Nuch's Dad's Mix Magazine Article

This is probably the only time I'll ever be able to post a picture of a pantless model on my blog, so I'm going to take advantage of it.

Above is a picture of Noon (Woranuch) on the cover of Mix Magazine, a new GQ meets Maxim-like publication in Thailand. Noon is one of my favorite actresses in Thailand. She also happens to actually have some genuine acting skills, which is a unique quality among most of Thailand's model turned thespians. Her movie, Cheum, with 'Mom' (a Thai comedian) is one of only two Thai movies that I've been able to watch more than once.

Besides putting attractive women on the cover to increase sales, Mix also interviews a prominent Thai artist each month to maintain a certain respectability. For the February issue, they interviewed Nuch's father, Manit Poo-Aree, who was named a Thailand National Artist back in 1999.

It seems like once every couple months a magazine or television program comes by the house for an interview or article. This is the first time, I've seen the results. Below on the left is a self-portrait (which looks nothing like him, if you ask me). On the top right, is a painting called "Development of the Apple", which is one of his more famous works and always mentioned when discussing his past works.

Here's a link to some of his abstract works - I believe they're paintings of Auras - I'm curious who this is below. (click here and then, on the web page click this painting).

The Mix article basically talked about Nuch's father's background, how his career began, where he studied and where his art has been exhibited. It also described his home, his garden (they did not mention the plastic bottles), and his works of art that fill the living room.

Some of the more interesting topics dealt with recent issues in the Thai art world - one in particular concerned a painting that was not very complimentary of Thai monks, but had won a national award.

I'm not sure if this is the actual painting, but it's by the same artist.

Nuch's father, whose art is filled with (positive) religious symbolism, was critical of the contest's judges who, as he says, should have used better judgment. Not because the painting was offensive or negative towards the monkhood, but because it's message was not conveyed artistically enough. Fine Art's beauty, unlike graffiti on the side of a train, is in its subtlety - the viewer should be made to think, and the work of art's message should be discovered not read like a headline on the front page of a newspaper - at least that's what I got out of an hour-long explanation in a foreign language.

As I mentioned, this is a relatively new magazine - February being the 15th issue. I'm not sure how long it will last, as there are dozens of magazines competing in this particular niche. That being said, if Mix can continue to fill its pages with insights into the minds of Thailand's past and current cultural figureheads combined with intellectuals like the girl on the opposite page, they may have a chance.