Same Same But Different

Thai people may not doubt upon hearing the phrase “Same same but different”. “Yeah… it’s the same thing. But it’s also different”. We try so many times to explain the difference but sometimes we cannot explain how it is different nor define it.

It is the awkwardness of the addresser and the addressee, especially foreigners’ ambiguity mixed with hilarity. Any visitor to Thailand may be familiar with the phrase “Same same but different” from a conversation, be it at a restaurant, flea market, in a shop, or on a street. What is special about “Same same but different” is that Thai people can apply it in almost any context of communications: politics, relationship, education, entertainment, and even in daily life. This phrase may sound so connected to the Thai people because of its manner of speaking, ambiguousness, indecisiveness, and considerate tone.

Though this phrase cannot show the limitation of a language and an expression of opinion, it can be related to the design of expression, suggesting that in essence Thai people are all the same, yet so different.

Same Same but Different focuses on Life Matter by communicating Thai people’s attitude towards society, art, culture, and belief through the eyes of theatre practitioners, artists, designers, and art enthusiasts together with communities, interpreting events or aspects in everyday life that drive a society, encourage a smile, or raise a topic that makes an artist question the past, present and future.

When life is a collective experience and performing art is an art that concerns other people’s problem, a shared space installation is a form of exhibition in Thailand that explores the human and space by artists and designers sharing space, reflecting on events in Thailand and its people’s trends.

Country/Region Thailand

Curator Nattaporn Thapparat

Curatorial Team Nicha Kiatfuengfoo, Papon Tanuphut, Pafun Rachatasakul

Artists Nikorn Saetang, Nattaporn Thapparat, Nophand Boonyai, Pornpan Arayaveerasid, Pattarasuda Anuman Rajadhon, Dujdao Vadhanapakorn, Damkerng Thitapiyasak, Nuttakom Chamyen, Sineenadh Keitprapai, Ornanong Thaisriwong