Dear Partners and Friends of SEA Junction,
This September signs the start of a series of major exhibitions that will last till the end of the year, with the first two exploring the deepening conflict in Southern Thailand. To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances at the end of August, an exhibition of body maps painted by victims of violence and their relatives makes visible inner trauma and ongoing efforts to foster healing. This vision of pain is contrasted with a successive photo exhibition, in which the day-to-day life of people in the South in the quiet of their homes amidst conflict is portrayed.
Beyond Thailand, we look at regional trends like digital control and surveillance by Southeast Asian states and we reflect on the future of Southeast Asia with an innovative initiative. To commemorate the 56th Anniversary of the ASEAN establishment, we have launched with the JFK Foundation the written and visual essay competition “Which Road for Southeast Asia?” taking the title from an essay by former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Thailand Thanat Khoman at the forming of this regional bloc to offer an opportunity to youth in the region to reflect on current and future regional developments.
Finally, we remain committed to keeping Myanmar in the spotlight through the #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Monthly Updates and our ongoing Living the Coup initiative, offering insights into the current daily challenges in Myanmar after the coup. The most recent story on the impacts of the conflict on families on painted postcards by Chuu Wai can be read at this link.
For more detailed information about each event, please refer to the section below. We hope you will continue to find our program of interest. We count on your participation and help in sharing the information about our programs with your network. And, if you would like to support us, please click on the donation box below.
Best regards,
Lia Sciortino Sumaryono
Founder and Executive Director, SEA Junction
EVENT PROGRAM
Exhibition “Bodymaps for Healing: Seeking Peace in Southern Thailand”
On Display: 5 – 17 September 2023, Curve wall, 4th floor, BACC
Opening Event: 5 September 2023 5:00 – 6:30 PM at SEA-Junction, 4th floor, BACC
In collaboration with the Duayjai group and the Cross-Cultural Foundation, the exhibition aims to raise awareness about the importance of healing for all those who have suffered psychological impacts from violence and to foster participation among networks in order to develop a support system. Displayed at BACC 4th Floor Curve Wall, the exhibition will encompass more than 30 body maps produced during a therapeutic art program with conflict-affected communities in the Southern part of Thailand, which were previously displayed at the Pattani Art Space and at the University of Prince of Songkhla. The exhibition will be launched with a panel discussion on 5 September 2023, 5:00-6:30 pm at SEA-Junction
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/exhibition-bodymaps-for-healing-seeking-peace-in-southern-thailand/
Southeast Asia Mini Book and Craft Fair
9 – 10 September 2023, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm at SEA Junction
Once a month, SEA Junction holds a mini book and craft fair focusing on Southeast Asia. At the fair, we offer small craft from the region along with many books, including new books from recognized publishers, second-hand books double to those in our library, and development-related books from outside the region that have been donated to SEA Junction. We have also a collection of books in French and in Italian. All funds raised at the fair contribute to SEA Junction’s functioning and activities. More details on the website coming soon.
34th #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar Monthly Updates
13 September 2023, 4.00 – 5.00 PM on Zoom & FB Live
This update series was started soon after the coup d’état in Myanmar with the aim of contributing to a greater understanding of the crisis situation there for informed action in support of the democratic movement in the country and beyond. In collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights, with media support by Mizzima, we are continuing the series with Debbie Stothard. The updates consisting of 20-minute analysis and 40-minute Q&A are held via Zoom and livestreamed on our Facebook Page. To join via Zoom, just click on this link. More details on the website coming soon.
Photo Exhibition “The Deep Places in the Deep South”
19 September – 1 October 2023, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Curved Wall, 4th floor, BACC
Opening Event: 24th September 2023, 5:00 – 6:30 at SEA-Junction
Organized by SEA Junction in collaboration with Realframe, the photo exhibition by Yostorn Triyos narrates how in the midst of challenging circumstances, “ordinary” people in Southern Thailand navigate the challenges posed by the conflict, perform their daily tasks and manage to cope with conflict. Supported by Minority Rights Group International and co-funded by the European Union, the project incorporates anthropological and sociological dimensions through the lens of the “Living Room,” which functions as both a cultural and spiritual space.
See further: http://seajunction.org/event/photo-exhibition-the-deep-places-in-the-deep-south/
Report Launch: Inaugural Joint Report Series by the ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship “Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia,”
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, 5:30-7:30 pm at SEA Junction and Zoom & FB Live
The launch of the report inaugurates the Joint Report Series, a collaboration of the Manushya Foundation and ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship, which highlights surveillance repression by Southeast Asian states. The details of the event will be updated in the near future. More details will be shared on our website soon.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
Special Initiative to Commemorate the 56th Anniversary of ASEAN Establishment:
Written and Visual Essay Competition “Which Road for Southeast Asia?”
Submission deadline: 16 October 2023.
This essay competition invite emerging writers, photographers and artists to envision the future of their region and the eventual role of Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. The submitted essays (both in writing or in visual format) should 1) reflect on recent developments of regional relevance in Southeast Asia 2) examine the role of ASEAN in addressing current and emerging issues and, most importantly 3) propose a vision for the future of Southeast Asia and attaining a genuine “community” with or without ASEAN. The submission deadline is 16 October 2023.
See further: http://seajunction.org/written-and-visual-essay-competition-which-road-for-southeast-asia/
Living the Coup: Collective Diary of Daily Life in Myanmar
How people in Myanmar are coping with the junta control and wide-spread conflict is the focus of this project in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR). “Living the Coup” aims to document the personal stories of people as can be read at the link below and to mold them into a collective diary.
See further: http://seajunction.org/living-the-coup-collective-diary-of-daily-life-in-myanmar/#.Ymy5I9NBy5c
For information please email southeastasiajunction@
About SEA Junction, OUR Venue on Southeast Asia
Please join the Facebook group and page & follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
