Visitors cross a bridge at Art in Paradise — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Bangkok is not known as a gallery or art city, but that doesn't mean you can't find some artistic pursuits. The new Art in Paradise 3D art gallery, located on the fourth floor of Esplanade Mall, is the perfect place to while away a rainy afternoon with friends or the entire family. Just make sure you bring a camera and plenty of energy for hamming it up.
Three-dimensional art, or illusion art, seeks to turn ordinary two-dimensional artwork into three-dimensional interactive pieces. At Art in Paradise, visitors get to be part of the paintings and get creative in terms of how they want to see and be in the picture.
Art in Paradise is the brainchild of Shin Jae Yeol, a Korean who has now brought three 3D art museums to Thailand: one in Pattaya, one in Chiang Mai and the latest to Bangkok. Needless to say, the results are one incredible photo op. And in a Facebook- and Instagram-crazy country like Thailand, you can just imagine how much fun people have posing at these various locations.
You can also ride the waves at this interactive art gallery — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
There are several different rooms at the Bangkok gallery, ranging from period or country themes, and there is also a great mix of traditional and new art. In one room, there may be a Picasso or Rembrandt classic for you to gaze at. Except here at Art in Paradise, the artist has set it up so that you can get involved with or be part of the painting.
In another room, you might find Venice's canals spread out in front of you, but you can hop in a boat in the middle of the painting and have your friend immortalize your journey on Instagram or Pinterest. Other popular canvases include crossing a perilous hanging bridge in the jungle or surfing big waves in the middle of the ocean, and there are plenty of crocodiles or dangerous critters to stick your head in or next to.
Enjoy some wine before you leave this unique attraction — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
The two-story gallery is crammed with plenty of paintings to keep you occupied, and although the lines can get long at the more popular images or the ones more likely to produce the most laughs, you'll be busy either posing yourself or getting a kick out of someone else's act.
While art critics might cringe over geeky youngsters making silly faces underneath sacred Dutch Masters’ pieces, snapping away on their iPhones, at least the kids are getting some exposure to the art world that they probably never would otherwise. Besides, they're having a lot of fun at the same time, and as we all know, nobody can begrudge anything that is sank ("fun") here in the "Land of Smiles."
Art in Paradise is of tremendous fun for kids and families, and certainly a fantastic way to spend a day escaping the rainy season blues.
