There are plenty of galleries in Chiang Rai, however, most of them are located quite far from one another and it’s impossible to visit them all in one day. It’s therefore recommended to decide which galleries to visit and choose a route carefully. It is also important to remember that for most Lanna art, much of the inspiration comes from Buddhism.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts to bear in mind when visiting an art gallery.
- Aesthetic Rule: Do not touch any piece of the exhibited work as some of them may be fragile and may be damaged by being touched. Some art pieces take a very long time to complete, with great devotion and effort by the artist. It is necessary to keep this in mind and try not to do anything that may cause damage to the work.
- Silence: Sometimes, it takes time to appreciate and understand each piece of art. Concentration and silence are needed. So try to make as little noise as possible to avoid disturbing the others.
- Research: Doing some research about the artists and their work beforehand will give you a greater appreciation for an exhibition when you visit a gallery.
- Dress code: Since the exhibitions include Buddhist-related art, it is important to be dressed properly and not too casually or indecently. Covering up will also protect you from the hot sun in Chiang Rai.
- It is recommended to call before visiting galleries, as some are closed on different days and may have different opening hours.
