Looking back over the last two years since the COVID-19 outbreak began, it is obvious that ‘musicians’ have been one of the most affected professions due to the cancellation of all social events and live performances, their main source of income like restaurants and bars have to close down. This led to the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) initiating the “CEA VACCINE” project to help these creative professions as well as others who were affected by the pandemic. “Sound of Charoenkrung” is an extension project that aims to help drive the music industry by providing a platform for musicians to present their work both online and onsite.

City Inspired Music

This fun project started by recruiting singers, songwriters, and musicians to brainstorm ideas under the theme that reflects the inspiration from the city, architecture, culture, or anything, with no limitations. The first district chosen is “Charoenkrung”, Bangkok’s original creative district, surrounded by historical landmarks that are rich with histories and stories such as 22 July Roundabout, Grand Postal Building, Prince Theatre, Sampheng, Sieng Kong environment in Talad Noi, Chinatown, Song Wat road, Nana alleyway, and many more.

The project’s 25 artists have expressed the stories of these places through a variety of songs; songs that will make you smile with nostalgia, songs that help you learn about the city on a deeper level, and songs that open up the imagination that makes you want to visit the lively district.

From Sound to Light, the New Sightseeing Route

After the music about the district has been completed, the next step in the project is to connect the people to the district through music. The sound of music alone may only attract a handful of people, so the 25 pieces of music are interpreted to create lighting installation as well, by the team of experiential and lighting professional designers Live4Viva. The installations are exhibited in the area of Charoenkrung district, becoming a new sightseeing route that stimulates liveliness and revives the district economy as well.

Those who are interested to hear ‘The Sound of Charoenkrung’ and seeing the interactive lighting installation can visit these 4 spots.

1.  The Pulse: on the wall of the Holy Rosary Church

The light and sound represent the lively pulses of life in the Holy Rosary Church community and at the same time the calm and collectedness. As the Holy Rosary Church is the pillar of the community, the incorporation of the sound of church bells, singing, motorcycles, and people commute reflected its role within the community very well.

2. The Bulletin: front of Xīn Zhōng Yuán Printing House 

The combination of traditional and digital media in the design represents today’s social environment. There is the Old in the New, similarly this piece at the Printing House, behind the display of tradition there is technology underneath the pile of newspapers. The keeping up to the news nature is presented by the display of digital news hot into print to the Chinese speaking community.

3. Floating Lanterns : Talad Noi Community Museum at Bhanurangsri Pier

The floating up and down lanterns are inspired by the red Chinese lanterns decorated at homes and businesses, taking its moving rhythm to give out blessings and wishes.

4. The Gateway: Si Phraya Express Boat Pier

The light design through the use of reflecting lights used on water commute for boats around Chao Praya river, the convenient connections that led to a successful and bustling place of business exchanges and culture. By exhibiting the modern movement of light and colours to celebrate the area’s history and open up doors to exchanges with the outside since pre-modern time.

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Listen to all the songs of the Sound of Charoenkrung playlist at shorturl.at/luDIK

Creative Sightseeing Connects the Community

From CEA initiation to the development by musicians and into a new sightseeing route through light art installation from Live4Viva, another resource that cannot be forgotten is the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). To create “Creative Sightseeing” that other than impressive experience, connections and knowledge about the local area has been established through local art, cultural heritage, and each area’s uniqueness as well as its people, who are the host and part 

of the creative and bustling area. 

Enjoy the music that expresses stories of the district while appreciating the interactive lighting installation with the songs from the Sound of Charoenkrung on 5-13 February 2022 at 18.00-22.00