and the ‘pixelated’ form of the design, it is understandable that many feel this piece of architecture remains incomplete. But, following the grand opening that came with a spectacular light show attracting overwhelming interest and excitement from Bangkokians in late August, we believe that the question of the completion of the building has finally been answered.
The Mahanakhon Building Night of Lights by DuckUnit, Photo by Ketsiree Wongwan
“After the grand opening, people stopped asking whether the construction was finished. It’s like the light turned on some sort of perception and it has become understood now that this seemingly unfinished design is actually complete,” Ruengrit Santisuk of DuckUnit who was responsible for the design and direction of the show on the opening day said of the success of the project. The given brief was to do anything to make this new skyscraper stand out from the Bangkok skyline through the use of light to create stories and give it life. The first thing DuckUnit thought of was to project a light from the tallest point in Bangkok to a place where no light has ever been. And despite the idea sounding like a plan desitned only for our imaginations, the hard work of everyone involved was able to make it happen and, even while lasting for only four minutes, the show captivated spectators viewing the site from almost every direction.
The Mahanakhon Building Night of Lights by DuckUnit, Image courtesy of DuckUnit
The Mahanakhon Building Night of Lights by DuckUnit, Image courtesy of DuckUnit
The rhythm of the first part of the show let the audience know that the building was coming to life as it released a beam from every light bulb installed at designated spots. The collective force of light was projected as high as it could go and each scene emphasized and exhibited the majestic presence of the architecture. And even though the spectacularly lit building looks calmer these days, what was shown that day was a declaration of its existence and identity in the city of Bangkok (although, for the majority of the people in this city or country, access to the functionalities of the building remain only what one dreams of). The one thing the designer sees surpassing the success of the show, however, is a significant step being taken in the role and recognized importance of lighting design in Thailand and a more relevant conversation taking place with the public about the special contribution that ‘light’ can offer architecture, or anything its physical presence is able to touch.
The Mahanakhon Building Night of Lights by DuckUnit, Photo by Ketsiree Wongwan
TEXT: PAPHOP KERDSUP
www.duckunit.tv
www.mahanakhon.com