For the 2017 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season (SUSAS), a close attention to the“connection and disconnection” in the process of contemporary society of Shanghai City is proposed. “thisCONNECTION” is a production and reflection based on the disconnection of Shanghai City, which will involve a variation of “disconnection”no matter in spatial issue or humanity concerns; and also arise the challenge and opportunities of urban renewal. With the aim of waking vitality of Minsheng port, “thisCONNECTION” would like to introduce a platform between Huangpu River and Minsheng Port by a development of waterfront area with recreation, and look forward to more possibilities of future public space made by these specific “connections”.
Wattanachot Tugatela
The images from Shanghai of the work in progress for SUSAS 2017, entitled “This-CONNECTION” which will officially open on October 15th.
Stefano Boeri is the main curator of this edition of the Shanghai Urban Space Art Season, the most important international event of architecture, urban planning, design and public art in Shanghai. Along with the architect the curatorial team is composed by Prof. Lee Xiangning, dean of School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, and Mr. Fang Zhenning, contemporary independent artist and critic.
“This-CONNECTION” invites artists, architects and designers from all over the world to show their proposals of new ideas and visions for the future of public space, as areas of connection and disconnection between the people.
The Loy Krathong festival is cerebrated throughout Thailand and other countries, especially where there are rivers, seashores and canals, and other places of flowing water.
Loy means to float and Krathong is a lotus shaped vessel made of banana leaves, which usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins. Celebrants light the candle and joss sticks, make a wish and let them drift away until they go out of sight.
The grand ceremony will take place in Bangkok, Ayuthaya, Sukhothai and Chiangmai in November.
Nang Nopamas' original design and the materials she used, with small variations, have survived to this day. Each krathong is made by hand using banana tree slices with folded banana leaves intricately placed in a variety of fashions. The krathong contains flowers, joss sticks, candles, devotional offerings and hair or fingernail clippings.
As legend has it, a naturally made krathong is placed into a body of water with a simple ceremony to honor the Goddess of all water sources, expressing gratefulness for the life-giving fluid and asking her forgiveness for misusing the water. Buddhist principles are integrated into the ritual and all individuals believe that by floating the krathong and making the devotional offering, all bad luck, disease and any unhappiness will also float away.
He could read the stars, cast horoscopes, foretell eclipses, and fulfill the duties of a weather prophet. As the founder of Dhammayuth sect for monks in Thailand, he used his knowledge of astronomy to set the dates for the religious ceremonies. His modern fame in the West comes from the American movie: "The King and I."
The First Loy Krathong Festival
The following story was written by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in English:
'In the reign of Somdet Phra Ruang there lived a famous Brahmin who was noted in the capital, and in all the surrounding country, for his great wisdom. There was no branch of knowledge whose depths he had not fathomed. He could read the stars, cast horoscopes, foretell eclipses, and fulfill the duties of a weather prophet. He was well versed in the mysteries of the theory and practice of medicine, and knew the names, habitats, and virtuous properties of all the plants that grew. As a theologian he could explain the origin of all things, and discourse upon the subtle doctrines of all the religions then known. He was an authority upon law, could tell what had been the customs of many people, and devise plans for firm and wise government. As a scholar of ancient practices he was unrivalled, and knew all the details of the growth and development of all religions and social usages. Such a man found great favour in the eyes of the sovereign, who made use of the Brahmin's great wisdom in the management of his subjects. He gave him many honours and appointed him to fill many important functions. Amongst many offices that he held, two were given him on account of his unrivalled knowledge, namely those of chief physician and chief judge.
November 22, 8:00am to 10:30am: Worshipping ritual to House Spirits, White Pagoda and Ping River, at Chiang Mai Municipality Office, Sri Khong Pier. November 22, 7:00pm to 10:pm: Floating the candlelit Krathong down the Ping River, along the Ping River in front of the Chiang Mai Municipality Office. November 22~23, 7:00pm to 10:00pm: Traditional Lanna Dance Performance, at Chiang Mai Municipality Office. November 23, 7:30pm and 9:30pm: Fireworks displays, along the Ping River in front of the Chiang Mai Municipality Office..
