Eternal [Kalpa]

The theme of Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, "Eternal [Kalpa]”, points to the enduring connection between humans and nature across different times. The biennale will address the many challenges of our coexistence with others, made urgent by failings of technology, ecology and economy.

The theme of Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, "Eternal [Kalpa]”, points to the enduring connection between humans and nature across different times. The biennale will address the many challenges of our coexistence with others, made urgent by failings of technology, ecology and economy.

The image of the sun setting off Promthep Cape stands for the rhythms that bind this earth, in both its everyday life and its more profound, cosmic journey – a metaphor for constant, renewable love. In popular art forms like song and poetry, nature often represents timelessness and resilience. However, the threats posed by our technology, warfare and industrial pollution have underscored the fragility of the natural world and its potential destruction by human activities.

The historical interpretation of art and love may need revision, as human-centric thinking drives the exploitation of nature and ignores the inherent value of all living beings. In an age of anxiety borne of this self-centered perspective, even time itself has become suspect and unreliable. The history of Phuket opens a space for contemplation on the passage of time and the coexistence of various timescales, a sanctuary for introspection in a world riven by conflict, competition, soaring inequality and intercultural tension.

To foster sustainability and empathy, it is crucial to acknowledge and honour the many rhythms of life – the diversity of time – the breeding cycle of turtles and birds, the delicate culture of coral reefs, the slow growth of trees and rocks. Could the understanding of different temporalities in nature lead to greater compassion and appreciation for the world, counteracting humanity’s acquisitive and exploitative tendencies?

It is vital that we recognize and respect the varied and variable tempos of human interaction as well. The priority given to progress and a narrow, linear view of history has made it harder to share time, entrenching historical conflicts and misunderstandings. To do justice to the complexity of coexistence, we must embrace multiple temporalities and interdependent rhythms, in the spaces and ecologies we share. It is only with respect for the sacred dimensions of nature and the diversity of time that a truly planetary love can be realised.