Chiang Mai Municipality is launching Chiang Mai City Gallery @ Chang Moi: Art for Everyone, Our City for Us, a pilot project using public art to connect residents, artists and visitors while highlighting the neighbourhood’s history and identity.
The project will officially launch from 3pm on Friday, 11th September, at the red bridge crossing the Mae Kha Canal in Chang Moi.
Chiang Mai mayor Assanee Buranupakorn said the city has an abundance of artistic, cultural and creative resources that can be used to improve public spaces and historic neighbourhoods. The project brings together local residents, building owners, artists, academics and other city partners to explore how art can help strengthen communities and make urban spaces more welcoming.
The launch will feature a participatory art exhibition along the canal-side walls, a photography exhibition titled “Chang Moi in the Past”, and a public discussion on “Art for Everyone, Our City for Us”, bringing together government representatives, community members, artists and experts in architecture and urban development.
Local food vendors will also be on hand, adding a suitably edible element to the proceedings.
The municipality says the project is intended not only to improve the residential neighbourhood but also to support the creative economy and establish better systems for managing public spaces, with the longer-term aim of creating a safer, more liveable and sustainable city.
For Chang Moi, at least, it seems the walls are finally getting something more interesting to say.
