Curtain raiser

After its "soft" launch last year, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre was officially declared open yesterday with the exhibition "Virtues of the Kingdom".

Presiding over the ceremony on her 77th birthday, Her Majesty the Queen was greeted by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Cabinet members, who were among more than 500 VIPs and artists at the opening.

 After pausing for a celebratory dance by a 77-strong troupe from the Fine Arts Department's Dramatic Arts College, Her Majesty proceeded into the centre. Here, National Artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon recited a poem on Her Majesty's devotion to the Kingdom's arts and culture, then Khunying Chamnongsri Harnjanalak read out a poem titled "Mai Tae Tee Mae Tor" ("Silk Woven by Mother") by SeaWrite poet Paiwarin Khaongarm.

Public pour in

After spending more than two hours in the Centre, Her Majesty left at 8.30pm, and members of the public poured in to view the exhibitions and demonstrations.

One of the highlights was "Khon Prommart", a photographic display of costumes and makeup produced by Her Majesty's Support Foundation and used in the recent acclaimed masked-dance performance at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

Khon collections

The khon collections are on display on the eighth floor, where the evening was taken up with lively demonstrations and dancers showing how they apply their makeup.

Visitors will get repeats on weekends.

On the 9th floor, the centre is staging the "Father's Photographs ... Strength of the Land" exhibition featuring paintings, installations and sculptures that reflect the relationship between His Majesty the King and his subjects.

Both exhibitions run until October 11.

Dogged by controversy

A budget of Bt12 million was spent on the opening but the event was marred by controversy, with some artists staying away, claiming the Centre's management was paving the way for private organisers to reap profits from exhibitions.

The Centre has been dogged by controversy from the beginning. It took 11 years to complete the Bt500-million project in Phathum Wan district, in the heart of the city.

Acting director Chatvichai Prompattavethee said the present management team acknowledged the management problems and would deal with them over the next three months.