Art is a creative process that feeds into society’s needs – from its practicality to the aesthetics and as a medium to express the eusociality of humanity. Art is thus inseparable fromsociety. Every one of us has their own freedom to elevate their lives through art, paving the way to greater heights in personal taste and creativity as well as to expanding it to promote sustainability in social development.
Social welfare, meanwhile, is a system of social services that protect, rectify, develop, and support social stability while also fulfilling the basic needs of citizens. The system seeks to ensure good quality of life and self-sustainment in an appropriate, fair, and standardized manner – covering the aspects of education, health, hygiene, shelter, occupation, income, and recreation along with the jurisdictionalsystem and general social contexts. It also takes into account human dignity, basic citizenship rights, and participation in the management of social welfare itself on every level in accordance with the Social Welfare Promotion Act of the B.E. 2546 and B.E. 2550 addendums.
In light of this definition, art can be classified as a type of“social welfare” that exerts an influence on people’s minds. It provides a measure to control desires and sparks a subconscious awareness of people’sultimate power to think, create and develop– all of which contribute to the existence of individuals who possess an understanding of the changes in our world and the condition of ourminds.
*Open to all attendees free of charge
*Conducted in Thai
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About Pichet Klunchun
A graduate of the Dramatic Arts Department, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Pichet Klunchun has attained national and international recognition for his inventive,sophisticated performances, blending the movements of traditional Thai dances seamlessly with their more contemporary counterparts. Pichet has directed and choreographed countless performances in Thailand and overseas, and his work has left a mark on various performance art festivals in Asia, the US, and Europe – including such performances as “The Sacrifice of Phya Chatthan”, “Ganesh”, “Chui Chai”, “Black & White”, “Nijinsky Siam”, and “I’m a demon”.
Pichet’s works have won countless accolades on domestic and international stages – including the Silpathorn Award for Performing Arts in 2006, the 2008 ‘Routes’ ECF Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity from the European Cultural Foundation – granted to outstanding cultural artists and thinkers who have forged paths to enable inter-cultural understanding, and the 2009 “Outstanding Courage” award from the Sanya Dharmasakti Institute for Democracy. In 2012, he was appointed by the French Ministry of Culture as a Chevalier of the French Arts and Literature Order in honor of his contributions to the art world in France, Thailand, and the world. In 2014, Pichet became the first Thai artist to receive the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Award from the Asian Cultural Council in recognition of his status as a leading light for Thailand’s traditional arts on the world stage. Today, Pichet remains active as a dancer and the founder of the “Pichet Klunchun Dance Company” – a dance troupe dedicated to the art form and the development of expert dancers skilled in traditional Thai performance arts. His dance company has also founded the Chang Theater as a stage for Thai and international acts alike.
