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Read the following story by Apipar Norapoompipat from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
When Siwilai in Central Embassy asked street artist Mue Bon to decorate its retail space, he saw it as an opportunity to make a statement.
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS
In the past month, the typically sophisticated window displays of Central Embassy's Siwilai store and café have been covered in graffiti. There’s a giant Mickey Mouse skull in the main window, and instead of mannequins showing off fashionable outfits, painted-over exterminator signs hang chaotically on the cracked and stained walls alongside paintings and sculptures of cute but serious-looking cartoon animals.
Those who know about street art will recognise Mue Bon's signature characters right away, but to the uninitiated, the organised chaos of the display may seem a confusing addition to such a high-end shop.
STREET SPIRIT
“If you look at it from far away, you might think, ‘What the hell is that?’” said Mue Bon. “Siwilai invited me to work on their window front. I saw it as an opportunity to exhibit the work that I’ve been doing on the streets for the past 10 years.”
As one of the first generation of Thai street artists, Mue Bon has made a name for himself with his passionate, politically-charged works. His famous Mickey Mouse skull reminds us of death and urges us to forget about petty concerns, while his flightless blackbird reflects inequality in society. His passion and drive to create compelling dialogues has pushed him to become one of the most respected street artists in the country.
“I wanted to create a feeling of conflict,” he said. “Like you're walking into a 5-star hotel and you walk past something that looks like Klong Toey. It's a mess and it reflects that sense of chaos of the Bangkok streets.”
CIVIC DUTY
The contrast exposes the general public to what street art is. What was once considered vandalism is now being presented in a store whose name literally translates as "to be civilised."
“It's kind of like a symbol of acceptance,” he said. “That this culture has been accepted already. Being civilised for me isn't about money. Other countries don’t measure how civilised they are through their economy, but through art [and culture]. I want my art to speak to people. I never dismiss any street or road, any house or community. If my art has an opportunity to talk to people, to make them think or to exchange knowledge, this is my goal. I want to tear down the wall between art and people to the point where it's just a part of life.”
The pieces in the window display include Mue Bon's painted-over termite-extermination signs. Going into neighbourhoods and taking down the signs, which have hung for more than three or four decades, Mue Bon painted scenes of daily life on top of them to emphasise the normalisation of killing in society. Other interesting gimmicks include cookies in the shape of his blackbird character and drinks with his signature Mickey Mouse skull floating on top.
Section 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. Who is Mue Bon?
a. An entrepreneur.
b. A graffiti artist.
c. A politician.
2. Why did Siwilai ask Mue Bon to decorate its retail space?
a. To raise awareness of street art.
b. To raise the store’s profile.
c. The story doesn’t say.
3. According to the article, Mue Bon’s works reflect which of the following themes?
a. The unfair differences between groups of people in society.
b. The importance of making money.
c. Both a and b are correct.
4. Why did Mue Bon decorate the shop the way he did?
a. To make the shop look more beautiful.
b. To reflect the physical realities of Bangkok.
c. To make the shop look like a gallery space.
5. Why did Mue Bon paint over extermination signs?
a. To highlight poverty in society.
b. To highlight the termite problem in Bangkok.
c. To highlight how killing has become accepted in society.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. Mue Bon wants to make art accessible to ordinary people.
b. Street artists in Thailand have been around for three to four decades.
c. Mue Bon’s art will be on display in Siwali for a month.
7. Which of the following is not mentioned in the article?
a. Mue Bon was once arrested for vandalism.
b. Siwali serves food and drinks featuring Mue Bon’s characters.
c. Mue Bon is a highly respected artist.
Section 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
8. uninitiated
……………
9. petty
……………
10. expose
……………
11. civilised
……………
12. dialogue
……………
13. gimmick
……………
a. a discussion between two or more people or groups, especially to solve a problem
b. having no special knowledge or experience of something
c. well organised socially with a very developed culture and way of life
d. an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy something
e. to let somebody find out about something by giving them experience of it or showing them what it is like
f. small and unimportant
Section 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
“People say, 'Art is …..14….. hard to understand. I don't want to go to galleries. It's a …..15….. of time.' I understand that,” Mue Bon said. “If you go to the mall, you can shop or relax. You don't …..16….. to go to a gallery that’s far away, into a room full of art that you don't understand. There’s nothing wrong with that view. We have to find a link between art …..17….. those people. When I do graffiti …..18….. the streets, I’m trying to give people a taste of art. Artists have a responsibility to be a mirror. Not to hurt people or make them sick, but to make them see things …..19…...”
14.
a. such
b. so
c. also
15.
a. passage
b. place
c. waste
16.
a. need
b. got
c. should
17.
a. to
b. or
c. and
18.
a. at
b. on
c. with
19.
a. difference
b. different
c. differently
Section 4
Write down the adjective forms of the following words used in the story in the space given.
20. chaos
…………………………
21. inequality
…………………………
22. recognise
…………………………
23. symbol
…………………………
24. community
…………………………
Answers
Section 1
1. b.
2. c.
3. a.
4. b.
5. c.
6. a.
7. a.
Section 2
8. b.
9. f.
10. e.
11. c.
12. a.
13. d.
Section 3
14. b.
15. c.
16. a.
17. c.
18. b.
19. c.
Section 4
20. Chaotic.
21. Unequal.
22. Recognised/recognisable.
23. Symbolic.
24. Communal.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
