Visions of a nation : public monuments in twentieth-century Thailand

Abstract

To trace how public monuments have functioned in both the political spectrum and national history in the twentieth century as they have been the images of the Thai nation. Public monuments, indeed, are essential in defining the modern art of Thailand. They have been the living witnesses of artistic achievements and political movements in Thai society. Not only are the monumental images visual manifestations of the state ideology, but more importantly, they also serve as the "visions" of their times, as they reinterpret history and revive culture. This study, hence, examines how Thai artists use scale, style, and symbol to produce political effect on one hand and create works of beauty on the other. Grouping some of the most well known public monuments into different "visions"-absolute monarchy, modern nationalism, traditionalism, and diversity, this thesis explores both how the public monuments intertwine into and interpret the concept of Thai nationhood and their changing roles in the development of Thai society in the last century