Charintip Choomuenwai, Chief Curator and Vice President, Art & Culture of One Bangkok and The PARQ
Six years ago, the intersection of Wireless Road and Rama IV Road in Bangkok was nothing but a large patch of dry grass, punctuated by an old radio mast. Bordered on one side by the centenary trees of Lumphini Park and on the other by the bustling Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway, it emanated rustic charm – something which appealed to Charintip Choomuenwai.
“Few know that Thailand’s first radio telegraph station was located here, which is why the road is called ‘Wireless Road’,” said the Vice President of Art & Culture at One Bangkok, which is taking shape at the site. Charintip currently heads a team in charge of curating artwork for the sprawling mixed-use development, which will re-energise the Central Bangkok area when it is fully open.
Work on the project began in 2017. Prior to the ground-breaking ceremony, Charintip and her team were there to survey the site. “Together with an archaeologist, we discovered the stone foundations of a century-old building buried beneath the ground,” said the self-professed art lover. These were remnants of the historic Saladaeng radio telegraph station, which dates back to 1913.
“At that moment, I knew what my task was. Art and culture will tell the stories of this place that have never been told before. We will bring it back to life.”
Artist Impression* of One Bangkok, an integrated mixed-use development by Frasers Property scheduled for opening in Q4 2023.
Saladaeng Radio Telegraph Station’s Opening Day on 13 January 1913 which was presided over by King Rama VI. (Image Source: Telefunken Zeitung)
A history showcase
Charintip’s interest in the arts manifested in her early years. While in school, she enjoyed art classes the most and also scored well in them. She graduated in 1996 with a degree in creative arts at Chulalongkorn University, before pursuing a Masters’ degree in design studies in the United Kingdom.
After a brief foray into design work, she settled on her forte: curation. As a curator, she not only makes decisions on which art to display and how to display it – she also conducts research about art pieces in her collection, and works with a team to develop programmes to bring art closer to people. Central to her philosophy is seeing art not as a form of ornamentation but as a method of adding depth and perspective – especially when it comes to history.
Nothing illustrates this better than the fact that she and her team are rebuilding the heritage radio station, which is 110 years old this year. “We are revitalising it as an exhibition space that will be combined with cultural programmes and retail space,” she said, adding that the revamped radio station will be part of the Art Loop, a nearly 2km-long route that threads through and around One Bangkok.
In this way, she hopes to invite visitors into the storied past of the area and of Bangkok itself, even as they are surrounded by modern skyscrapers and smart and sustainable amenities. As its radio station predecessor once did, One Bangkok stands on the cusp of a new era. Artfully arranged in the 17.28 -hectare space are office towers, residential apartments, a live entertainment arena and lifestyle hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Andaz. Both hotel chains are making their Bangkok debut on the site.
“We value the past but also look forward to the future,” observed Charintip.
Capturing community through art
Beyond preserving the past, Charintip also sees art as a way to imbue community into urban landscapes. As a mega mixed-use development in the heart of the city, One Bangkok will be a beacon for office workers, residents, tourists and local visitors.
Not everyone is an art aficionado. But there is one thing people have in common: they love to sit down.
This is why Charintip and her team organised the One Bangkok Urban Furniture Competition in 2022, aptly titled “Seatscapes & Beyond”. Held in collaboration with THINKK Studio, a Bangkok-based design firm, the competition called for undergraduates to submit ideas for urban furniture such as public benches.
“All of the 10 winning designs will be installed in One Bangkok’s public realm,” she said, referring to the substantial portion of the development that will be open to the public and specifically designed for rest and recreation. “People will have the opportunity to experience and use the furniture. More importantly, our winners will observe their designs being used first-hand.”
Art as a brand identity
For Charintip, what sets One Bangkok apart is not just its physical aspects, such as its luxury residences or sustainably-built office spaces. Rather, it is how it offers visitors and residents a new way of seeing life through art.
“Art is a pleasure and an aesthetic, a reliever and a form of recreation, an inspiration to and reflection of society,” she noted. “We want art and culture at One Bangkok to link people from all walks of life together, while at the same time generating employment and uplifting the quality of life for everyone.”
From installations at office lobbies to world-renowned paintings in the arrival chamber of the residential towers, those who pass through One Bangkok will enjoy an aesthetic feast. Beyond the intangible effects on the spirit, art will play a critical role in drawing foot traffic and helping retailers elevate the shopping experience.
“If well-positioned, art and culture can become the brand identity of a real estate project,” said Charintip. “It makes a place unique, and differentiates us from others.”
Worawat Srisa-an, Deputy CEO of One Bangkok (left) together with Charintip (right) were part of the judging panel of the One Bangkok Urban Furniture Competition 2022.
Charintip (fourth from left) with the Top 2 best performing teams at the One Bangkok Urban Furniture Competition 2022.
Rendering* of the public art collection across the indoor and outdoor districts at One Bangkok.
* Pictures may be actual or simulated. Images and specifications may be subject to change, and the Developer reserves the right to make adjustments as a result of changes to regulations or laws at time of construction; and/or, inconsistencies arising from photographs, illustrations or artist impressions which shall serve only as indications for general concepts of the project.