From March 1 to April 12, various artists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Canada will display more than 200 Tian Tian figurines at the exhibition "Tian Tian Xiang Shang: Arts Is Learning, Learning Is Arts", 8th floor Main Gallery of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).
"Tian Tian Xiang Shang" is a Chinese proverb meaning "study well and climb higher every day". It was commonly seen on the front gates of schools throughout China from the 1950s, aiming to encourage self-improvement and self-reflection among young students.
Danny Yung, the exhibition's curator, recognised that though the proverb inspired young people to learn, students still lacked critical thinking. To encourage a more critical attitude, Yung created a series of conceptual comics in the 1970s based around a personification of the proverb: Tian Tian, a curious little boy who constantly questions everything.
In addition to the Tian Tian figurines, there are 100 other Tian Tian creations by local artists, designers and representatives from various political parties, including Patravadi Mejudhon, Dow Wasiksiri and Pratarn Teeratada. People who visit the exhibition in March can also take part in workshops to create their own Tian Tian figurines.
Danny Yung, an experimental art pioneer, is the co-artistic director and founder of Zuni Icosahedron, a Hong Kong-based international experimental theatre company. He is one of Hong Kong's most influential artists and cultural leaders, working in a variety of artistic fields over the past 40 years, including theatre, cartoon, film, video, visual and installation art projects. He has toured over 30 cities worldwide.
