ELEVATIONS LAOS is a non-profit contemporary art initiative aiming to support and stimulate mobility and exchange in Laos amongst artists and publics in Southeast Asia and beyond. It launches with an inaugural exhibition in Vientiane entitled Depths (9 Nov - 16 Jan), which coincides with and is inspired by the first-ever inclusion of artists who live and work in Laos in the Asia Pacific Triennial (9^th) in Brisbane, Australia, namely: Tcheu Siong (Hmong/Laos), Bounpaul Phothyzan (Laos), and Souliya Phoumivong (Laos). A public programme of activities takes place during the exhibition period in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

The EXHIBITION’s three chapters – Others, Lands, Selves – are rooted in the three APT artists’ practices, which grow in dialogue alongside their colleagues in and from the Southeast Asian region. Artists exhibiting  come from Lao PDR, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Viet Nam and Myanmar.

The ongoing programme for ELEVATIONS LAOS comprises two main elements:

During even years, ELEVATIONS LAOS | EXHIBITION focuses on artists in or from the Southeast Asian region, inspiring a SYMPOSIUM and PUBLIC PROGRAM.

During odd years, the ELEVATIONS LAOS | ART PRIZE will encourage emerging artists of all ages and ethnicities holding Lao citizenship to apply. An esteemed jury will award finalists and a prizewinner for an awards exhibition.

The first ELEVATIONS LAOS | ART PRIZE will be launched in 2019.

ELEVATIONS LAOS | PUBLIC PROGRAMS aim to animate the exhibition through a range of events to happen throughout the exhibition period (November 9, 2018 - January 16, 2019) in both Vientiane and Luang Prabang. From a city tour to a symposium, from film screenings to discussions, from hands-on art classes and workshops to our ELEVATIONS LAOS | READING ROOM and regular exhibition walk throughs – there will be something for everyone. Check out the programs already planned below, which we'll be posting individually in detail. All programs are free.