บางรัก 10500 (2019)
บางรัก 10500 (Bang Rak 10500) is a publication design project using cultural probes to explore Bang Rak’s potential futures as a creative district and the consequence of gentrification process informed by Bang Rak’s locals
Context
In recent years, Thailand creative industries embraced Bang Rak district’s approach to becoming the new creative district. Despite the rise of the creative class, it raised concerns of predetermined gentrification and future social issues. The activities between the locals and newcomers have shown the sign of segregation. Bang Rak locals lack opportunities to voice their opinion on the changes made to Bang Rak. Till today, their opinion was left unanswered.
Six publication from six different narratives.
Design Research
This project used cultural probes to explore the question “What do Bang Rak’s locals think about the development of creative district and gentrification process in Bang Rak”. A cultural probe kit allows respondents to report their experiences which can lead a better understanding of their thoughts, values, and key value on Bang Rak future as a creative district. The cultural probes tool kit included three activities: an interview, questionnaires, and documentation. The interview aim is to understand the participant background and opinion on creative district and gentrification. The questionnaires are designed for the respondent to be critical and reflective by comparing and contrast their ideal future vision of Bang Rak. Lastly, the participant will be documenting subjects that they want to preserve in 20 years with a disposable film camera. This will discover and reflect their true values. From observation and data collected through trails of cultural probes. The result varies due to their personal experience of gentrification.
Project
บางรัก 10500 is a set of 6 publications of 6 different stories. Each publication is designed to the individual background, experience, and attitude toward creative district and gentrification. The mood of the project is intimate and personal. The story will be told by the respondent through visual representation. This project will combine film photography which the respondent took with the interviews of what they want in the future. Each publication will also include my own personal reflection of the interaction which will conclude the whole experience that left untold.
Objective
1) Act as a channel for local to voice their opinion on the development of the creative district.
2) Create awareness and open for discussion on possible social implications.
3) Create an archive of collected speculations and opinions informed by Bang Rak's locals.
Service User
This project appeals to Bang Rak’s locals, creative industry, TCDC, urban planning, the institutions of government, engineering, non-governmental organizations, and the border community of social innovation.
ปราตีย์, street food vender, one of the six narrative.
ชัยยุทร, Farmer and Shoe repairer, one of the six narrative.
Benefits of the proposal
บางรัก 10500 aims to create further knowledge of the future development of Bang Rak creative district by bringing new insights informed by Bang Rak’s locals. By creating awareness and educate audiences about this emerging theme, it prepares society to help prevent future harm and disappearing of Bang Rak culture. With a better understanding of the other side, together we can flourish a unison creative district future.
Exhibition
Commde Creative Walk ‘19
Showdate:
Grand Opening
1st June 2019
6pm - 11pm
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Exhibition Hours
2 -9 June 2019
11am - 6pm
Venue: Lerd Urasayanant Building, Department of Industrial Design,
Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo credit: Zip Event / Commde Creative Walk
Source of information
· Huabcharoen, N. and Ellsmore, D. (2017). Creative Class and Gentrification: The Case of Old Bangkok Foreigner Communities,Charoenkrung and Talad Noi Neighbourhood. International (Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts), 10(5)
· ศูนย์สร้างสรรค์งานออกแบบ, T. (2019). TCDC : Co-Create Charoenkrung Project. [online] tcdc.or.th. Available at: https://www.tcdc.or.th/projects/co-create charoenkrung/?CODE=co-create-charoenkrung [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019].
· Cea.or.th. (2019). Vision / Mission – CEA. [online] Available at: https://www.cea.or.th/vision-mission/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2019].
· Creative District. (2019). Charter - Creative District. [online] Available at: https://creativedistrictbangkok.com/charter.
· Gaver, B., Dunne, T. and Pacenti, E. (1999). Design: Cultural probes. interactions, 6(1), pp.21-29.