Sentient Being, Virtual World: Revelations in Digital Ethnographies is an immersive exhibition exploring the convergence of art and technology for learning and appreciation of Thai culture, traditions, history and heritage. Presented in Singapore for the first time, the exhibition brings Southeast Asian mythology and history to life through a suite of 5 virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR) experiences, an online game and traditional media such as sculpture, prints and objects.
The exhibition features seminal works by two Thai artists, Ajarn Atithep Chaetnalao and Ajarn Gomesh Karnchanapayap from the Faculty of Decorative Arts in Silpakorn University in Thailand. Both educators and digital technologists, they use VR as an artistic medium for introspection and inspection.
Ajarn Gomesh’s three works – Thai Talisman, Cube of Enlightenment and Bliss: A Path to Nirvana explore the themes of Thai spirituality through talismans, Buddha’s enlightenment and temptation in deeply visual representation of lust, desire and envy. His work on King Rama IX, originally created as a desktop virtual exhibition, in VR, the presentation becomes an even more immersive tribute honouring the late Thai King Bumibol Adulyadej.
Using a historical lens for his exploration, Ajarn Atithep honours the enduring legacy of Suan Sunandha through his interpretation of the famed purple flower, Kaew Chao Chom. First planted in the historical royal garden named after the King Rama V's beloved Queen Sunandha Kumareerattana, this historical garden now serves as the campus grounds of the Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, which uses this flower as their official symbol. As visitors encounter the mixed reality experience created by the artist, they are immersed in the virtual garden surrounded by flowers, trees, birds and soothing sounds. Beyond the virtual, intricately 3D printed flowers, small drawings and scent boxes, fragrance replicated from the Kaew Chao Chom draw visitors back to the physical, engaging them in sight and smells of a bygone era.
Broadening his artistic vision in creating an educational and fun experience, Ajarn Gomesh’s brainchild Seeking Chimera: Myths in Southeast Asia, is an online interactive game jointly developed with ISEAA, Cyberrex Design and hosted on the UOB World platform launched at the UOB-NAFA Southeast Asian Arts Forum 2025. The game features three mythical creatures from Southeast Asian folklore: the Garuda, Naga and Kinnari. Players interact with the characters, complete levels and collect parts to unlock the “Chimera” stage. 3 sculptures of the main characters were created for the exhibition, allowing visitors to marvel at them and reflect on the allegories of historical dilemmas in the past and of modern times.
Together, the works by both Ajarn Gomesh and Ajarn Atithep present to us the possibilities of technological advancements that can make culture more accessible and approachable, highlighting the potential of technology as a means to facilitate conversations and engagement.
