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The integration of technology extends beyond fields such as research, healthcare, sustainability, business, and public policy, encompassing diverse sectors like entertainment and art, where Chula University’s Faculty of Fine Arts has adeptly embraced technology, seamlessly intertwining it with the art of sculpture.
A visit to the Faculty of Fine Arts at Chula University reveals an application of modern technology in sculpture. As visitors wander through the faculty, they’ll come across a sculpture depicting a female student playing a treble fiddle within an octagonal pavilion, distinguished by the immersive musical accompaniment that enhances the sculpture, providing a multisensory experience. As night descends, the pavilion comes to life with a radiant glow, casting light on the surroundings in front of the faculty, contributing to the overall ambience of the campus and rendering the sculpture particularly captivating in the evening hours.
Wirad Songcroh, a lecturer at the Department of Music at Chula University, created this sculpture. It was developed in collaboration with alumni Orawee Bumphenpetch and Dr Vorapoj Songcharoen. This creation serves as a symbol of the faculty’s identity while embracing the future through Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The sculpture seamlessly merges traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology, creating a new artistic experience for the fine art field.
Prof Dr Bussakorn Binson, the person who is behind this idea, explained that “Heavenly Music” captures the essence of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. The sculpture incorporates a motion sensor that triggers the melody of “Maha Chulalongkorn,” the university’s anthem, played on a treble fiddle as passersby stroll past.
Prof Dr Bussakorn Binson explained that by harnessing the AR, visitors can scan the sculpture to reveal a celestial pavilion using the Artivive application. They unlock a hidden layer of artistry, transforming a static piece into a multisensory experience. This innovative integration of AR ensures that the sculpture remains vibrant and accessible to a diverse audience, bridging the gap between art and technology.
This convergence of art and technology allows alums, students, and art enthusiasts, both near and far, to connect with the sculpture meaningfully. Through AR, viewers are transported into the virtual realm, ensuring that the sculpture’s visual elements, musical harmonies, and narratives remain vivid and accessible to a diverse global audience.
Assoc Prof Dr Pornprapit Phoasavadi, the Associate Dean for International Affairs within the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, underscored that “Heavenly Music” represents the emerging generation of the faculty, symbolised by a female student playing a treble fiddle. This vision aligns perfectly with the faculty’s philosophy of honouring its heritage while propelling itself forward as a generational bridge.
The sculpture’s music is a rendition of “Maha Chulalongkorn,” a composition by the late H M King Bhumibol, played using traditional Thai instruments. By seamlessly merging traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology, this sculpture not only stands as a landmark but also as a beacon of innovation and creativity in the world of fine arts. It demonstrates that art can continue to bridge generations, all while embracing the endless possibilities of the digital tech age.
