There are some things that simply marvel the eye because they are hard to escape. That is the case of the Bangkok Light of Happiness exhibition that was presented this past December. On the thirtieth of the month, a wonderful display of over five million illuminated and colourful light bulbs was inaugurated by the mayor of the capital in Lan Khon Muang, the large location in front of the City Hall’s offices on the Din So Road. With this move, the parade is meant to represent the provision of illumination and joy for the inauguration of the coming year. The greatest wishes for Bangkokians’ success throughout 2016 are said to be exposed on these lights, which will shine bright until the coming thirty first of January.
There were large crowds attracted by this display, which granted people the opportunity to formulate and express their hopes for the coming three hundred and sixty five days. The HOT Magazine crew had a chance to listen to a few resolutions that the visitors spoke of with news outlets: “I would like to be like Batman, because he is loyal and moral” was one of the more extravagant but hopeful and good hearted answers when asked by the press. But others were full of expectation too: “I would like to be like Lady Gaga, because she’s unique and nobody can copy her”. Others wished for more achievable feats such as being cultural representatives of Bangkok in order to provide citizens with glee and delight, similar to that brought to everybody by this light display.
The spectacular site, which was given a thirty nine million baht budget, bears a number of fantastic light patterns of different shapes and sizes, structures of overarching light tunnels and multi-chromatic designs which grant a truly marvellous glittering spectacle. It is recommended not to attend if you suffer from epilepsy however, as flickering and flashing is part of the extravagant set up. This was especially the case on the night after it opened, which was that of New Year’s Eve. A wonderful gathering of people witnessed not only a complete light show of flickering bulbs and neon lights, but a fantastic display of cracking fireworks which illuminated the night sky and transitioned the last evening of 2015 to the first early morning of the New Year 2016. There were smiles and festivities amongst the vast attending crowd and that truly inaugurated the month long exhibition.
There is currently a contest of pictures that is being held in regard to the event, for which there will be three prizes awarded. The third placed picture will be awarded with twenty thousand baht, whilst the second placed picture will take up fifty thousand. The winner of the contest will be awarded a whopping one hundred thousand baht, something which like the other contests, are due to attract a large quantity of avid photography fans to the event.
The Bangkok Light of Happiness is a fantastic display of art which will fascinate any attendee that goes to see it. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out!