Opening of Souvenir – Falsehoods, Follies, Fate at CMU

October 9

Opening of Souvenir – Falsehoods, Follies, Fate, an exhibition by Dr. Ian Bonde at Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery, Chiang Mai University. The opening was presided over by Ron Elliott the honorary Australian Consul in Chiang Mai The exhibition is a sculptural response to the artists encounter with the ‘House of Success’. Jangjuarinnakorn House (a.k.a. the White Lion Mansion); an ornate pseudo Baroque fantasy on the inside of the north west corner of the moat, was built by a Thai property mogul ‘Tycoon Jack’. He built it as a private mansion for himself and his family and the building behind (House of Success) as sales offices for his elite business executives. With the collapse of the Thai property market in the late 1990’s, it is said the eccentric millionaire went insane and murdered his family in their home, butchering them into pieces. According to local legend, Tycoon Jack’s enterprise was doomed to failure from the outset. It is said the site of the property was a potent mix of bad Feng Shui and Thai superstition and would bring bad luck. Furthermore, the ornate pastiche of European Architecture was considered a vulgar display of wealth by ordinary local people, especially within the walls of the old city and particularly when competing with the height of the surrounding temples. Other interesting ‘stories’ can be discovered when visiting this exhibition which is on display until 31 October 2019.