students craft giant animal sculptures from straw for thailand biennale korat 2020

as part of the 2020 edition of thailand’s contemporary art biennale, which is being held in the city of korat, the rajamangala university of technology isan hosts the korat straw puppet festival. artisans and students from a variety of schools around the country have come together to showcase the craft of sculpture, using straw as the main building material. on display in the university campus, the series of figurines include larger-than-life animals and mythical creatures. 

all images courtesy of rajamangala university of technology isan

the aim of the festival is to provide an opportunity for students and local residents alike to learn about how straw can be used to make contemporary art-forms. as a relatively sustainable building material, the impressive forms convey the versatility and structural strength of straw. the students and artisans have shaped the natural substance into intricate shapes to realize a series of creatures, including cats, an iguana and a flying pig. 

the sculptures have drawn crowds and tourists from across the country, with the university reporting that 10,000 people have already visited the festival since it opened in early september 2019. constructed as a new landmark of korat, these straw figures are currently on display within the grounds of the university as part of the build-up for the thailand biennale korat 2020, which will be held between december 2020 to march 2021 in the nakhon ratchasima area.

project info:

name: korat straw puppet festival

location: nong rawieng center, rajamangala university of technology isan, thailand

installation by: rajamangala university of technology isan