User:Papayapancake/sandbox

= ComPeung is the 1st independent Artist-in-residence program in Thailand, and also the longest ongoing program since 2007. They have hosted over 100 artists in a wide variety of disciplines from around the world. = ComPeung is located near the village of Doi Saket, which is a short distance from Northern Thailand’s largest city Chiang Mai. In the Lanna language of the Northern Thais, com means a remark and peung means appropriate. In bringing these two words together, the Northern Thai artist Pisithpong Siraphisut was able to appropriately name the artist residency programme he founded: ComPeung (คำเปิง). As Siraphisut elaborated, “Our vision and mission for ComPeung is to create appropriate remarks that are suitable to the situations, environments, and communities we deal with.”

They define the residency an evolving art project and encourage artists to explore and discover – not only new ideas, techniques, and networks, but also themselves as human beings though the process of creative activities and everyday living. They aims to be an open space for dialogues, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiments, and exploring the interdependence between art, artists and society.

The residency is crafted for artists who need time away from regular commitments to finish current projects, to reflect on their practice, or to explore and develop new works. In an unregimented and relaxed atmosphere, artists have the freedom to focus on their work without having to worry about daily routines such as preparing meals. The team hopes that by living and working together in a tranquil setting with their team members, the local community, and a small diverse group of artists, people will be inspired and challenged to explore possibilities and dreams.

Unlike most artist residencies, they also offer genuine hospitality with fresh daily produce from the local market for delicious home-cooked meals by their staff, assistance where needed, and provides all the necessities for living in a semi-rural, tropical area.

History
The project is founded by a Northern Thai artist, Pisithpong Siraphisut, who sees the project as a playground or an oasis for like-minded, creative people. In 2005, when Siraphisut found the site of ComPeung, it was just an empty piece of land with nothing – just like an empty canvas. Siraphisut planted the trees, built the houses, and installed the physical infrastructure (such as water, electricity, road) with the help of local people and friends. Two years later, after he had developed the concept and transformed it to reality, ComPeung hosted the first artist in its residency programme in January 2007.

At that time, Siraphisut realized that Thailand needed an alternative space where artists and creative people could play and experiment. Artist-in-residence programmes were always linked with big governmental institutions (universities, museums and galleries) which require a headache process of application and are limited to small groups of people. So, with ComPeung, they wanted to offer something as inclusive as possible to those who are serious about their work.

Growing up in the area, Siraphisut has seen how the landscape has changed in the face of urbanisation over the years. As more and more young people leave small villages like Doi Saket for opportunities in big cities like Bangkok, the vitality of where they come from has depleted. In response, Siraphisut established ComPeung to revitalise these rural areas that would otherwise remain in the side-lines, relative to the urban attractions of nearby Chiang Mai. On a green plot of land, he created a nesting ground for rich artistic interventions that now provides greater visibility and appreciation for local culture and nature.