Zomia in the Cloud

Production Zomia proposes a project to engage with the people and natural creatures that have lived in the region where Thailand/Laos/Myanmar border adjoins. Although they have formed a fluid and vibrant life through their ecosystem over a long period of time, their territory has been eroded recently by state power and global economic development. As a result, the number of ethnic minorities, refugees, and others forced to leave their homes and move to other parts of the world has been increasing each year. See the report by UNHCR. We believe that art can liberate, affirm, and empower individuals in solidarity, and hope to deliver it to the people in difficult circumstances.

Source UNHCR https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends

We will therefore create a platform for exhibition activities at various locations run by NGOs and other organizations that support refugees, ethnic minorities, education, and welfare activities near Chiang Rai and some other areas in Asia. We will announce the project on our website, grant access to organizations that wish to participate, and allow them to freely select works (paintings, photographs, videos, etc.) created by multiple artists to be exhibited at any location they deem necessary, free of charge. No gallery or dedicated exhibition facility is required. They can find appropriate spaces in schools, libraries, hospitals, assembly halls, etc., and have their works installed, screened, and placed there. In this way, the works should meet different audiences than the usual visitors, including those who are in oppressive and unequal situations and need liberation and solidarity. This is also a tribute, 20 years later, to Utopia Station, which was launched in 2003 as a project to envision a different kind of society at the time of the rise of new imperialism after 9/11.

At the same time, an art space in the city will be used as a venue (Singhaklai House) to make these works available to regular Biennial viewers with the Aura Contemporary Art Foundation's collection and newly commissioned artworks.

Participating Artists for Cloud Project :
Irwan Ahmett & Tita Salina, Aung Myat Htay, Mech Choulay, Montika Kham-on, Hirose Satoshi, Be Takerng Pattanopas, Piyarat Piyapongwiwat, Quynh Dong, Kano Tetsuro, AWAYA, Khvay Samnang, Ngoc Nau, Souliya Phoumivong, Lyno Vuth, Lim Sokchanlina, Som Supaparinya, Maung Day, bacili, Ri, Shwe Wutt Hmon, Ting-Tong Chang, Tuan Mami, Tith Kanitha

Participating NGOs for Cloud Project :
Camillian Social Centre Chiang Rai, Hill Area and Community Development Foundation, Hill Tribe Museum And Education Center, AAR JAPAN, International Medical Volunteers Japan Heart, Sakura Project, Peace Winds Japan, VIETNAM yêu mến KOBE, Social Compass

Participating Artists for the exhibition at Singhaklai House :  
Shwe Wutt Hmon, Ri, Aung Myat Htay, Tith Kanitha, Maeda Kohei,

Singhaklai House — Modchanaphai Foundation, Singhaklai Road, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai

• December 12, 2023 - February 28, 2024
• Opening on December 12, 2023
• Talk on December 16, 2023

• https://maps.app.goo.gl/r36vs3gyYYrHW6cNA
• https://productionzomia.com/zomia-in-the-cloud/project-outline
• https://www.facebook.com/singhaklaihouse
• Open TUE – SUN 10:00 – 17:00

About Us :

Production Zomia was formed in 2021 as a network of artists, curators, researchers and other arts professionals in Asia. Recent activities include “Zomi:Trans-local Migrants on the Water - Contemporary Art from the Mekong Region"" (2021, Semba Excel Building, Osaka, Japan), “Anarco-Animism”(2022, Reborn Art Festival, Miyagi, Japan) and “Orange Mandala” (2022, Kinan Art Week, Wakayama, Japan). The term ""Zomia"" refers to the mountainous regions of mainland Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar) after the Tibetan and Myanmarese word "Zomi" (highlander). Zomia is characterized by dispersion/migration and oral traditions, escaping any form of state control such as taxation, military service, slavery, etc. They are also a people who believe in animism and live in an egalitarian society. Based on the nature of the Zomi, we produce exhibitions and projects in various places and forms.