25 July 2019
The Museum Siam in collaboration with the National Taiwan Museum and the Taiwan Cultural Center in Thailand, holds a Tattoo COLOR, Tattoo HONOR exhibition for the first time in Thailand, showcasing tattoos both countries telling stories relating to cultural heritage through body tattoo art. The tattoos come from three indigenous groups: Ayata and Paiwan from Taiwan and Lanna from Thailand illustrating courage, honor, wisdom and beliefs, etc. The exhibition consists of rare exhibits including a carved wooden puppet, a carved wooden hand and historical photographs of indigenous tattoos, documentary movies relating to tattooing, interesting discussions and workshops. The exhibition is open for the public free of charge from today to 27th October 2019 at Museum Siam (Ta Tien), Sanam Chai Road, Bangkok.
For more information, please contact Museum Siam, Sanam Chai Road, Bangkok at the telephone number: 02-225-2777, or visit the website www.museumsiam.org or www.facebook.com/museumsiamfan.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boonyong Rattanasuntharakun, (Acting) President of Office of Knowledge Management and Development stated that they have a policy focusing on developing and linking knowledge to the new generation, in order to provide a learning space outside of the school classroom. The collaboration between the National Discovery Museum Institute (Museum Siam) and National Taiwan Museum, ‘Tattoo COLOR, Tattoo HONOR’ has been held to tell stories from indigenous groups. Tattoos are not only for aesthetic purposes but also signify honor and pride in the indigenous traditions both in Thailand and Taiwan. ‘Tattoo COLOR, Tattoo HONOR’ will encourage learning and transfer of cultural heritage and history of indigenous groups as well as preserving them in society.
Mr. Rames Promyen, Director of the National Discovery Museum Institute (Museum Siam) said that the ‘Tattoo COLOR, Tattoo HONOR’ exhibition under the concept of “Before the Mark of Honor Fades” is under the cooperation between Museum Siam and National Taiwan Museum. The exhibition consists of three zones:
1) Photography and exhibit zone including carved wooden puppets, carved wooden hands, historical photographs of indigenous tattoos, etc.
2) Discussion activities and workshops from experts in cultural heritage both from Thailand, and Taiwan
3) Documentary film about tattooing and social implications in an integrated and interesting manner.
Mr. Rames added that for Thai exhibits from the Lanna people of northern Thailand the Sak Kha Lai, an ancient and unique tattooing style inherited through many generations among Lanna men showing courage, manhood and endurance to pain. The tattoos are of Himmapan animals, such as rats, weaver birds, vultures, lions, bats, musk, painted storks, tigers, elephants, monkeys and Hanumans according to beliefs of Buddhism and Hinduism. In addition, there are rare tattoo patterns, such as clouds, Mom or lion, etc, exhibited in the event. However, Sak Kha Lai is a tattoo style according to a specific tradition. There is no ‘spell’ used in tattooing, but the tattooist will be presented with a appreciation bowl and will tie a white thread on the person’s hand to conclude the Sak Kha Lai tattooing process according to the Lanna culture.
Mr. Hung Shih-Yu, Director of National Taiwan Museum said that facial tattooing also indicates their skills. Before getting the tattoo, men must prove themselves and be accepted for their courage, and women must prove themselves and be accepted for weaving and agricultural skills. The Paiwan indigenous group living in southern Taiwan tattoo on the body for males and on the hand for females in order to indicate social status and responsibilities. Only those who are of high rank in the tribe are able to have the tattoo. Both of these indigenous groups use tattoo art to show social honor, indigenous traditions, wisdom and religious beliefs, which makes tattooing aesthetic but also demonstrates sacredness and social relationships in that one must be granted permission or acceptance from the group before having the tattoo.
The National Discovery Museum Institute (Museum Siam), in collaboration with Office of Knowledge Management and Development (Public Organization) and National Taiwan Museum, has recently opened the “Tattoo COLOR, Tattoo HONOR” exhibition at Museum Siam, Bangkok. For more information, please contact Museum Siam, Sanam Chai Road, Bangkok at the telephone number 02-225-2777 or visit the website www.museumsiam.org or www.facebook.com/museumsiamfan.
