La Luna Gallery: The Reverse Art Exhibition

Tucked in a quiet corner of Chiang Mai’s art district, La Luna Gallery has long been known for its commitment to promoting contemporary art from Southeast Asia. 

With its whitewashed walls, soft lighting, and intimate space, the gallery offers a unique platform for emerging and established artists. This season, it takes a bold step forward with an exhibition that challenges perceptions—"The Reverse.

“The Reverse” is not just an art exhibition—it’s a conceptual experience. It dares to ask: What if we looked at art from the opposite side?

 Instead of inviting viewers to interpret meaning, the artworks seem to ask questions back. The exhibition flips the roles of observer and subject, comfort and discomfort, tradition and rebellion.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted not with a grand masterpiece, but a blank wall—intentional, jarring. The artwork begins behind the viewer, requiring a physical and mental turn to engage. 

The layout leads guests in an unusual direction, forcing them to walk backward, pause, and reconsider how they move through space and meaning.

From deconstructed canvases to mirror installations and video loops played in reverse, the show features a wide range of media. One particularly striking piece is a sculpture made entirely from broken frames and discarded gallery labels—turning the idea of the “finished artwork” on its head. 

Each piece challenges ideas of value, completion, and permanence.

Central to “The Reverse” is the exploration of memory, time, and perception. Several artists have used worn objects, faded textiles, and reversed texts to represent the way we recall the past—not as a straight line, but as fragments and rewinds. 

One standout installation plays audio recordings of personal stories backward, creating a haunting, dreamlike effect.

In this exhibition, the viewer becomes part of the art. Mirrors placed at unexpected angles capture your reflection in someone else’s narrative. Footsteps echo across sound-sensitive floors that trigger projected images. You don’t just see the art—you activate it. 

In this reversed world, your presence is no longer passive.

A powerful element of “The Reverse” is how it reinterprets traditional Southeast Asian motifs. Thai textiles are displayed inside out, Burmese lacquerware is cracked and filled with wax, and old photographs from Laos are layered with digital animation. 

These works invite conversations on how history is preserved, distorted, or re-authored.

The exhibition does not shy away from making its audience uncomfortable. One dimly lit room features a video projected onto a wall of cracked glass, forcing viewers to see the art in fragments. 

Another features a shrine-like installation made from failed art school projects. These spaces remind us that reversing the familiar can provoke both unease and discovery.

Curated by a team of Thai and international artists, “The Reverse” rethinks curatorship itself. Labels are written backward or placed where viewers must crouch or turn to read. 

The intent is not to confuse, but to slow down the viewing process, encouraging mindfulness and engagement. It’s a reminder that art is not always linear or easy to digest.

Visitors leave the gallery deep in thought—many stopping to discuss what they felt, not just what they saw. Conversations often center around what we overlook, what we assume, and how we assign meaning. B

y reversing the direction of how we experience art, the exhibition succeeds in reversing internal perspectives too.

La Luna Gallery’s “The Reverse” invites each person to reflect not only on art but on the everyday patterns of seeing and believing. 

What happens when we step back instead of forward? What hidden meanings emerge when we look behind rather than ahead? These questions linger long after the visit ends.

In a city rich with temples and tradition, “The Reverse” stands out as a bold, modern statement. It’s not merely an art show—it’s a provocation, a meditation, and a mirror. 

La Luna Gallery has once again proven itself a space where boundaries are pushed and perspectives are expanded. Sometimes, by turning around, we see more clearly.

 

A Visit to the Floral Shop: A Walk into a World of Blooms

As I pushed open the glass door of the floral shop, a wave of sweet, earthy fragrance welcomed me. The air felt lighter, fresher—like walking into a garden in full bloom. Rows of colorful flowers stood proudly in buckets, each one seeming to smile as sunlight filtered through the window. It was more than just a store; it was a little sanctuary of petals and peace.

The first thing that caught my attention was the explosion of colors. Roses, tulips, sunflowers, daisies, and lilies created a vibrant mosaic. Shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and purple were arranged so beautifully it felt like stepping into a painting. The shop owner, with a warm smile, greeted me as she trimmed stems and arranged bouquets behind the counter.

Summer flowers filled the shop with warmth and energy. Marigolds and zinnias danced in bright orange and yellow, while lavender added a soothing purple touch. Seasonal arrangements gave a sense of nature’s rhythm. The owner explained how she sourced locally grown blooms and highlighted which flowers were freshest that week.

Tucked into a cozy corner of the shop were pressed flower cards, dried floral wreaths, and handmade bookmarks. These preserved pieces of nature held a different kind of beauty—subtle, lasting, and nostalgic. They offered a thoughtful gift for those who wanted flowers that wouldn't fade.

One part of the shop featured custom floral boxes and hand-written notes. Customers could choose the flowers, colors, and even scents. The florist showed me a box made for a recent anniversary—red roses, white baby’s breath, and a lavender sachet tucked beneath. It was a reminder that flowers could be deeply personal.

The floral shop wasn’t just selling flowers; it was offering emotion, memory, and meaning.

I left the floral shop with a small bouquet of pink carnations and eucalyptus, tied with twine. As I stepped back onto the busy street, I carried more than flowers—

I carried a calm joy. A visit to the floral shop is not just about buying blooms; it's about pausing to appreciate life’s beauty, even for a moment.

By the Riverbank: A Quiet World of Flowing Beauty

There’s something timeless about standing beside a flowing river. The gentle sound of water brushing against stones, the rustling leaves of nearby trees, and the soft light reflecting off the surface create a calming atmosphere. A riverbank is more than a physical edge—it’s a space where nature slows down, inviting us to pause and breathe.

Riverbanks are full of life. Birds nest in the reeds, frogs leap from muddy patches, and dragonflies hover above the water’s surface. Beneath the flow, fish swim quietly, while the roots of willows and grasses hold the earth in place. It's a living, breathing ecosystem that supports countless forms of wildlife—often unnoticed but vital.

Many people are drawn to riverbanks for quiet reflection. Whether sitting on a large rock or walking along the shore, there’s a sense of calm that flows with the water. Thoughts seem to settle more easily here, as if carried away by the current. It's no surprise that poets, artists, and dreamers often find inspiration near rivers.

Riverbanks shift and change with the seasons. In spring, wildflowers bloom along the edge; in summer, green grass and tall reeds dance in the breeze. Autumn brings golden leaves drifting into the water, and winter coats the banks with frost. Each visit offers something new, revealing the river’s quiet but constant rhythm.

For many communities, the riverbank is a place of gathering. In some towns and villages, people fish, bathe, or hold ceremonies by the river. Children play along the water’s edge, families picnic under shady trees, and elders sit together watching the world flow by. The river becomes a shared space, rooted in both culture and memory.

Time spent by a riverbank has a soothing effect. Listening to water trickle over stones or watching ripples spread can ease stress and quiet the mind. Many people visit rivers for healing—both emotional and physical. Whether walking, meditating, or simply watching, nature’s gentle touch is felt deeply here.

In the end, the riverbank reminds us of life’s flow. Like the water, we face turns, still moments, and unexpected currents. But through it all, there is movement, grace, and quiet strength. A simple visit to the river’s edge can ground us in the present, showing that even in stillness, there is beauty and growth.

A Tropical Beauty The pink Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

The pink Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese hibiscus or shoeblackplant, is a stunning tropical flower admired for its large, trumpet-shaped blooms and vibrant pink petals. Native to East Asia, this flowering plant thrives in warm, sunny climates and is often found in home gardens, public parks, and along pathways. Its soft pink shade evokes a sense of calm and grace, making it a favorite among flower lovers.

In many cultures, the pink hibiscus symbolizes delicate beauty, femininity, and love. In tropical countries, it is often used in traditional ceremonies, hair adornments, and decorations during festivals. Unlike the red hibiscus, which conveys passion, the pink variety is associated with gentleness and romantic admiration—perfect for expressing tender emotions.

Beyond its beauty, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plays a valuable ecological role. It attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, helping maintain biodiversity in gardens and green spaces. Additionally, some cultures use hibiscus flowers for herbal remedies and teas, believed to aid digestion and reduce inflammation, though pink varieties are more often prized for their ornamental value.

This flower loves the sun and needs well-drained soil, regular watering, and occasional pruning to flourish. Whether planted in the ground or kept in pots, the pink hibiscus adds a tropical charm to any space. With the right care, it blooms generously, offering daily reminders of nature’s gentle elegance right outside your door.



see also  where roses bloom, so does hope