Suwan Laimanee
In 1996, Suwan Laimanee brought Thai massage into an art context in conjunction with Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Progetto Arte – “Habitus, Abito, Abitare”, when he massaged visitors throughout the entire four-month period of the Biennale di Firenze. He declared his craft to be his art.
In 2006, he started his workshop series “Become a Thai Masseur – Within One Week” as his contribution to Temporary Museum Soi Sabai at the Rajata Art House in Thailand. The invitation of Rirkrit Tiravanija to the Land Foundation in Chiang Mai was followed by numerous workshops worldwide.
Suwan Laimanee’s art practice is founded upon the 2,500-year-old yoga-based Thai medical massage system. It is a Thai tradition of healing massage rooted in Indian philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and Buddhist spiritual practice. Thai massage is a combination of mind and body therapy, incorporating Hatha yoga, acupressure points, reflexology, meditation, and healing art.
EDUCATION
Academy of Fine Arts, Sculpture
Vienna, Austria
JURY
Franz Graf
Boris Groys
Zvi Hecker
Egidio Marzona
Peter Noever
FINAL PROJECT
