Encounter the Visionaries: 

6 Homecoming Creators Unveiling Their Impact at Chiang Mai Design Week (Part 1)

CMDW emphasizes the inclusion of homecoming creators, including designers, artists, artisans, etc., who return to their hometowns in Chiang Mai and the north of Thailand to collaborate with local creators and entrepreneurs. We believe that by combining the diverse visions and experiences of these returning individuals with those of local creators, we can not only bolster each other’s creative strength but also cultivate new opportunities for our creative industry. Now, let’s introduce the six homecoming creators we want you to meet.

COTH Studio (Kawisara Anansaringkarn and Chalermkiat Somdulyawat)

Showcases: Everyday Contem / Persona of Things/ Local Cabinets

COTH Studio is an interdisciplinary design studio founded by architects, designers, and exhibition creators Kawisara Anansaringkarn and Chalermkiat Somdulyawat. They have been the driving force behind numerous captivating design exhibitions in Thailand. Additionally, they collaborate with local artisans to elevate regional handicrafts into unique products tailored for the global market.

In CMDW 2023, COTH Studio took charge of creating three showcases: ‘Everyday Contem’ (TCDC Chiang Mai), where they provided a platform for homecoming creators to collaborate with local artisans in developing products that align with contemporary demands; ‘Persona of Things’ (Mantana Building, Chang Moi Rd.), an initiative inviting artisans to repair broken objects while adding new functions and designs to them; and ‘Local Cabinets’ (De Siam Warehouse, Hang Dong district), a display featuring wooden cabinets infused with extra design elements inspired by Chiang Mai’s landmarks, transforming these cabinets into art pieces.

Photo Credit: Chiang Mai Design Week

“Observing that working as a lone wolf creator or letting the designer be the sole focal point of every design hasn’t proven effective. These designers may not fully comprehend the contextual insights necessary for their designs, such as knowledge of local materials and practical usage. Therefore, we firmly believe that good design must emerge from the collaborative efforts between the designer and local individuals, whether they are artisans, users, or holders of traditional wisdom. This approach fosters a sense of pride as co-owners of the design.

“For the Homecoming project of CMDW 2023, we had the opportunity to survey many artisan communities in the north of Thailand and realized that these villages possess significant potential to elevate their crafted wisdom into sustainable product design. However, enhancing these creations requires a collaboration of our vision with their skills and experiences. The outcome may not yield instant or highly commercial products, but what we achieve are genuine items that authentically reflect the identity of the villagers. These creations align with local skills, materials, and functions. COTH Studio expressed, ‘We believe showcasing the process in this manner may convince other designers who share our mutual beliefs.” 

For more info about COTH Studio, visit https://www.cothstudio.com/

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Thanatcha Chairin

Showcase: Transforming Local 

Thanatcha Chairin is an artist and lecturer in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Chiang Mai University. She created various forms of art, including sculpture, mixed media, and installations. Her work focuses on the modernization of social and cultural aspects that impact traditional ways of life and handicraft making.

In CMDW 2023, Thanatcha showcases a series of wooden sculptures with the concept of Memento Mori (a symbolic trope acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death). These sculptures depict realistic creatures, with each half of their bodies presenting the bones inside their flesh. The showcase, titled ‘Transforming Local,’ is exhibited at TCDC Chiang Mai.

Photo Credit: Chiang Mai Design Week

“As someone born and raised in Chiang Mai, I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with local artisans, especially wooden sculptors. Over time, I’ve observed a fading of craftsmanship wisdom. For the Transforming Local exhibition, I visited numerous craft villages in Chiang Mai, collecting wooden craft objects to create the Memento Mori sculptures. This endeavor not only seeks to preserve the value of these objects in an era where such craftsmanship is gradually disappearing but also explores new possibilities for these craftworks within the realm of contemporary art,” said Thanatcha.

For more info about the artist, visit https://thanatchachairin.wixsite.com/website?fbclid=IwAR3t1cJtNIFvDMP9siaNeMYmOsVbgmRqHVVN7FA1e-mnB1Uq-rQdp-uX1VU

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Witaya Junma

Showcase: Sound Moment

Witaya Junma is an interactive installation artist who has received numerous international awards in art and design. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Chiang Mai University, Witaya has expanded his fine art practice into digital art and experimental projects, inviting audiences to enrich their experiences through visuals, sound, and touch. In CMDW 2023, Witaya presents the ‘Sound Moment’ – a showcase of graphic motion accompanied by sounds extracted from crafted vinyl records.

Photo Credit: Chiang Mai Design Week

The exhibition invites audiences to choose two vinyl records displayed on the wall. Each vinyl features distinct graphic patterns on its surface, inspired by symbols associated with the locality of Chiang Mai. When these records are played on the phonographs, cameras positioned above the players capture scenes of the spinning records. These scenes are then displayed on the exhibition room’s screen. The symbols on the surface of the records synchronize with their corresponding sounds on the screen, creating a unique animation show for the audience. In essence, attendees can craft their own animations by selecting vinyl records. The Sound Moment exhibition is located on the first floor of the Thana-Arkarn Building on Ratchawong Rd.

“Both the symbols on the surface of the records and their accompanying sounds reflect the essence of the northern Thailand locality where I grew up and studied. These symbols range from local birds and flowers to the sounds of the forest and city ambiance. I believe these carefully chosen combinations embody elements familiar to local people, yet, due to their proximity, often overlooked. However, these ordinary pairings serve as a rich source of inspiration, waiting for everyone to explore and enhance them for new creative endeavors.”

For more info about the artist, visit http://www.witayajunma.com/

Chiang Mai Design Week 2024 will be held on the 7 – 15 December 2024 at Klang Vieng, Chang Moi District.

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