Limbo Collective
11-29 September 2024OVERVIEW
The Limbo Festival, held from September 11-29, 2024, at Some Space Gallery, The Goodcery, and Sapphic Riot in Chiang Mai, Thailand, successfully brought together a vibrant collective of Thai and Myanmar citizens. This gathering emerged against the backdrop of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which has since resulted in the displacement of millions. Hosted under the theme "Art, Food, Talk, Comedy, Performance & Music," the festival attracted 1,028 attendees, offering a dynamic platform for dialogue and cultural exchange.
This festival was the culmination of a two-year dialogue between Thai and Myanmar activists and artists, collectively known as 'Active People.' These individuals shared poignant narratives about their disrupted futures and the transformation of their despair into hope within a democratic and supportive community setting. Limbo Festival served as a canvas for these stories, illustrating the resilience required to cope with conflict and the strength found in mutual support through various mediums such as food, art, culture, and humor.
The Project is composed of
- The Limbo Exhibition titled "Reimagination Work in Progress" took place from September 11-29, 2024, at Some Space Gallery in Chiang Mai, engaging a diverse audience with its innovative and visionary art pieces. This exhibition, a collaborative effort between Limbo and A New Burma, brought together 14 artists from Thailand and Myanmar, presenting 15 unique artworks and performances. The opening reception on September 11 attracted a significant number of visitors, offering free admission along with an enriching schedule of talks and performances.
- "Playing With Fire," held on September 12, 2024, at The Goodcery in Chiang Mai, was a solidarity event that brought together the elements of food, music, and performance with a focus on addressing environmental sustainability and cultural preservation issues faced by Thai and Myanmar communities. The event attracted 213 attendees and featured a panel discussion, a food tasting buffet, a movement theatre performance, and a DJ-led party.
- Burma Night Live, held on September 15, 2024, at Some Space in Chiang Mai, offered a vibrant showcase of Burmese culture through traditional satirical performance, documentary film screening, karaoke, and a food party. This free event attracted 145 attendees and provided a platform for the expression of Burmese artistic and cultural traditions, particularly focusing on Thangyat—a form of performance that combines folk verse, music, dance, and satire, traditionally performed during the Thingyan festival. The event featured the satirical group DooDooChat, who presented contemporary issues affecting the Myanmar diaspora in Thailand, echoing the resilience and enduring spirit of humor among the Burmese people.
- In the heart of Burma, where the struggle for justice is met with ruthless suppression, the voices of political prisoners reverberate from behind bars. “Echoes of Resistance” shines a light on these courageous individuals who, despite being detained by a dictator, continue to relentlessly fight for their country’s freedom. Each prison cell holds a story of resilience, a spirit that cannot be silenced.
- This exhibition aims to capture and amplify these echoes, demanding the world hear Burma’s ongoing fight for democracy. In a country still plagued by oppression, the irrepressible spirit of its political prisoners serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for justice and liberty.
The artworks take various forms, including painting, photography, VDO art, multimedia installation, short film, internet art, art toys, interactive art and performance
