Part 1.
In the first part of our talk with Aung Myat Htay, he shared his artistic approach to art and curating, which was defined by the political changes in Myanmar from 2015 until today.
He shared with us the freedom of expression he found in contemporary art. How he brought it to Myanmar by writing books about contemporary art, DVD Magazine, and public art events, collaborating with Aura Project Japan, and he founded the SOCA alternative art learning program.
In this talk, he explains what was happening with his art and curatorial work at the time of Covid and what developed from that, his latest solo exhibitions this year at Osaka Kansai International Art Festival and YAU Studio, Tokyo.
At the end of part 1, Aung tells us about his new upcoming works and projects as an artist and curator.
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Introduction
00:00 – 00:54
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Chapter 1.
*00:54 – 11:12
The artistic approach to art and curating
Artistic development process
– Books, Political change
– Yangon-art-heritage-festival,
– Aura project, DVD Magazine
– SOCA project
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Chapter 2.
*11:13 – 26:01
The effect of the Pandemic on the works & process of Aung Myat Htay, until today
– The way we live project, SOCA project
– Touching the ground
– Osaka Kansai International Art Festival
– YAU Studio, Tokyo
New upcoming works and projects
*26:02- 28:26
– New project
– SOCA project
– AMCA – Association for Myanmar Contemporary Arts
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Aung Myat Htay is an Artist, and an independent curator, the founder of SOCA alternative art learning program, and also known as a writer and curator in the Myanmar art community.
He works in diverse and experimental art, using different materials and new media, responding to nature, and combining social messages in a contemporary sense with traditional forms.
Working as an art lecturer, he explores the potential of freedom of expression in contemporary art. He expresses social messages with combines a contemporary sense with traditional forms.
He lives and works in Yangon and working in Myanmar and Asia.
Aung was born in 1973 in Mandalay, Myanmar,
Aung has been practicing bronze sculpture, assisting his father since he was young.
He studied art education at the state-run Fine Art school and graduated in BFA at the University of Art & Culture in Yangon.
Research and further learning by international residencies in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Recent solo exhibitions include: Consciousness of Realities (2019, Myanm/art Gallery Space, Yangon, Myanmar), Dining-Room Opera (2014, Rooster Gallery, New York, NY), Calling Memory (2012, Koganecho Bazaar Art Festival, Yokohama, Japan).
Recent group exhibitions include “Land of Ghosts” (2022, REBORN Art Festival, Japan), LOOK STRANGER! (2019, Serendipity Art Festival, Goa, India), My Yangon My Home (2017, Yangon Art and Heritage Festiva), Silent for a while (2016, 10Chancery Lane Gallery, Hong Kong), Gwangju Biennale (2013, S. Korea).
Photos: © Aung Myat Htay, Talk No.9, part 1,2: Aung Myat Htay – Touching the Ground, Amit Goffer Studio, 2023