STUDY AND ART CREATION BASED ON THE STORIES OF WORLD WAR 2, WAT KHAO DURIAN AREA

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study and to create work of art. The researcher aims to collect data from the stories told about World War 2 and create art work as a means to promote Wat Khao Durian as a learning center. The methodology applied in the study based on the following criteria 1) the concept of work and 2) principles of composition, shape and form, texture, background and colour. The stories told are applied to inspire the art creation. According to the researcher’s study and art creation, the work portrays the Japanese troops landing in Thailand during the period of “Greater East Asia War.” The troops travelled by the Gulf of Thailand and entered Thailand via Siam Riap. They built a big soldier camp at Khao Cha Ngok and Khao Durian. The villagers neither assisted nor resisted them. They focused only on trading with them. The war prisoners presented in the work were bare chested; they wore only pants. The villagers showed their sympathy by giving food to the prisoners but they were stopped by the Japanese soldiers. Inside the camp, there was a play. The soldiers all dressed as women. The Japanese soldiers enjoyed naked-bathing. The villagers did not know the Free Thai Movement. After the defeat of Japan in World War II, they brought out 1,000 of horses and donkeys to kill. The Japanese soldiers were starved. They had to go out in the jungle to dig taros and potatoes for food. They even brought out appliances, clothes, watches, and weapons to trade for food. Some officers used guns to committed suicide. The war had a significant impact on the economy in Thailand: poor economy and inflation. The banknotes were issued more. It was the turning point of arts and culture as can be seen in the works of Silpa Bhirasri’s and Hem Wechakorn’s abstract expressionism in later time and the building of Wat Khao Durian as learning center.