The Art, Culture, and Community Relation Section and Cultural Center opened the “Creative Art and Culture” Project under the concept: “not obsessed of the old, nor the new”
May 26, 2019 at Khum Si Than, Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University – The Art, Culture, and Community Relation Section and Cultural Center, Khon Kaen University held the 1st Creative Art and Culture Learning Project. This event also launched the Creative Activity Promotion Section under KKU Cultural Center, another learning space for the community. The concept of this event was “not obsessed of the old, nor the new”.
Before the opening ceremony, there was ‘Manora Dance’ by students from Taksin University, Songkhla, who are under professional training program at the cultural center. The dance drew attention of all and received rounds of applause for the beauty vernacular culture of the South.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Art, Culture, and Community Relation conveyed the reporting speech to Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul MD, President of Khon Kaen University. Among those joining the event were Mrs. Natsamon Tanakulrangsarit, Assistant to the President for Art, Culture, and Community Relation, KKU administrators, staff, students and people from outside. Dr. Kittisan Sriraksa, Director of Cultural Center and the center’s administrators welcomed the participants to the event.
Acting President
Vice President for Art, Culture, and Community Relation said, “The Art, Culture, and Community Relation Section has the mission to nurture art and culture by integrating valuable local wisdoms with the changing social context, to create sustainability of cultural preservation and pass on to younger generation, and create social and economic values from art and cultural learning activities. The Creative Activity Promotion work has been initiated as a center for learning and transferring art and cultural wisdoms to staff, students, the elderly, the community and individuals in both the governmental and private sectors who have interest. Creative works in different dimensions have been selected, with an emphasis made on former wisdoms to be integrated with new innovations. Those who come will be able to create pieces of work in preservative or contemporary styles under the notion, “not obsessed of the old, nor the new”. This will be the learning resource in art and culture suitable for all ages and will lead to increased values in terms of aesthetics, economy, society, and culture.”
“The 1st Creative Art and Culture Learning Project is held to launch the Creative Activity Promotion work under the Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University and to public relate the readiness of the center as a learning space for creative art and culture. The objective is also to integrate research knowledge, academic work, and local wisdoms. Today, there are demonstrations of creative art and cultural work for all who are interested.”
Khon Kaen University President said, “The 1st Creative Art and Culture Learning Project is held to create preserved and contemporary art and culture under the concept, “not obsessed of the old, nor the new”. The event is a learning resource for art and culture that is suitable for people of all ages. The outcomes will be aesthetic values and added values for the economy, society, and culture. At the same time, the area around Khum Si Than will be utilized to its fullest capacity and will be known by people inside and outside. “The 1st Creative Art and Culture Learning Project features many activities such as shows, performances, glass painting, dessert cooking, cloth tie and dye, and food stalls. Everyone is welcome to join.” Besides answering KKU policy, the event promotes conservation, succeeding of culture and art as the place will be a learning resource center for all.
The learning area was divided into 4 zones: 1) food, dessert, and local Isan food; 2) art – cloth dyeing, glass painting; 3) science zone – making soap from natural material; and play zone – with ‘Lao kratop mai’ dancing show.
Dr. Kittisan Sriraksa, Director of Cultural Center said, “Khon Kaen University’s policy for art and cultural center is to carry out work that deals with creative work, activities and arrange areas for learning to extend knowledge in art and culture. Most activities are meant to serve students and people around the university. In the future, when the Creative Activity Promotion Section has full potential to organize learning activities, more training can be offered which will bring more revenues to Khon Kaen University.”
The activities today answer the mission of the Creative Activity Promotion Section, Cultural Center as the center for learning and transferring of art and cultural wisdoms, especially of the past integrated with new innovations. So the activities are suitable to all.
