China News Service, Bangkok, August 26, Wire Title: Bangkok Essay: Shilongjun Road in the Old City of Bangkok: Historical Scenery and Modern Art Blending Each Other
Author Wang Guoan Zhao Jingnan
The street houses and stone steps that have experienced hundreds of years of wind and rain still have the ancient meaning, and the colorful artistic graffiti on the street walls reveals a strong modern flavor... Located in the Shilongjun Road in the old city of Bangkok, Thailand, the historical style and modern art complement each other. This quaint block is becoming a modern art and creativity exhibition space.
Shilongjun Road was built by the order of King Rama IV in 1861. It connects Bangkok's Grand Palace and the riverside business district where foreigners lived at that time. In the past, old shops and commercial stalls lined up along the street, forming a lively street market full of people.
With the development of Bangkok’s new city, the population of the old city gradually moved out, and Shilongjun Road was no longer prosperous. However, the diverse architectural patterns and features of the old street have basically been preserved. If the Chao Phraya River is the soul of Bangkok's city, then the old town on the river bank represented by Shilongjun Road embodies the real old Bangkok style.
In recent years, the Bangkok City Government has actively promoted the conservation plan of the Shilongjun Road block in order to protect this style. The plan is positioned with art design, digital technology, heritage protection, community cooperation, food, etc., to "tailor-build" a new image of Shilong Junlu, and strive to integrate art into the daily lives of the people.
To this end, the Bangkok City Government has strengthened the construction of block infrastructure, such as increasing Internet speed, planting street trees, and renovating rivers. At the same time, it has improved "software" services, including stabilizing rents, implementing tax reductions and other preferential policies to attract artists and creative workers to settle in. . Today's Shilongjun Road, historical buildings are scattered among the green alleys of the Chao Phraya River, colorful art and creative products of unrivaled nature have injected "spiritual" vitality into the neighborhood.
Warehouse 30 is a good place to explore artistic and creative products on Shilongjun Road. It was rebuilt by the well-known Thai designer Duangrit Bunnag in 2017 from 7 Japanese warehouses that were abandoned after World War II. Its style combines old and new elements. The modern furnishings contrast with the rough architectural style. , Full of personality.
The park retains the structure of the warehouse itself and is divided into 7 areas, connected by passages both inside and outside. In different spaces, from independent clothing brand stores, record stores, restaurants, cafes to galleries, old object exhibition stores, bars, etc., each exists independently, but forms an organic whole, showing the "creative everywhere" lifestyle , Let the people inside it naturally realize the concept of "Cultural and Creative Change Life".
The "post-90s" young painter Kantapon (Kantapon Metheekul) often visits here. He told reporters that strolling along Shilongjun Road and admiring the various graffiti works painted on the old buildings and the walls of the streets and lanes are relaxing and joyful.
After graduating from Thai Art University, Kantarpong went to New York, USA for further study. After returning to Bangkok, he continued his painting career. He is a "small and famous" street artist in Bangkok, and he often holds painting exhibitions in various galleries on Shilongjun Road for everyone to visit for free. "I hope people can get close to art here," he said.
On the red exterior wall of Warehouse 30 Cultural and Creative Park, Kantarpong painted his own artistic image. He said: "The whole block is the artist's "drawing board". When people walk on it, they feel that they are living in art. The daily trivialities and the beauty of art are connected and full of interest."
Currently, Shilongjun Road has preserved more than 100 well-known historical sites and buildings. The most magnificent Catholic church in Bangkok-the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Bangkok's first hotel-Oriental Mandarin Hotel, Thailand Central Post Office and wooden arcades, holy mosques, etc., every ancient building or old business in the block There is almost a historical story behind it.
As the sun sets, the historical buildings on Shilongjun Road and the creative space full of artistic atmosphere make the ancient charms flow and flourish here. “It’s worth visiting frequently here. You can see the face of life and art, and experience the fusion of ancient and modern history.” Kantarpong said. (Finish)