10 cool finds at this exhibition and pop-up store in Bangkok

The Cabinet de Curiosites of Thomas Erber (CDCTE) 2014 exhibition at Central Embassy. Image: Central Group

BANGKOK - Should you visit the huge new Central Embassy mall in Bangkok this December, you’ll find an imposing, four-storey tall wooden structure in the midst of a space-age sleek shopping complex. Like a skeletal, open cabinet with all its contents laid bare, each tier of the wooden installation built for the Cabinet de Curiosites of Thomas Erber (CDCTE) 2014 exhibition holds more than a few curious objects on show.

Running from now ‘til December 21, 2014 at the luxury mall, the CDCTE is an exhibition and a pop-up store; every exhibit on display comes with a price tag.

Central Embassy and Siwilai Managing Director Barom Bhicharnchitr (centre) and Thomas Erber (right) at the launch of the Cabinet de Curiosites of Thomas Erber (CDCTE) 2014 exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand. Image: Central Group

Conceptualised by former fashion and music journalist Thomas Erber, this art and design-centric exhibition and pop-up store brings together over 70 collectible, limited edition objects and works by international and Thai artists, designers, photographers and brands; each of whom is referred to as a ‘guest’ artist for the current exhibition roster.

You’ll find some other pieces lined beside the exhibition on the upper floors. Like in the style of a mini treasure hunt, you’ll still need to explore the locale — in this case, the said sprawling shopping complex — to discover all 70 exhibits of this exhibition, located at choice spots including the multi-label designer boutique Siwilai on the fifth floor.

A handcrafted ping pong table that can double as a dining tablet too from Bangkok-based furniture firm P Tendercool. Image: Central Group

“There’s a huge difference between the first and fifth [current] edition of this exhibition,” says Erber at the exhibition press junket. Citing the support given by his primary Thai collaborator Barom Bhicharnchitr, managing director of Central Embassy and Siwilai, Erber adds that “Barom challenged us a lot, it’s true; it is the most ambitious edition ever.”

As Erber would go on to explain, this year marks the first Asian stop of the exhibition, as well as the largest edition to date. Besides expanding far beyond the initial 26 designers and brands back in 2010, the 2014 edition also features lunch and dinner menus by French celebrity chefs Bertrand Grebaut, Ana Ros and Virginie Laval as well as a few concerts and deejay sets by acts including British electronic music band Hot Chip.  

“Gathering more than 70 guests in one country, one platform, to do something unique [for the CDCTE exhibition]; that takes a lot of hard work, coordination to make sure that everyone is on the same page,” says Bhicharnchitr. “We’re talking about [involving people from] more than 20 countries; everyone has their own point of view. But that also makes it such a special project.”

“These creative guests are not doing a random product; they do products specifically for Thailand,” explains Bhicharnchitr, on some of the works that were specially created for the exhibition. “You’ll see non-Thai brands creating objects with a Thai essence. For example, you’ll see [French shirt maker] Charvet placed a Thai elephant on their robes.”

One of his favourite pieces on show is a large collaboration between Thai silk brand Jim Thompson and Parisian graffiti artist Ogreoner, who put the image of a striking serpent onto a large silk canvas. “That’s the perfect example of Paris meets Bangkok,” comments Bhicharnchitr, on the work. “It’s an eye-catching but unexpected product for Jim Thompson.”

A collaborative silk scarf design from Thai silk brand Jim Thompson and Parisian graffiti artist Ogreoner. Image: Central Group

With exhibited items as varied as a luxurious crocodile leather-clad motorbike to a teak dining table that also double as a ping pong table, you don’t even need to be an art or design snob to appreciate the pieces on show. As curator Thomas Erber would aptly put it: “When you see something beautiful that was made with an intention that is sincere, you don’t need to know the designer, the brand to be able to appreciate it. It’s meaningful [on its own].”

Intrigued? See the top 10 exhibits not be missed in the gallery below.