“Spirits of Maritime Crossing” featuring Marina Abramović and Jakkai Siributr

Marina makes her acting debut in a film titled ‘The Spirits of Maritime Crossing’, directed by curator Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda featuring contemporary Thai dance artist Pichet Klunchun, that explores spirituality and relationships between West and East. Abramović assumes the role of a wandering spirit that travels from Venice to Bangkok, through unfamiliar lands, in search of peace and fulfillment.

The Spirits of Maritime Crossing, is presented by Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) Foundation, bringing together 15 artists from the Global South from countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore in a new exhibition taking place at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana. The show provides a preview exhibition to international audiences ahead of Bangkok’s own biennale which takes place from 24 October 2024 – 25 February 2025.

The Spirits of Maritime Crossing explores themes of diaspora, displacement, and colonialism through the lens of ocean and sea travel. The exhibition also draws parallels between the geographies and histories of Venice and Bangkok with the latter being known as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to the city still maintaining a network of canals (khlongs) where people live, work and travel on a daily basis. Spanning performance, painting, film and sculpture, the exhibition features works by Marina Abramovic (who previously mentored renowned performer Melati Suryodarmo), Khvay Samnang, Jakkai Siributr, Moe Satt and Priyageetha Dia as well as other artists from South East Asia.

Marina makes her acting debut in a film titled ‘The Spirits of Maritime Crossing’, directed by curator Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda featuring contemporary Thai dance artist Pichet Klunchun, that explores spirituality and relationships between West and East. Abramović assumes the role of a wandering spirit that travels from Venice to Bangkok, through unfamiliar lands, in search of peace and fulfillment.