East Meet West 2020: Busabok Glass Architecture

This great artwork was created by Khun Jirawatn Chavanatit, well known as a glass artist of Thailand. He was grateful that Airports of Thailand PLC. had invited him to create “Busabok Glass Architecture” established in the middle of Suvarnabhumi Airport 2nd Phase. He had thoughts and his intention fully put into creating this elegant glass architecture by blending well-balanced of Western arts and Eastern arts properly. Then, this artwork would be created by using “Stack glass / Crystal Technique” representing to Western Arts and “Kriab Mirror” representing to ancient glass culture of Thailand. In regarding with the design, the original wood Busabok was the master of this artwork in order to maintain the unique and graciousness by the traditional Thai structure. In the meanwhile, he applied his knowledge and skills of advanced glass design to make it different and innovative. Besides that, to be more splendid, this glass Busabok was ornamented with crystals reflecting more design uniquely. As only one of Busabok glass architecture in the world, it was the first time in Thailand for making Busabok with the large stacked glass structure and still maintaining the structures, the senses , and the features of Thai traditional architecture delicately and gracefully.

From many artworks of stacked glass architecture which Khun Jirawatn had made, we would know about “Phra Maha Chedi Kaew” or “Phra Rattana Chedi Sri Maha Mongkol” architecture at Wat Paknam, Bhasi Charoen district, Bangkok and also, we might see that Nagas were created and installed around at Chedi’s basement. At this time, we would see the strong and power Garuda, designed, and extricated from the ancient sculptures. These Garuda were made with glass by using stacked glass technique and ornamented with crystals around the glass Busabok. At here, Suvarnabhumi Airport, all people passing by would appreciate this “Busabok Glass Architecture” and know that it was the first time of glass architecture to blend the western arts and “Kriab Mirror” the eastern arts together with well-balanced and beautiful creation.

Besides, this important artwork was the first glass architecture of his daughter, the eldest daughter. Khun Jirawatn had transmitted the glorious knowledge of glass architecture which was established and continually practiced over 40 years to his daughter. That was great for her to keep learning, practicing, and improving more and more, and also, leading the colleagues to achieve this artwork complete beautifully by the year 2020. The concepts of this Busabok glass architecture was created by “Father” and “ Daughter” with well-balanced collaboration of two generations. The cooperation on training elaborately and building people up to fond of the arts and put their intention to their artworks was the key to achievement on this great artwork. The important point of this great achievement completely and gratefully were the thoughts and skills of the old generations and the new generations as well as blending of the western arts and the eastern arts to be appreciated and becoming known as the glass architecture of Thailand as today.

Special thanks.

I would like to thank Khun Prapassorn Tiranarat (Architect), Planning Workplace Limited., Powerline Engineering Public Co., Ltd., Kelwalin Chavanatit (My daughter), Panphop Chavanatit (My son), Ph.D. Theekayu Chanta (Photographer), “TAJAYA” Kriab Mirror Team, and throughout all my colleagues. And again, I greatly appreciate your all intentions and efforts to create this great artwork established at Suvarnabhumi Airport completely and gloriously.