Diving into the underwater world and experiencing its beauty and challenges is now possible in the middle of Bangkok: A new exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) showcases the journey of plastic pollution, its impact on marine wildlife and the path towards solutions.

The exhibition ‘Tangled: ติด – ร่าง – แห’ is hosted by the Environmental Justice Foundation and Love Wildlife Foundation and is supported by ‘Rethinking Plastics’. Until 27 February, visitors can experience the impacts of plastic waste, fishing gear and single use plastics through artworks and photography, discuss what they would do if they get ‘tangled’ and learn more about ways to reduce marine litter, which is nowadays one of the greatest threats for the environment and biodiversity worldwide.

During today’s opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. David Daly, the Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, highlighted: “Newer and better ways to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics are becoming increasingly important and innovative, as the switch towards circular economy for plastics – in which resources are used and managed in a more efficient and sustainable way than they are today – is needed more than ever. Arts and culture are among the key tools to deliver these kinds of messages, to entice visitors and to encourage further dialogue and exchanges on the way. I am therefore glad and proud that the European Union is part of this exhibition through the ‘Rethinking Plastics’ project which aims to work towards circular economy for plastics and on preventing plastic waste from ending up in the ocean. We support the project in partnership with the German Government and work closely with the Thai Government – particularly the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – and other Thai partners. This collaboration is one example of how we need to tackle marine litter and plastic waste-related challenges: that is together with multiple stakeholders and with like-minded countries around the world, if we are to achieve meaningful progress.”

“In the past, the ministry has been working with all sectors including private and civil society, as well as promoting the cooperation with the international organisations, in order to drive forward and to solve the problem of plastic waste management from production distribution, consumption and management at the end point station to achieve concrete results,” added Mr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. However, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment does not stop here but will continue to drive operations by focusing on integrated operations with all relevant sectors.

The participants of the opening ceremony were the first to explore the exhibition with the art installations and photographs of four Thai artists, Narongyot Thongyu, Natalie Limwatana, Satit Raksasri and Sirachai (Shin) Arunrugstichai. The art pieces use marine plastic waste to provoke solutions-focussed conversations around marine litter, while the underwater images showcase the impacts of ghost fishing gear and plastic waste on our fragile marine ecosystems.

“The images of plastic covering beaches make me wonder how it would be like down there in the oceans. So, I created turtles from scraps entangled by fishing nets retrieved from the bottom of the sea,” explained contemporary artist Narongyot Thongyu about his piece named ‘Here, There and Everywhere’. “We are all part of a society, and we can all do our part to help raise awareness and make positive changes,” he said.

The exhibition is open to the public from 11- 27 February 2022 and includes several scheduled talks and activities. It takes place at the Studio room on the 4th floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). The BACC is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-19.00 hrs (closed on Mondays) with free admission. 

A virtual tour of the exhibition can be taken here.