Chiang Mai Design District
Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2019
Opdrachtgevers
Chiang Mai City of Crafts and Folk Art, Citylife, Akha Ama
TCDC Chiang Mai
Partners
Agenda
Documenting local culture & living heritage in Chiang Mai Old City
Thailand Creative & Design Centre brought together 20 residents of Chiang Mai old city. Passionate young creatives and local shop owners found each other identified in an urgent need to document culture and heritage of lesser-known communities in the old city. In a 3-day intensive workshop they jointly mapped 26 cultural sites. Small local businesses contributed to the workshop (accommodation & drinks) which brought together people from different generations. Participants learnt about the history of the lesser-known Muen Ngeon Kong community and learned to look at their own city from a new perspective.
“Under a big tree, a young hip crowd listening to their elders, hanging on to every word. An evening to never forget!”
- Tiffany Tang, project manager
The sites were documented on an illustrated map and in a digital heritage trail that were showcased at the Chiang Mai Design Week 2017, along with a sharing session about the Muen Ngeon Kong neighbourhood with the workshop participant. The map, illustrated by local artist Roong Tsupatcha won the Chiang Mai Design Award for socially responsible graphic design! Through this mapping and storytelling project, local community members felt more proud of their culture and heritage. The mapping exercise strengthened their sense of pride and belonging to the community.
“This map is 100% community curated, for the community and by the community.”
- Khun Suwaree
