SWAMPED: the Art of Waste Installation

‘SWAMPED,’ a new art installation at Warin Lab Contemporary, addresses social issues through art.

By Alisha Pawa

If you’re an art lover and have a keen interest in exploring and learning more about societal issues, head over to Warin Lab Contemporary’s inaugural show entitled “Swamped.” While we’ve all been working towards being more environmental-friendly with our actions, this thought-provoking exhibition is the wake-up call our society needs. It’s important for us to visualise our actions to realise the impact of our carbon footprint. Do you remember the last time you threw plastic in the bin instead of reusing or recycling it? Definitely, something for all of us to ponder.

Warin Lab, a newly opened space by Sukontip “Fon” Ostick (who also owns La Lanta Fine Gallery) in the heart of Charoenkrung Road Soi 36, is a space for all artists to showcase their work. What makes it even more interesting is that this location belongs to a Thai Wildlife Conservationist and thus it fits perfectly with the mission of this gallery. It’s the 100-year-old former residence of Dr. Boonsong Lekagul, who first brought the conservation movement to Thailand. Fon intends to continue this tradition by opening up this contemporary space to discuss all kinds of social issues via art.

Fon’s latest art installation, “SWAMPED,” raises awareness about waste accumulation and how society’s lack of discipline towards the environment has affected our planet. Keeping the concept of the Circular Economy in mind, SWAMPED encourages us to minimise our use of new resources by recycling, upcycling, repairing or even refreshing materials to maintain the closed-loop system. Here’s a look at the art installation:

Designed by Pongpan Suriyapat from Interaction Design Studio Co. Ltd. and curated by Sukontip Prahanpap, SWAMPED brings together the works of four talented artists. While artist Thanawat Maneenawa has shared his whimsical assemblage, textile artist Ploenchan Vinyaratn has taken up a notch to present the consequence of littering via her large-scale weaved materials. It’s interesting to see how Coke cans and unwanted trash have been turned into striking pieces of work. Meanwhile, the sculpture and performance art by Taweesak Molsawat stimulates viewers to question their own actions related to waste accumulation.

The installation also spurs a sensory experience by incorporating visitor’s movements between each artwork. To demonstrate the impact of human activity on the environment, Note Panayanggool created this sensory experience so that when you step anywhere near the work, ambient sounds will be triggered. It’s like hearing the noise of the pollution you created. It’s indeed an eye-opening experience to witness the art at SWAMPED.

All of the waste used in the installation was collected by the local community. Many corporations also lent a hand in contributing their office and home garbage. As you head to the second floor, there are wonderful items such as earrings, handbags, and clutches that have been made from recycled materials and can be purchased at the gallery.

For more information, please check https://warinlab.com/.