This series of watercolor portrays the Mekong River and its surroundings in the hope to communicate how precious the place is and the beauty of living in harmony with nature.
The subject of this visual story telling essay is the newfound mother-daughter bond during the COVID-19 epidemic. A series of poses in which Ayu and her mother, tied by their hair, undertake domestic tasks together conveys the feeling of reassurance in being with family during the pandemic.
Forced to remain at home, photographer Toto Santiko Budi reflects on the world outside and the household setting with a fascinating and entertaining series of diptychs– singular artworks made out of two pieces of photographs.
The unprecedented changes in the flow of the Mekong river are leading to the disappearance of khai. This local food for communities along the river is no longer sufficient for the villagers and for sale. Khai is an important indicator of the Mekong River’s wellbeing, its disappearance tells us that the river is also slowly dying.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, the staff and students of the Lopburi College of Dramatic Arts launched a public education initiative to spread information about how to prevent infection using a cultural approach consisting of traditional dance with new lyrics.
The changes in the Mekong River such as drought and unseasonal water fluctuations cause suffering to the villagers who depend on the natural resources and the ecosystems provided by the river. If we do not protect and preserve its biodiversity it will be too late.
According to Luc Citrinot (2010), “for a long time, museums in Southeast Asia did not see as interesting attractions to international visitors. Thusly, a museum visit is generally not the factor to motivate their visit this part of the world”.
The author tells us how he continues the tradition of his Javanese ancestors and their belief in the universality of art and prayers, irrespective of specific symbols or rites. We are all united to safeguard our universe and humanity, and he dances and prays that this COVID-19 goes away soon.
Since 2012, hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh from the Rakhine State in Myanmar. Some have been living discreetly in Nepal, establishing a settlement in a quiet part of the Kathmandu city. In this piece, the author share some of her observations.
This special initiative provides a platform for the creative use of visual documentation and art to advocate for environmentally and socially friendly measures to save the Mekong River.
