Although the 2023 Degree Conferral Ceremony on December 18-19, 2023, has ended, people still talk about their impression in the beautiful decoration of the ceremonial place. This differs from one year to another, and covers the front part where Her Royal Highness the Princess, who presides over the ceremony, is seated, the Private Room for Her Royal Highness, the VIP Room, and different areas in the Golden Jubilee Convention Center including two entrances. These places were decorated with beautiful and magnificent design items.
Asst. Prof. Burin Plengdeesakul, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Kaen University and the Chairman of the Decoration Committee related about the concept in the design of the place this year. The concept is from the relationship among Thailand, China, and Isan. Khon Kaen University is comparable to the intellect of Isan. Research of information showed that Isan is prosperous in society, economy, lifestyle, and culture, that are also multiple. More importantly, there is the distribution of Chinese Thai who migrated to settle down in Isan. From art and cultural evidence, central Thai arts were brought into the area, with the influence of Chinese art that became mixed with the indigenous art of Isan until the specific identity of Isan art.
Asst. Prof. Preechawut Apirating, Ph.D., from the Department of Visual Art and Communication Art Design of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, one of the creative design team members for the decoration of the Degree Conferral Ceremony venue this year added that from the empirical evidences of art works including religious buildings, sim, Triple-Gem hall, etc. are from harmonious integration of cultures of Thai, Isan and China that reflect beautiful art works.
Asst. Prof. Burin Plengdeesakul, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts added that the decoration of the Degree Conferral Ceremony venue this year was divided into 3 parts with 3 meanings:
Part One: The Foyer or the welcoming hall at the entrance. The concept is for relating the story of Khon Kaen University, so there should be a ‘Busabok’ or ‘Mondop’, which is used as the throne of a King or Buddha Statue. This concept was used in the design and the Thai and Chinese characteristics were based on. Phra That Panom was positioned here as it is the emblem of Khon Kaen University and also coveys the meaning of fertility and wisdom of Khon Kaen University.
Part Two; The Stage – Here the patterns of Prajae Jeen and the patterns of Thai and Chinese porcelain were mixed in the new design, with new decorations on the stage. For the HRH’s seat, the auspicious animals of China were used in the decoration following the belief that these animals enhance the merit of a king or a great emperor.
Part 3: The Private Room for HRH – the concept Chinese satin that came through Me Kong was used in the design of the room.
All of the work demonstrated the identity of Khon Kaen University that mixes the context of the relationship among Thailand, China and Isan. With the philosophical concept and the conveyance of the meaning through the design and decoration, the place became magnificently beautiful, graceful and in harmony. All who saw the place could feel the values of the items that were created with pride.
News: Benjamaporn Mamook
Photos: Boriphat Thaisi, Communications Division / Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts / Preedee Sritrakoon, Student Development Division