Take a ride through artworks, plays, rock music and films running at the Pridi Banomyong Institute

Never mind the fighting on Bangkok’s streets, art¬works and performances are jostling for your attention in “Tessakarn Silpa Nana Phan” (“Variety of Art Forms”), be¬ing held at Pridi Banomyong Institute on Soi Thonglor until November 2.
The fair’s combination of exhibitions, plays, concerts, live performances, video and film pours light on every di¬mension of the human soul, from spiritual to political.
For a few windows on Thai politics, check out “Yon Roy Silpa Poster Karnmuang” (“Tracing the History of Political Banners”), which of¬fers a series of historical mile¬stones in the form of political posters.
The installation by the Democrazy Studio will be on display from Wednesday till Sunday.
Soulful plays
Want something a little deeper? Drama Cra(z)cy might satisfy your soul with its “Chaochai Noi in the Name of Buddha” (“The Little Prince in the Name of the Buddha”), running from October 31 to November 2. The drama is a fresh retelling of Prince Gautama’s search for enlight¬enment.
Shooting forward two and a half millennia, Bang Play Theatre reflects urban life in “Maha Nakhon 2008” (“The City 2008”), on stage every evening from tomorrow.
The action gets even more New Age in the Naked Masks’ adaptation of Paolo Coelho’s “The Alchemist”, on this weekend and next.
If it’s music you want, head to Fountain Square next week¬end, when bands both young and veteran will be taking the evening stage. Listen out for Stylish Nonsense, Bear Garden, Holy Cosmonaut and others.

Silent films
A highlight of the festival is “Maimee Arai Ja Pood” (“Nothing to Say”) on October 31 – silent video works with musical accompiment by Stylish Nonsense, Bear Garden and Assajan Jakgawa.
The short films by 53 artists include Thunska Pansittivo¬rakul’s “The People”, Chukiat Sakweerakul’s “Say Something”, Surachan Mankongwongsiri’s “Being Refugee”, Donsaron Kovitvanitcha’s “Viva Siam” and Zart Tancharoen’s “1 Week”.
Awardwinning films will al¬so be screened next week.
Various artrelated products are also available at the fair.
Admission is free for many of the shows. Where it’s not, students get a discount.

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