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The creative inspiration platform for Thai craftsmen, to love, enjoy, and be proud of modern Thai-ness on the 4th and the 5th floors of ICONSIAM – has collaborated with National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Bangkok Design Week 2020 to organize “ICONCRAFT x Bangkok Design Week 2020” under the concept of “The Color of Thais - Pha Khao Ma: The Colorful Magic of Thai Way of Life”. As part of Bangkok Design Week 2020, the event presents a variety of pha khao ma (multi-purpose checkered loincloth) designed in innovative styles by both Thai and foreign artists from February 1 to 9, 2020 on the 4th Floor of ICONSIAM.
The exhibition “The Color of Thais - Pha Khao Ma: The Colorful Magic of Thai Way of Life” is made possible by the collaboration between National Research Council of Thailand and ICONSIAM as part of Bangkok Design Week 2020. The aim is to integrate Thai cultural heritage, history, arts and local wisdom to show off the cultural local identity through local fabrics made from natural materials. This is the strong point of Thai fabric handicrafts that is famous and widely recognized both in local and international levels. The exhibition presents the
“prototype” of products created by both leading Thai and international artists. The prototypes will later be passed down to a community of artisans in Ratchaburi province and will eventually lead to a real production of a variety of pha khao ma products that will echo the characteristic of each province.
“Pha khao ma” came from the Persian term "kamar band”. “Kamar” refers to waist and “band” means wrapping, therefore the meaning of “karmar band” is a wrap-around cloth. Pha khao ma or sometimes is called “pha kien aew” is a multi-purpose fabric that has been used by Thai people for centuries. Thanks to its multifunctional properties, pha khao ma can be used for toweling, wiping, wearing around a head, covering to protect the sun, and even making a cradle. Pha khao ma is a rectangular fabric woven in checkered patterns of different color shades. Though the little colorful checkered pattern is most popular, the one with plain color in the same size of fabric is still called pha khao ma. Colors and patterns are varied according to each region’s popularity. The classic pattern has vertical and horizontal lines of squares of colors in equal sizes. In the Central region, the checkered pattern normally comes in large size that is contrast to those of the Northeastern part that the little alternating squares of colors are more popular.
The exhibition “The Color of Thais - Pha Khao Ma: The Colorful Magic of Thai Way of Life” is made possible by the collaboration between National Research Council of Thailand and ICONSIAM as part of Bangkok Design Week 2020. The aim is to integrate Thai cultural heritage, history, arts and local wisdom to show off the cultural local identity through local fabrics made from natural materials. This is the strong point of Thai fabric handicrafts that is famous and widely recognized both in local and international levels. The exhibition presents the
“prototype” of products created by both leading Thai and international artists. The prototypes will later be passed down to a community of artisans in Ratchaburi province and will eventually lead to a real production of a variety of pha khao ma products that will echo the characteristic of each province.
“Pha khao ma” came from the Persian term "kamar band”. “Kamar” refers to waist and “band” means wrapping, therefore the meaning of “karmar band” is a wrap-around cloth. Pha khao ma or sometimes is called “pha kien aew” is a multi-purpose fabric that has been used by Thai people for centuries. Thanks to its multifunctional properties, pha khao ma can be used for toweling, wiping, wearing around a head, covering to protect the sun, and even making a cradle. Pha khao ma is a rectangular fabric woven in checkered patterns of different color shades. Though the little colorful checkered pattern is most popular, the one with plain color in the same size of fabric is still called pha khao ma. Colors and patterns are varied according to each region’s popularity. The classic pattern has vertical and horizontal lines of squares of colors in equal sizes. In the Central region, the checkered pattern normally comes in large size that is contrast to those of the Northeastern part that the little alternating squares of colors are more popular.
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ICONCRAFT is designed under the concept of “The creative inspiration platform for Thai craftsmen, to love, enjoy and be proud of modern Thai-ness”. This is the platform of inspiration for Thai artists that Thai people can take pride and be passionate about Thai products designed in creative twists. The ideas to blend the old beauty with the ever-changing contemporary lifestyle make ICONCRAFT a center of innovative products and Thai contemporary handicrafts that stand out from other places. The new generation of designers successfully merge their craftsmanship and body of knowledges that should be preserved and extended to produce the eye-catching and outstanding products that are easily accessible to the public and meet the needs of customers, particularly the new generation of Thais and foreign visitors.
Therefore, ICONCRAFT joins hands with National Research Council of Thailand and Bangkok Design Week 2020 to organize “ICONCRAFT x Bangkok Design Week 2020” featuring the designs of pha khao ma in creative twists by Thai and international artists namely Namfon Laistrooglai, Chalit Nakpawan, Saran Yenpanya, Chaichon Sawantrat and Peter Pilgrim. The exhibition also presents a history of pha khao ma and the characteristics of patterns produced by different communities in 17 provinces such as the checkered pattern, little checkered style, sai pla lai pattern, and ta moo design. Another highlight is an art installation primarily made from pha khao ma fabric in applied and innovative ways that promises to become a hot photo spot. Workshops on how to make a brooch from pha khao ma, and how to screen the checkered pattern are also held. Shoppers should not miss to visit the pop-up stores selling a variety of products fashioned from pha khao ma ranging from clothes, accessories to home decorative items.
Let’s come to join “ICONCRAFT x Bangkok Design Week 2020 The Color of Thais - Pha Khao Ma: The Colorful Magic of Thai Way of Life” at ICONCRAFT on the 4th and the 5th floors of ICONSIAM on Charoen Nakhon Road. For further information, please call 1338 or visit www.iconsiam.com.
Therefore, ICONCRAFT joins hands with National Research Council of Thailand and Bangkok Design Week 2020 to organize “ICONCRAFT x Bangkok Design Week 2020” featuring the designs of pha khao ma in creative twists by Thai and international artists namely Namfon Laistrooglai, Chalit Nakpawan, Saran Yenpanya, Chaichon Sawantrat and Peter Pilgrim. The exhibition also presents a history of pha khao ma and the characteristics of patterns produced by different communities in 17 provinces such as the checkered pattern, little checkered style, sai pla lai pattern, and ta moo design. Another highlight is an art installation primarily made from pha khao ma fabric in applied and innovative ways that promises to become a hot photo spot. Workshops on how to make a brooch from pha khao ma, and how to screen the checkered pattern are also held. Shoppers should not miss to visit the pop-up stores selling a variety of products fashioned from pha khao ma ranging from clothes, accessories to home decorative items.
Let’s come to join “ICONCRAFT x Bangkok Design Week 2020 The Color of Thais - Pha Khao Ma: The Colorful Magic of Thai Way of Life” at ICONCRAFT on the 4th and the 5th floors of ICONSIAM on Charoen Nakhon Road. For further information, please call 1338 or visit www.iconsiam.com.
