Kissing in a movie theater is child’s play. But what about doing it where people can see? Inspired by Bangkok’s historic Scala cinema, local performance artist Nana Dakin of B-Floor Theater is setting up a Kissing Booth at the Live at the Scala art event.
“I was trying to think about what makes the cinema a special place and what’s fun about the experience of going to the movies,” says Nana. “I think one of the things that makes the cinema special is that it’s a cool, dark, refuge where kissing can happen. This made me think about kissing in public in Thailand, which is still considered vulgar and inappropriate.”
Nana’s “Kissing Booth” at the Scala is an invitation for Thais and other visitors to try kissing in public. A person who enters the booth can decide how they want to be kissed by the performer. Don’t worry if you’re not prepared to kiss a total stranger. There will be various kissing “aids” available: mouthwash, chapstick, lipstick, a shot glass of whiskey and an iPod with music that can be selected as background for the kiss.
There are two other performers who will take turns being the “kisser” in the booth – Adam Eliot and Sasapin Siriwanij.
Nana explains what her goals are for the Kissing Booth, besides not contracting the flu (or worse!). “I’m curious about what it means for people to kiss in public,” she says. “It’s a simple act, but it is charged with questions about displaying intimacy in public. What makes people comfortable or uncomfortable about it? And given this chance, will they be prepared to try it, or will they ignore the booth and shun it? Will they take photos or video of other people’s kisses?
“For me, kissing in public is not a big deal, but I can understand why others find it inappropriate. At the end of the day, whether people choose to try it, or to simply stand by and watch, they will hopefully be questioning themselves about how they feel about it.”
Live at the Scala is a UK-produced performance event presented by the British Council Thailand. It’s a micro-festival of live performances, videos and art installations featuring artists from the UK together with artists from Thailand who will explore art, live performance, cinema and cinema-building in the unique setting of the Scala.
Performances include both highly acclaimed works that have toured the world and some completely new pieces made in response to the Scala building itself.
Live at the Scala
DATES: Feb. 7 – 9
TIME: 19:00 (doors open at 18:30) to 21:30 (approx.)
VENUE: The Scala Cinema, Siam Square, Bangkok
TICKETS: 100THB. Available from the Scala
Advance bookings can be made via email at arts@britishcouncil.or.th and tickets can be collected at the door at 18:30 on the event date.
For further enquiries, please call 02 657 5678.
