Van Gogh Alive in Bangkok 2023 (part 1)

Van Gogh Alive is a travelling exhibition devoted to the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh which opened in Bangkok on 31 March 2023. The exhibition runs until 31 July 2023.

The exhibition is in Iconsiam, a relatively new shopping mall on the other side of the river. I am at Sathorn Pier, waiting for the shuttle boat which will take me to the other side of the river. There is a poster for the exhibition in the waiting zone.

I have to go down the ramp to the shuttle boat which will take me to Iconsiam on the other side of the river.

 

I am on the shuttle boat. I am ready to go from Sathorn Pier to Iconsiam on the other side of the river.

 

The shuttle boat is crossing the river. 

I am on the way to Iconsiam.

 

I am inside Iconsiam. The area next to the movie theatre on floor six is used for the travelling exhibition devoted to the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh.

 

The sunflower is often associated with Van Gogh, because it was one of his favourite motives.

The exhibition is divided into four sections:

 

The first room offers a brief introduction to Vincent Van Gogh. 

 

The second room is used for the sound and light show which runs for ca. 40 minutes. Music and pictures are used to illustrate the life and work of the Dutch artist. 

 

The third room focuses on specific parts of his life and his production. This room includes a separate space where visitors can join a painting class and try to copy one of Vincent's paintings. There is also a cafe which is named after the artist.

 

The fourth room is a shop where you can buy merchandise which is more or less connected with the Dutch artist.

 

Vincent painted many portraits of himself, but there are very few photographs of him. This is a rare photo of the artist who was born in Zundert in the Netherlands in 1853. He died in Auvers-sur-Oise in France in 1890.

 

This is a reconstrction of Vincent's bedroom in the Yellow House in Arles in the south of France where he lived for a while.

 

This is a detail of his bedroom. Three jackets and a hat are hanging on hooks next to the bed. On the walls there are some paintings.

 

Two paintings on the wall above the bed. 

The reconstruction of his bedroom is based on information from Vincent himself. He made three versions of this motive.

The Cafe Terrace at Night

Painted in 1888

This is one of his most famous paintings.

The cafe in Arles in the south of France.

I was in Arles a few years ago (2002). The cafe is still there. It looks almost like the painting. In modern times, it has been named after the artist who painted it more than 100 years ago.

 

The Café Terrace at Night.

The original painting is at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo in the Netherlands where I saw it a few years ago (2000).

 

 

Noon Rest From Work

Painted in 1889

 

Starry Night

Painted in 1889

 

Wheat Field With Crows

Painted in 1890

 

*****

 

From the first room you can enter the second room and watch the sound and light show which runs for ca. 40 minutes. 

 

You have to stand or sit on the floor. You are allowed to use a mobile phone to take pictures and video during the show. Many visitors did that. But I did not, because it is impossible to cover the whole thing. 

 

There are many different images all around you the whole time. Huge versions of Vincent's paintings and drawings. You have to be there in person to experience this show about Vincent's life and work.

 

*****

 

Go to the next installment:

Van Gogh Alive in Bangkok 2023 (part 2)

 

*****

Van Gogh Alive in Bangkok 2023 (part 2)

The sunflower is often associated with Vincent Van Gogh, because it was one of his favourite motives.

The third room includes a separate space which is filled with sunflowers.

Sunflower

Painted in 1889

 

The separate space with sunflowers and mirrors

 

More sunflowers

The third room includes a separate space which is devoted to the numerous letters which Vincent wrote to his younger brother Theo who gave him economic and moral support whenever it was needed.

Theo Van Gogh was an art dealer who lived in Paris. He was born in 1857. He died in 1891, only six months after his brother.

Theo's widow Jo Van Gogh-Bonger (1862-1925) worked tirelessly to promote the work of Vincent and to keep the memory of her husband alive. Her efforts were eventually crowned with much success. 

 

The Yellow House

Painted in 1888

 

Wheat Field with Cypresses

Painted in 1889

Daubigny's Garden

Painted in 1890

Charles-Francois Daubigny (1817-1878) was a famous French painter who moved to Auvers-sur-Oise in 1860 where he had an enclosed garden. 

 

Vincent admired him and we know from a letter to his brother Theo that he was very sad when he learned that Daubigny had died in 1878. 

 

When Vincent came to Auvers-sur-Oise in 1890, Daubigny's widow was still living in the house. Vincent made three paintings of the enclosed garden.

 

 One of many self-portraits

 

Another self-portrait

 

 

Starry Night over the Rhône 

Painted in 1888 

 

 

Painting class:

How to paint the sunflower - step 1, 2, and 3

How to paint Vincent's bedroom - step 1, 2, and 3

 

 

Painting class:

Six motives visitors can try to copy

 

 

Cafe Terrace at Night

Painted in 1888

 

The Yellow House in Arles

A full-scale reconstruction of the facade

 

 

This construction looks like a detail of Daubigny's Garden

Visitors can use it as an opportunity to take a photo

 

 

Inside the third room:

Van Gogh Coffee

Since 1853

 

 

When you leave the third room, you can enter the fourth room where you can buy merchandise which is more or less connected with Vincent Van Gogh.

The wall of the shop is decorated with a drawing and a quotation from one of his letters: "The sunflower is mine, in a way."

This is, perhaps, a fitting way to say goodbye to this interesting exhibition devoted to the life and work of the famous artist.

*****

Van Gogh Alive

Bangkok 2023

Iconsiam

31 March - 31 July 2023

*****

On this blog

my review of

Van Gogh:

The Complete Paintings

(2012)

posted in March 2018

and my review of

Vincent Van Gogh:

Masterpieces

(2013)

posted in January 2023

*****

City of Vice (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Vice – a mini-series in five parts – is a historical drama which premiered on British television (Channel 4) in 2008.

 

The drama - set in London around 1750 - is based on a true story: the founding and first operations of London’s first police force, aka the Bow Street Runners.

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** Directed by Justin Hardy and Dan Reed

** Written by Clive Bradley and Peter Harness

** Musical score composed by Richard Blair-Oliphant

** Historical consultant: Hallie Rubenhold

** Released on DVD in 2008

** Run time: 5 x 48 minutes = 240 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Ian McDiarmid as Henry Fielding (1707-1754) – a magistrate

** Iain Glen as John Fielding (1721-1780) – a magistrate

** Francis Magee as Saunders Welch – a runner

** Steve Speirs as William Pontlow – a runner

** Alice O’Connell as Mary Fielding – Henry’s wife

** Sam Spruell as Lord Newcastle – a politician

 

The force known as the Bow Street Runners was established by the Fielding brothers in 1749. It was active for almost one hundred years, until 1839.

 

This was London’s first police force. The Metropolitan Police of London was established by Robert Peel in 1829. When this happened, the Bow Street Runners were gradually phased out.

 

Henry Fielding was a published and popular author when he decided to do something about the crimes that were committed in the city of London.

 

His younger half-brother John Fielding, who was blind since the age of 19, continued as the leader of the force when Henry died in 1754.

 

In this drama, we follow the two brothers and some of their first operations as magistrates in charge of the Bow Street Runners.

 

Henry and John lived in a house in Bow Street. Hence the name of the force they established.

 

Each episode covers one case and one type of crime. What we see is not always pleasant, but very realistic. We are in the underbelly of London.

 

What do reviewers say about this historical movie?

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 76 per cent, which corresponds to 3.8 stars on Amazon.

 

On Amazon there are at the moment 66 ratings of this product, 63 with reviews.

 

The average rating is 3.1 stars which corresponds to a rating of 62 percent.

 

If you ask me, both these ratings are too low.

 

Why do I say this?

 

I have several reasons:

 

# 1. The script is well-written

# 2. The actors play their roles well

# 3. The drama is captivating, dramatic, and emotional

# 4.  It is based on a true story

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

REFERENCES

 

# 1. A book

 

The First English Detectives:

The Bow Street Runners and

the Policing of London, 1750-1840

by J. M. Beattie

(2012)

(2014)

 

# 2. A historical drama

 

A Harlot’s Progress – a historical drama set in London in the year 1731 about a harlot and a painter - is a somewhat similar product.

 

** Directed by Justin Hardy

** Screenplay written by Clive Bradley

** Musical score composed by Richard Blair-Oliphant

 

This historical drama was shown on British television (Channel 4) in 2006 and released on DVD in 2008.

 

*****

The First English Detectives:

The Bow Street Runners and the

Policing of London,

1750-1840

By J. M. Beattie

(Hardcover 2012)

(Paperback 2014)

 

*****