EVERY CITY SHOULD HAVE ONE – A GO-TO NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE ITS COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, MAKERS AND ENTHUSIASTS OF THE CREATIVE DISCIPLINES CAN GATHER TO SUPPORT, EXHIBIT AND CELEBRATE WHAT THEY DO BEST. IN BANGKOK, THE RIVERSIDE DISTRICT ALONG CHAROEN KRUNG ROAD HAS RECENTLY BEEN DUBBED SUCH, AND ART GALLERIES AND CREATIVE SPACES ARE POPPING UP WITHIN THE NEWLY DEEMED ‘CREATIVE DISTRICT’ IN A SEEMINGLY EXPONENTIAL FASHION.
art4D STOPPED BY A VARIETY OF THE VENUES THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO DEEM THE ROAD ALONG THE RIVER HOME – CALLING UPON THE CITIES OLDEST PAVED THOROUGHFARE TO PROVE ITS POTENTIAL TO PAVE THE WAY FOR SOMETHING NEW…
SPEEDY GRANDMA
Unchalee ‘Lee’ Anantawat
Known for its youthful spirit and alternative nature, independent art space Speedy Grandma founded in 2012 by Lee Anantawat and Thomas Menard focuses on supporting experimental ideas and communicating the transformative, and often crazy, power of art.
Unchalee ‘Lee’ Anantawat. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
BRIDGE CAFÉ & ART SPACE
Dan Burman, Bongkoch Chansri, Thamrat Panpumchuen
Encompassing a renovated shophouse well loved for its rooftop parties and view of the neighborhood, Bridge Café & Art Space is a gallery and café hosting exhibitions and performances. Managed by Bongkoch Chansri, Thamrat Panpumchuen and Dan Burman, the space aims to bridge the gap between local and international artists.
Dan Burman, Bongkoch Chansri and Thamrat Panpumchuen. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
SOY SAUCE FACTORY
Thomas Menard
At Soy Sauce Factory, the name is all that remains to reference the building’s previous function, as the renovated art space, restaurant and bar owned and managed by Thomas Menard brings new purpose and clientele with a penchant for the city’s creativity to the neighborhood.
Thomas Menard. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
NACC
Jeff Gompertz and François Langello
An artist run exhibition and project space, NACC is, as described by managing artists Jeff Goempertz and Francois Langello, not a gallery, café or even a bar, but rather a shophouse venue focused on supporting media, photography, installation and performance works as well as guest curatorial projects.
Jeff Gompertz and Francois Langello. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
CHO WHY
David Fernández
Easy to miss when passing by due to its unadorned nature and true-to-the- neighborhood character, Cho Why is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary project space utilized for events, exhibitions, installations and workshops that one might not easily find elsewhere.
David Fernandez. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
23 BAR&GALLERY
Mongkol ‘Go’ Sanla
Leaving the awkward nature of your standard white cube far behind, 23 bar & gallery hosts regular exhibitions within its two-storey shophouse venue owned and managed by Mongkol (Go) Sanla that succeed in bringing art to the neighborhood in a manner that can be easily accessed by one and all.
Mongkol ‘Go’ Sanla. Portrait by Ketsiree Wongwan
92 Soi Nana, Charoenkrung Rd. T 080 264 4471
Interviews with the founders of each of the above art spaces are featured in art4d 235, the ART SPACE special issue. Download the full digital version via the art4d application or contact art4d to subscribe to the print edition.