Swimming in the mainstream

An American gallery owner is doing his best to promote contemporary Thai art 

Almost 13 years ago, H Ernest Lee came to Asia with the dream of starting an art gallery. Having previously worked as a business manager in the wine industry in the United States, his experience on the professional side of art was limited to some management he had done for a friend back home in exchange for some paintings. 

 While some would question the wisdom of taking such a risk in a new business, Lee has thrived in what he sees as a booming art scene in Bangkok. What he lacked in planning and connections, he made up for in passion. Now, as the owner of H Gallery, located on Sathon Soi 12, he has worked with many of Thailand's foremost artists and shows no sign of slowing down, with programming planned to 2013.

Lee spoke to Life about starting a gallery as a complete unknown in Asia and how the art scene has changed in Bangkok in the decade he has been here.

What brought you to Bangkok?

I wanted to have a gallery. I wanted to go into the art business and make it official. I had some freedom in my life at the time. I thought that I would come to Asia, find work, be based here part of the year, take work back to the United States, have exhibitions in the United States, and build something there. That didn't work out.

Had you been to Asia previously?

When I made the decision to come and be based here, I knew the culture from history and school, but I'd never been. At first I came for two weeks and did a quick trip to get a sense of the region. My original idea wasn't Thailand. I assumed I would be working in either China or Vietnam, but it worked out to be here. It's just the way it evolved. I started coming here more, got enthralled with the art scene. I felt like it was kind of open and that I could do something here. Sure enough, I've been in business now since November 1999.

How was it breaking into the art scene in Bangkok?

At first, nobody had worked with me, and they didn't know me. I wasn't a known person. I thought maybe I should do some exhibitions here.

I started doing exhibitions in November of 1999. I showed art work in alternative spaces around the city. Eat Me was the first venue, and I also did things with the Meridian Hotel and BMW before I built up enough of a business to feel comfortable about investing money and finding a space and making it official.

(The exhibitions) became quite well known, quite successful in their own way. Not necessarily financially, but they became very popular things, the exhibitions and the opening parties, etc. It just developed from there. I ended up having to stay and do this. I wasn't ultimately meant to do this in the US, I was meant to do it here.

How did you go about finding artists for your early exhibitions?

I went to the universities. The big guys, who were already being shown at exhibitions, I went to all those as well. I got a good sense of what was going on in the city. I had a lot of time on my hands back then too, so I had time to go visit people, talk to people and see artists' studios. But the big guys were already taken by established galleries here. I felt like maybe it wasn't the best thing to do, trying to get them. I don't know that they would even have been interested in working with me back then.

So I went to the university and found artists who were free and clear, and their work was interesting, exciting and a little edgy. Now the bigger artists do show with me, but in the beginning it was emerging artists from the university.

How was the art scene in Bangkok different when you started?

The gallery scene was much quieter. We're talking about 10 or 11 years ago. There were several good galleries, but they were kind of hard to find if you were a person on the street. When I opened, mine was geared a little more towards westerners and expatriates living here, and maybe trying to be more of an international gallery based in Thailand. Now there are quite a few galleries. It's more organised on an international level. If you come here now from abroad and you want to see the gallery scene here, it's easy to do.

Why do you think it has opened up in this way?

There was a paradigm shift a few years ago about art. When I first came here, it seemed as though art was something at the university, something over there, it's own sort of world. It wasn't part of mainstream Thai culture. That's all changed in the last 10 years. It's now part of the mainstream. Artists, students and regular people will go to exhibition openings and galleries now.

That wasn't always the case. There was the art scene, and that was separate from fashion, or finance, and now they're all a little more blended than they were a few years ago. Art and exhibitions are much more fashionable.

Are there any particular movements you see a lot of in modern Thai art?

I'm more a part of the contemporary scene. I work with more contemporary artists. Over the past few years, more and more students have gone to art universities abroad. A lot of them come back and bring very interesting ideas. You've seen more of a change in the overall scene. It's more open minded, looking towards the west and trying to develop their own styles based in Thailand.

Do any particular Western styles seem to resonate with the Thai artists who are educated abroad, and get brought back to Thailand?

They don't bring back Western styles, necessarily. They go abroad and are educated and it opens their mind a bit. It takes them out of their culture. I can speak for myself, living outside of my culture, I have a different attitude about the United States now that I've been abroad. It's the same thing with artists. As artists, they're open-minded to begin with. They go abroad, they look back at their own culture, then they come back and come up with something.

ADB warns complacency threatens to derail 'Asian century'

TOKYO : Asia could be as wealthy as Europe by mid-century, but only if it tackles key challenges from inequality and corruption to climate change, says the Asian Development Bank.

• 
  

  Kuroda: Resource management the key
  Based on current trends, Asia will make up half the world's economic output by 2050, and another 3 billion people will have joined the ranks of the affluent, their incomes matching those of Europe today.
  But the ADB study also notes the world's fastest-growing region remains home to almost half the world's absolute poor, who earn less than US$1.25 a day.
  Asia's decades-long march to prosperity, the ADB study said, was being led by seven economies with more than 3 billion people among them - China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia.
  Under the best-case scenario, Asia's combined GDP - also including poorer nations such as Laos and Pakistan - will rise from $17 trillion last year to $174 trillion in 2050, with per capita GDP of $40,800 in current terms.
  But for Asia's rise to be sustainable, the study warns, the diverse region must emulate the past successes of top performers Japan, South Korea and Singapore by promoting inclusive and equitable growth.
  "Asia is in the midst of a historic transformation," said the report, Asia 2050: Realising the Asian Century, commissioned by the Manila-based ADB and launched by president Haruhiko Kuroda in Tokyo.
  Mr Kuroda pointed out that developing Asia had led the way out of the global financial crisis and recession with a V-shaped recovery.
  "By nearly doubling its share of global gross domestic product to 52% by 2050, Asia would regain the dominant economic position it held some 300 years ago, before the industrial revolution," the report said.
  However, the study warned that Asia's rise is by no means inevitable.
  "Many see the ascendancy of Asia - or 'the Asian Century' - as being on autopilot, with the region gliding smoothly to its rightful place in destiny," wrote Mr Kuroda in a foreword to the report.
  "But complacency would be a mistake. While an Asian century is certainly plausible, it is not preordained."
  The report warned that emerging economies face the risk of being stuck in the "middle-income trap" as bursts of rapid growth, driven by export-based manufacturing, are followed by periods of stagnation or decline.
  It highlights other key challenges - rising inequality within and between countries, poor governance and corruption in many of them, and intensifying regional competition for finite natural resources.
  In the worst case, it warned, Asia could face "a perfect storm" of bad macroeconomic policies, unchecked financial sector exuberance, conflict, climate change, natural disasters, changing demography and weak governance.
  To make Asian growth sustainable, the study said, its countries must address poverty, equality of access and opportunity, and focus on education, entrepreneurship, innovation and technological development.
  Climate change is "a wild card for Asian development", warned the study, which stressed that Asia was already hit by more storms, floods and other natural disasters than any other region.
  Global warming threatens to melt the glaciers that run from the Himalayas and other mountain ranges to feed Asia's major rivers, which provide water, food, fish and power for 2.8 billion people, it said.
  "The anticipated affluence of some 3 billion additional Asians will put tremendous pressure on the earth's finite natural resources. "Out of self-interest, [Asia] will need to take the lead in radical energy efficiency and diversification programmes by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy," said Mr Kuroda.
  "How we handle vital resources such as water and food will determine whether we stay on the path of economic growth and development, or stumble into conflicts of scarcity." AFP

US President Barack Obama

Obama unfurls 11th-hour deal to avert US default

• Published: 1/08/2011 at 10:32 AM
• Online news: News
• US President Barack Obama announced that he and top lawmakers had reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a first-ever US debt payment default that would have sown chaos across the world economy.
  

  US President Barack Obama announced late Sunday that he and top lawmakers had reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a disastrous debt default that would have sown chaos in the world economy.
  "I want to announce that the leaders of both parties in both chambers have reached an agreement that will reduce the deficit and avoid default, a default that would have had a devastating effect on our economy," he said.
  With time running short before a midnight Tuesday (0400 GMT Wednesday) deadline, Obama warned "we're not done yet" and urged lawmakers "to do the right thing and support this deal with your votes over the next few days."
  Leaders of the Democratic-held Senate and Republican-led House of Representatives were working to rally polarized lawmakers behind the compromise, with critical votes expected as early as Monday.
  "To pass this settlement, we'll need the support of Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate. There is no way either party -- in either chamber -- can do this alone," said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
  "My hope would be to file it and have it on the floor as soon as possible," House Speaker John Boehner told fellow Republicans in a conference call, calling it a remedy to avert "a job-killing national default that none of us wanted."
  As described by Obama and congressional leaders, the deal would raise the country's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by about $2.4 trillion in two steps, while calling for roughly the same about in spending cuts over ten years.
  Asian markets immediately cheered news of the deal, with the dollar climbing against the yen in Tokyo, Australian shares surging 1.4 percent, and Japna's Nikkei 225 index climbing 1.7 percent on news of the breakthrough.
  The framework would fulfill one of the president's top goals: Raising cash-strapped Washington's ability to borrow by enough to avoid having another politically fraught debt battle before he faces reelection in November 2012.
  Republicans crowed that the framework did not explicitly call for raising tax revenues -- at least in the first wave of deficit cuts -- despite Obama's repeated calls for increasing revenues from the rich and wealthy corporations.
  The US government hit its debt limit on May 16 and has used spending and accounting adjustments, as well as higher-than-expected tax receipts, to continue operating normally -- but can only do so through August 2.
  Business and finance leaders have warned default would send crippling aftershocks through the fragile US economy, still wrestling with stubbornly high unemployment of 9.2 percent in the wake of the 2008 global meltdown.
  Without a deal, the US government would have to cut an estimated 40 cents out of every dollar it spends, forcing grim choices between defaulting or cutting back programs like those that help the poor, disabled and elderly.
  It was unclear whether the accord would be enough to placate ratings agencies that have warned Washington's sterling Triple-A debt rating was in jeopardy -- a downgrade that would lead to a paiful spike in interest rates.
  Obama trumpeted that the spending cuts would bring annual domestic government spending to the lower level in 60 years but promised they would not come so "abruptly" as to be a "drag" on the fragile US economy, still struggling with stalled growth and 9.2 percent unemployment in the wake of the 2008 meltdown.
  The agremeent faced opposition from conservative Republicans close to the "Tea Party" movement, who have called for draconian cuts, and from liberal Democrats who have vowed to protect the US social safety net.
  "The 'deal' he announced spends too much and doesn't cut enough," said Republican Representative and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. "Someone has to say no. I will."
  Democratic Representative Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, rejected the deal in a blistering statement declaring: "This deal is a cure as bad as the disease. I reject it."
  Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who planned to present the framework to her rank-and-file on Monday, said "we all agree that our nationa cannot default" but gave Obama's announcement a chilly welcome.
  "I look forward to reviewing the legislation with my Caucus to see what level of support we can provide," she said in a statement.
  The framework would initially raise the debt ceiling by about $900 billion,
  and tie a further $1.5 trillion increase to a special new US Congress committee charged with finding an equivalent amount of deficit-reduction over 10 years.
  The panel would have 12 members, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, and would be tasked with reporting back by late November in order to hold votes by late December on its proposals.
  A committee deadlock would trigger automatic spending cuts designed to be "unacceptable" to both Democrats and Republicans.

Flashy compacts

Flashy compacts

The Chevrolet Cruze and Mazda 3 stand out in their class with all-new packages for 2011, distinct styling and lavish specs. So which is the way to go?

• Published: 1/08/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section:

One million baht C-segment family cars in the Toyota Corolla class are just like traditional home-cooked food, not the staple for the masses.

Apart from being some 300,000 baht dearer than their entry-level 1.6-litre siblings _ naturally more sensible options for the average Joe _ the range-topping 2.0-litre variants ask for nearly as much, their price tagged on baseline D-segment saloons like the Toyota Camry.
And for those still caught up in the SUV fad, a six-figure cheque can get you a Honda CR-V or, better even, a tax-privy Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with loads of metal and seven seats.
However, if you find big cars old-fashioned, then downsizing to C-segment saloons _ with generous spec and performance as those 2.0s are offering _ may sound a reasonable option.

You would even want to be a little more different from the crowd by settling for a five-door hatchback like the Mazda 3, or opt for the eco-friendly Toyota Prius hybrid, or Ford Focus diesel.
But how can one be different in a Mazda 3 or Chevrolet Cruze with traditional saloon body and petrol power?
That sounds like a small market which car companies won't necessarily deny, but the hard fact is that there are buyers in Thailand who still have traditional palates even when the 3 has a hatch option and Cruze a diesel alternative to choose from.
That's why Life has summoned the 3 and Cruze together on these pages this week. They are the freshest arrivals at the moment. Being all-new this year also means a lot to buyers who may want to deflect from the Honda and Toyota crowd.
It may also be coincidence that the 3 and Cruze both happen to have very distinctively styled exterior and interior designs. The Mazda sticks with its fluid and wavy theme, while the Optra-replacing Cruze goes bold with a prominent nose and chunky rear end.

The Cruze’s fascia is flashier, but there’s no faulting the Mazda’s.

This pair stands out even more in-class with their cabins. While the Cruze's looks flashier and more daring, the 3's is slightly more submissive.
But being meeker in appearance doesn't necessarily mean that there are no upsides. In fact, if you take usability into consideration, the Mazda's interior strikes a better balance between form and function.
And when it comes to perceived quality, the 3 takes the upperhand with its higher grade plastics _ at least from what you see or can feel with your fingers.
Since we're talking about range-toppers here, the amount of gadgets thrown into the cars help make them almost "complete" for a Thai C-segment saloon.
It's only the details that separate the two. While the 3 highlights sunroof, steering-mounted paddle-shifters and multi-function display, the Cruze goes for cruise control and side airbags for the front occupants instead.
The packages of both cars are relatively the same, if you don't delve into the exact specifications on paper.

The rear occupants, for instance, will find similar amounts of head and legroom (both have three three-point seatbelts, three head restraints and centre armrest with cupholders integrated into it).
Those backrests at the rear in both cars can also fold to accommodate larger things in the boot, but the Cruze seems capable of swallowing larger items with more ease.
The driving position in the Cruze is also airier than in the 3, which suffers from a too-protruding left footwell.
Even so, the feeling behind the wheel of the 3 exudes sportiness in a tidy manner; the Cruze tries a bit too hard to look distinctive with whacky lines and colours.
To traditionalists, comparing cars with different engine sizes may not seem fair outright. But the Cruze is only 66,000 baht cheaper and its engine is nearly as big and powerful as the 3 (apparently explaining the 3's loftier positioning in the segment).

On the move, those on-paper stats are seemingly confirmed. Under most circumstances, the 3's 147hp 2.0-litre engine feels punchier, more eager and more willing to rev _ if not great by class standards.
This obviously means that the Cruze is a very average performer in this segment. Against the 3, the Cruze's 141hp 1.8-litre motor feels lazier, lacks breath in the mid-ranges and wants to move the gear up rather than the tacho needle.
And despite having a six-speed automatic to its advantage over the 3's five-speeder, the Cruze isn't any economical. The difference in the manufacturers' claims seems to be credible enough after a spin with the two cars from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (our figures were basically a notch lower than the claims).
By having better performance and economy at the same time, it could be said that the 3 has a better engineered drivetrain.
More differences emerge when you take the chassis into consideration. Although both cars have a tendency to highlight handling over ride comfort, the Cruze's steering and suspension appear more relaxed.

They are very similar to sit in the back.

Although the 3 evolved from the previous model with more comfort in mind, it still feels substantially sporty in the presence of the Cruze with a more precise rack and a dose more of grip.
But one letdown in the 3 is the low-profile tyres rimming the 17-inch wheels which make the ride noisy and harsh. Surprisingly, the Cruze also rides on the same running gear but doesn't seem to suffer its rival's ailments.
You could easily conclude the Cruze is for those needing comfort, or some virtues of D-segment cars when downsizing in the process. The 3, meanwhile, would attract sporty minds needing to stand out in a market filled with uninspiring cars to drive.
To put it in another way, the Chevy is more mature with its more restrained performance and relaxed driving manners, while the Mazda offers the more responsive drive for the younger set of buyers.
It would be very difficult for us to pick a winner, not because they are so similar to each other but for the fact that their execution is quite different.

Mazda has harsher ride.