Thai Pavilion hosts demonstration, tile signing

The gold leaf painters who are among the group of Thai artisans reassembling the Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Gardens will demonstrate their art this Saturday, Sept. 22.

The free public event, 9-11 a.m. will be at the pavilion site on the south side of Starkweather Creek next to the Olbrich Park boat landing on Atwood Avenue.

Chief gold leaf painter Iang Phinyosunan, along with painters Thiwa Bungsri and Sema Sukkasemsamran, will conduct the demonstration. Robert Bickner, University of Wisconsin–Madison professor of languages and cultures of Asia, will act as translator and answer questions about the significance of the gold leaf painting.

In the afternoon and again Sunday morning, visitors may sign their names on the backs of the tiles that will cover the roof of the pavilion The tile signing will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-noon Sunday. Students from schools in the Olbrich area are encouraged to take part and learn more about the pavilion that will become part of their neighborhood.

“A roof is a symbol of safety and protection. In the wake of the death and destruction that occurred in our nation last week, this will be a unique opportunity for the community to unite and make a lasting contribution to the pavilion. It’s a way to demonstrate our commitment to the values of international friendship and peace, which form the foundation of this building,” says Kim Santiago, director of international relations for the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

“Everyone is encouraged to write a message on the back of a tile, which will then become a permanent part of the structure,” says Santiago.

The pavilion was first assembled in Thailand, then taken apart and shipped to the United States in late July. The artisans arrived in Madison Sept. 11 and began reassembling the pavilion, or sala, Sept. 12 following a traditional Thai ceremony that involved raising the first pillar and establishing the connection between the building’s spirit and those of its surroundings.

The pavilion was given to the University of Wisconsin–Madison by the Thai chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and the government of Thailand.

Though it is expected to be finished late next week, it will not be open to the public until next year. The grand opening of the Thai Pavilion and Garden is scheduled for mid-June.