“Giving Life” at Dib Bangkok: exhibition of 160+ works by 33 artists, centered on Alexander Calder

The Dib Bangkok museum in Thailand opened today (September 26, 2026) its second major exhibition, “Giving Life” (ชีวิต ชีวา, pronounced “chiwit chiwa”), which will remain open until May 3, 2027. Curated by Ariana Chaivaranon, the exhibition brings together over 160 works by 33 Thai and international artists.

At the center of the exhibition are the works of American master Alexander Calder (1898–1976), placed in dialogue with contemporary artists such as Izumi Kato, Caitlin Keogh, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Tobias Rehberger, Yukinori Yanagi, Rachel Youn, Cecilia Vicuña, Paul Chan, Kei Imazu and Ryan Gander, as well as Thai artists such as Rirkrit Tiravanija, Sutee Kunavichayanont, Vasan Sitthiket and Surasi Kusolwong.

The exhibition marks 50 years since Calder’s death and includes archival material from his “Calder’s Circus” show in Bangkok in 1975 — Calder’s first presentation in Thailand, which coincided with the return from abroad of a generation of Thai artists and with the “art for life” movement.

Among the highlights is Sutee Kunavichayanont’s interactive work, “Elephant (Breath Donation)” (1998–2001): a latex elephant skin that visitors inflate themselves.

Dib Bangkok opened its doors in December 2025; its first exhibition, “(In)visible Presence,” launched the museum’s mission to rewrite Thai art history in dialogue with international art, as Koktail Magazine reports.