Hi,
The opening of “Timeless Harmony” was a smashing success, but first the weather. It’s getting colder. Today it didn’t warm up until mid-day. The overnight was somewhere in the low 50s. Thermals, hats, and scarves are ready.
It looks like nobody knew the ‘Old School Friday’ song. Or, everyone was out shopping (555). The tune was “Poison Ivy”, by The Coasters. ‘Easy Monday’ is: “Tonight you’re mine completely. You give your love so sweetly. Tonight the light of love is in your eyes, but __ __ __ __ __ __.” Hint: Many recordings of this song. First a Girl-Group, then the writer, then everybody. It’s a question about the future.
Saturday evening’s art exhibit, “Timeless Harmony”, was scheduled to begin at 7pm. We arrived at Art Bridge an hour early and some of our friends were already there, having dinner in the restaurant. That was a nice sign. After a few last minute touches in the gallery, we tried to relax in the restaurant. It wasn’t long before more people began to arrive. At 7pm most of the seats were taken and people were still arriving. It was ‘Show time’.
During the ceremony Lisa welcomed the guests and talked about her father and his art, and how she had learned his technique. Our friend Atom translated portions into Thai. The video of Joe (Lisa’s dad) speaking to the audience and discussing his work was well received. Then Lisa introduced two staff members from The Sold Project, one spoke in English, the other in Thai. Cat also spoke in both languages, telling them that she was the first scholarship student. She told the audience how the project has been like a family to her as well as mentors.
Dr. Kobchai also spoke in both languages and was encouraging with regards to Chiang Rai being an art center in the region. He and Lisa walked through the exhibition before it began and he talked about the works he had seen.
After the cutting of the ribbon, the crowd filed up the stairs to the gallery. This is the first time an exhibit like this has been presented. Not only was it a ‘Father/Daughter’ affair, but it included an internationally acclaimed artist presenting his own ‘invention’ The Cast Acrylic Print. The response was very positive and people stayed a long time studying various prints. The Art Bridge artists were there in force and at one point in the evening had Lisa join them for a big group photo. Outside on the deck, under the night sky, there was food and drink and a lot of conversation. Later Lisa gave a demonstration of her method of making a cast acrylic collage print and the smaller gallery was almost full. Guests were recording and taking photos with their phones and asking questions.
The evening drew a very diverse audience and lots of new faces shared the joy. Many of Lisa’s friends brought flower bouquets and plants. The gallery manager estimated at least 150 guests. During the evening there were two videos playing in an alcove between the two galleries upstairs. One was Joe describing in detail how he developed the process and how he makes prints. The other was the recent video shown at the opening. There were people sitting in the alcove taking notes, watching several times, wanting to learn all they could.
When the crowd finally thinned and it was time to go, we noticed many of the guests had moved to the restaurant to continue their evening. We left feeling too excited to be tired. Two pieces sold and there is interest in more. Blue took about 300 photos of the whole process. This week you get to see some of those photos.
The first photo is the entrance to the upstairs galleries. The second gives you an idea of part of the audience present for the opening.
As the weather gets progressively colder we have to make adjustments when it comes to clothing. Long sleeves for me in the morning hours, and probably a light jacket on the evenings we go out. We are so used to hot days and warm nights that when the cold comes, we really feel it. Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the carnival that has been set up on a busy street.
Have a Great Week.
Peace,
Danny
“You must love in such a way
that the person you love feels
free.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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