More to Love focuses on the issue of HIV and AIDS awareness in Thailand. The idea is to focus on the manifold ways by which people can be rendered as different and consequently be subjected to discrimination in all its varieties. However, rather than highlighting the sheer fact of stigma for people affected by HIV and AIDS in Thailand, More to Love seeks to work to change prevalent attitudes. As central to this change, we propose a consideration of the Thai phrase “Ao-Jai-Khao-Ma-Sai-Jai-Rao” (putting their heart into your heart). A number of visual artists in Thailand will respond to the implications of this phrase.

More to Love runs from July 2007 to August 2008. The project brings visual artists together with a curator, people living with HIV, and those involved in the fight against AIDS. The sense of a learning process for all involved is paramount to the endeavor.

Aims

1. To raise awareness about HIV issues in Thailand and the region.
2. To strengthen contemporary art production in Thailand in terms of conceptual frameworks, methodology and presentation.

Objectives

1. The organization of art seminars, talks on HIV and art exhibitions.
2. The evaluation of this project for the benefit of future initiatives.
3. Raise funds with an auction during the exhibition period.

Activities

Activity 1           Introductions, Orientation and Party – On 17 October 2007, all people involved met at Tadu Contemporary Art: sponsors, partners, the advisory team, artists, curator, project writer & editor, graphic designer, PR, HIV experts from HIV-NAT, and invited journalists.

Activity 2           Artist Seminar – The seminar, which took place in January 2008, was led by 4 invited artists: Leo Copers (Belgium), Erich Weiss (Belgium), Gerald Van Der Kaap (NL), and Otto Berchem (USA/NL). The seminar provided a forum for all artists to share and discuss their artworks and experiences with the aim of a creative and critical exchange.

Activity 3           Talk on HIV Issues – On 20 November 2007, ArtAids invited experts on HIV to talk about the Thai context. This activity provided basic information about HIV and encouraged further research, for which contacts were provided.

Activity 4           ArtAids Bookshelf – established at Tadu Contemporary Art, this is a small bookshelf that provides contemporary art books from the H+F Collection and other sources, as well as AIDS-related books. Moreover, the project will subscribe to 3 magazines; Flash Art, Contemporary and Frieze.

Activity 5           Five Day Event – 24-28 July 2008

Activity 6           Exhibition – The finished artworks will be shown at 4 art venues and in public spaces (based on the artists’ proposal). The exhibition will be held in July and August 2008.

List of Participating Artists in the Exhibition

1. Amrit Chusuwan
2. Arin Rugjang
3. Erich Weiss
4. Gerald Ven Der Kaap
5. Kamol Phaosavasdi
6. Krit Ngamsom
7. Leo Copers
8. Manit Sriwanichpoom
9. Nipan Oranniwesna
10. Noree Thammarak
11. Nuts Society
12. Otto Berchem
13. Patiroop Chychukiat
14. Pornprasert Yamazaki
15. Pratchaya Phinthong
16. Prateep Suthathongthai
17. Sutee Kunavichayanont
18. Tintin Cooper
19. Toeingam Guptabutra
20. Top Changtrakul

Board of Advisors

Organized by ArtAids in close collaboration with HIV-NAT
Principally sponsored by ArtAids

Principal Partners and Venues
Tadu Contemporary Art
PSG Gallery, Silpakorn University

The Art Center, Chulalongkorn University
TK park
SCB Park Plaza

Organizing Team

Chattiya Nitpolprasert (Curator)
+66 80 229 4105 , kate95@gmail.com

Naweeya Tangsakul (Assistant Curator)
+ 66 89 138 1088, eve_naweeya@hotmail.com

Apisak Sonjod (Co-Partner and Co-organizer)
+66 85 115 5771, jimsonjod@yahoo.com

Brian Curtin (Project Writer and Editor-in-Chief)
+66 89 163 8102, aganbrian@hotmail.com