Project 304

World Artists for Tibet is, a world - wide artistic event, conceived by Flemish artist Frank Liefooghe and members of the European Parliament Jessica Larive and Oliver Dupuis (representing the Tibet Intergroup of the European Parliament), who have taken the initiative to organize a world - wide artistic event. Currently there are approximately 2500 artists from sixty countries participated.

The goal of this project is to bring worldwide attention to the situation in Tibet. While many people know that Tibet is under Chinese colonial rule, few are aware of the extensive human rights violations, which are being perpetrated against the Tibetan people. Restrictions are placed on religious expression; monasteries and nunneries are attacked, nuns and monks expelled or imprisoned; Tibetan children are forbidden to learn their own language or study their culture; political dissidents are silenced through imprisonment, torture and death; and women are forced to undergo abortions and sterilization.

In Thailand, this project was started by Niti Wattuya, a Bangkok based visual artist, who was contacted by Frank Liefooghe in December 1996. With an assistance of Project 304 an alternative art space in Bangkok, and a collobaration with the Thai - Tibet Center, this project was well responded by local artists with all disciplines who show their interests in participating to this world wide artistic event. Project 304 invited local visual artists, performing artists, poets, writers, filmmakers, video makers and musicians to join the show. Art works will be exhibited in three art spaces in Dusit area, Bangkok. Special events such as concert, performing arts, film and video screening and poetry reading will be conducted regularly during the two months period. Panel discussions and lecture on Tibetan issues related to religion, politic, art and culture will be strongly focused.

Rationale:

¨ To promote Tibetan art, culture and identity to Thai people by setting the information center to the audience.
¨ Giving the accurate picture about Tibetan current situation to the audience by conducting seminar & discussion about the important issues.
¨ To express the humanistic concern by using artistic expression through works of arts in various forms such as art exhibitions, performing arts, music and films.
¨ To stimulate the mutual understanding among Thai artists as well as work collaboratively with international artists in different manners.

Participating organizations:
Project 304, 303 Open Space, Studio 1109, Thai - Tibet Center, The International WOW Company, Spirit of Education Movement (SEM) and MAHACHULA BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY, Bangkok.

Funded by Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation and Thai Tibet Center, Bangkok, Thailand and Mr Gyari Lodi, International Campaign for Tibet.

Further information about World Artists for Tibet project. pls. Contact Ronit Herzfeld, HerzfeldR@aol.com and visit the website at http://www.art4tibet1998.org.

Project 304
1129/64 Co-Op Housing Bldg. Thoetdamri Rd.,
Dusit, Bangkok 10300 Thailand Tel.Fax. 662 668 515

Surasri Kusolwong
Kreecha Phupaiboo
Varsha Nair
Tawatchai Pansawasdi
Yannawit Kunchaethong
Chatchai Puipia
Morakot Kateklao
Silawat Romayanon
Kamol Phaosavasdi
Montri Toemsombat
Chitti Kasemkitvattana

Performance :
Santiphap Inkong-ngam
Ryuji Oka
Paisan Plienbangchang
Michael Shaowanasai
Arahmaiani
Narumol Thammapruksa

303 Open Space
1129/63 Co-Op Housing Bldg. Thoetdamri Rd.,
Dusit, Bangkok 10300 Thailand: Tel 668 4651

Supachai Satsara
Songwit Pimpakun
Anurak Chatanan
Nittaya Aueareeworakul
Narumol Thammapruksa
Kitti Maleepan
Sakchai Boonin
Udom Chimpakdee
Somjate Jittramard
Natee Kevalakul
Songsak Tung

Studio 1109
1129 # 1109 Co-Op Housing Bldg. Thoetdamri Rd., Dusit, Bangkok 10300 Thailand Tel. 668 3566

Vasant Sittikate
Niti Wattuya
Manit Srivanichpoom
Kamin Lertchaiprasert
Sriwan Janehattakarnkit
Natee Utarit
Prasong Luemuang

World Artists for Tibet ; A World Wide Artistic Event (Thailand Version)
Special programs

5 July 1998 1109 Studio, 3 pm.
Blessing for H.H. The Dalai Lama on his holiness birthday.
Lecture on "Tibet", by Sulak Sivaraksa
Project 304, 303 Open Space at 6 pm
Opening "World Artists for Tibet", presided over by Sulak Sivaraksa.
Project 304, 303 Open Space at 7 pm.
Performance : True color directed by Narumol Thammapruksa,
Performed by Paiboon Soponsuvapak
Improvisational dance by Lee, Japanese dancer
Alienation by Montri Toemsombat
Sui-Sing By Sui by Santiphap Inkong-ngam (Jay)

17 July 1998 Thammasat University, Bangkok, 3 pm.
Lecture on "Tibetan Culture and current situation"
By A. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh & Dr. Martin Pirenchio

18-19 July 1998 Studio 1109 at 7.30 pm.
Performance : Life Tube by Lee&Jay
Self portrait :a prostitute… by International WOW company.

30 July 1998 , Maha Chulalongkorn Rajvittayalai University, Bangkok
Panel discussion on Vajarayana Buddhism
Moderated by : Dr.Somparn Pornmata
Panel; Sulak Sivaraksa, Khema Nandha

8 August 1998, Prachathiprok Building, Chulalongkorn University at 3 pm.
Video and discussion on Humanrights.
A video , Contre L'Oubli ( Against Oblivion) by Beatrice Soule, Collective works, 110 min. on world wide human rights violation. (French with English sub-title)
Discussion on human rights by Boonthan Verawongse of ACFOD ( Asian Cultural Forum on Development), Dr. Thiranat Karnchana-aksorn and Michael Sheehy (Students for Free Tibet, USA). ( A video is provided by the French Embassy, Bangkok.)

15 August 1998, Project 304, 5 pm
Discussion on Tibetan Literature by Chris Walker
Studio 1109 at 7 Pm onwards
A concert of Pe See Nam (Annop Srisajja) and Tibetan Performer, Penpa Tsering.

29 August 1998 Project 304, at 1 pm, 4 pm.
Video Seven Years in Tibet .
Video screening : Kundun

30 August 1998 Project 304, 4 pm.
Video screening : LUNGTA (Wind Horse)
30 August 1998, 1109 Studio, 6 pm.
Discussion on Tibet today? by Tenzin Rabgyal (The ex-leader of Tibetan students movement from Panjab University), Pipop Udompipatpong (SEM, Spirit in Education Movement), John Koohn, Kazuhiro Nakahara and Akemi Takahashi (9-10-3 Movement of Tibet)

Organized by Project 304, 303 Open Space, WOW International Company, Studio 1109, Thai Tibet Center, SEM ( Spirit of Education Movement), Chulalongkorn Buddhism University and Sathirakoses - Nagapradipa Foundation.

Special thanks:
Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Bureau of HH. the Dalai Lama All India Radio
Lama Doboom Tunku (Director Tibet House) Tibetan Youth Congress
National Democratic Party of Tibet Tibetan Women's Association (Central)
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) The 9-10-3 Movement of Tibet
Mrs.Rinchen Khundo (Minister of Education, Tibetan Government in Exile)
Thai students from Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University, India