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Money matters: Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here -unless you know what you are doing
“Two heads are better than one, a hundred heads are so much better than none” – Horslips.
Graham Macdonald
MBMG International Ltd.
It is sometimes better to enjoy the journey than the
destination. Unfortunately, whilst this may be a general application to life, it
has no place in the world of investments. In the world of money, travelling with
nothing more than optimism is a one-way ticket to proving that, as stated in a
recent article, Cash is King unless you know what you are doing. As regular
readers of this column will be aware, we are not overly optimistic about the
global economy at the moment and so it is surely nothing more than hope that is
keeping equity markets and bond prices as buoyant as they are. That’s a real
problem for the single minded investment allocators who can’t see beyond
equities or who think that a balanced investment is a fixed allocation of 80% to
stocks and 20% to government Treasury Bills. We know that there are 5 asset
classes and that each of these require different expertise. If the legendarily
hard-drinking Irish band, Horslips, had been investment analysts we like to
think that they might have said “Five Asset classes are better than one, a
hundred external managers are so much better than none....” instead of simply
allocating to equities and keeping fingers crossed in the hope that:
The US economy will slow sufficiently enough to give Ben Bernanke some breathing
space but not so dramatically that corporate profits collapse.
Commodity prices and especially the price of oil will ease substantially whilst,
at the same time, maintaining incentives to develop cleaner fuel technologies
The latest geopolitical crisis (Iran/Iraq/North Korea/Russia/ Afghanistan/George
Bush etc) will resolve itself without 300 million Americans having to write yet
another hyper-inflationary blank cheque.
We have always muddled through before – surely we (and the markets) can do so
again?
By reading such fascinating treatises as ‘Triumph of the Optimists: 101 years of
investment returns’ - (Dimson, Marsh and Staunton), it can be seen that over the
last century, it has paid – at least for investors in the US and UK equity
markets – to be optimistic. But that optimism, or hope, was only rewarded over
the very long term and even then only in certain markets. Over the last one
hundred years, optimism and hope was definitely not a Utopian cure-all for
investors in Latin America, Eastern Europe or Asia. Perhaps the Brazil, Russia,
India, China (BRIC) story will perform better in this century than it did in the
last but we’ve already expressed our doubts there ad nauseam – especially with
the former two.
The always entertaining Tim Price, having now re-surfaced following his move
from Ansbacher to UBP underlined our views in a recent paper when he agreed that
optimism and hope in the face of growing uncertainty or unequivocal challenges
is just asking for trouble – especially in the near future. It does not need the
Oracle at Delphi to work out where and what the problems will be over the next
few years. Amongst other things to consider is:
1) Global co-ordinated monetary tightening
Tim re-states the views of Doug Noland of David W Tice that “the vast
majority of global liquidity these days emanates from private-sector debt growth
and securities leveraging”. This is a fair point. Nevertheless, there is a tried
and proven historical relationship between interest rates and bond prices. When
the former go up, the latter go down. Obviously, the Fed may now be nearer to
easing its metaphorical foot off the brake (we don’t know – unlike scores of
market commentators we claim no special insight into Fed policy). However, that
still leaves the ECB, Japan and a lot of emerging central banks to continue the
possibility of further tightening. Also, it should not be forgotten that the US
consumer is the swing factor behind the future direction of multiple asset
classes, and that any of the following - negative real wage growth, a lack of
fiscal incentives and an absence of further positive wealth effects - could
easily take their toll on consumer confidence or the world-beating spending
habits of the typical American.
2) High oil prices
Last month, a regular columnist in the London Financial Times pointed
out and drew attention to the massive difference between energy efficiency in
the ‘developed’ West (aside from the US, which “at any given level of GDP per
head uses about twice as much energy as Japan or the UK”) and the developing
world. For example, in South Korea between 1980 and 2002 GDP per head rose by
270%. However, energy use per head rose by 300%. Add India, China and the rest
of rapidly industrialising Asia to the mix and things only get worse. On top of
this you can add some OPEC obstructionism and Soviet-style appropriation - now,
try and argue for $30 oil. FT Banking Editor Peter Thal Larsen, writing in the
same edition, suggested that bankers and financial regulators ranked the oil and
commodities boom ahead of fraud and the growth of hedge funds in a league table
of potential “banking banana skins”. This is not the time to mention the fact
that the people who should really be worried about hedge funds are the lousy
long-only closet-index trackers who take your money and then do nothing with it.
But as to the suggestion that bankers were concerned about “the risk of a
disruption in the oil price” – well, what exactly are we living through now?
3) Weaker housing markets
Amazingly, the outcome here has been relatively kind – so far. Even
in those markets - like the UK and Australia - that have been most tipped to be
‘bursting bubbles’, things have not been as bad as they could have been. One
thing the crash of 2000 did for us when the technology markets died was to
encourage a flight to uniformity in financial metaphor. For the past six years,
analysts have been seeing nothing but bubbles - everywhere. People are
commenting on this all the time. For instance, US commentator Brady Willett
suggests, “no company can sustain equity growth of 30+% a year. Yet this is
exactly what the largest homebuilders in America have accomplished in each of
the last five years….” He also goes on to state that while Warren Buffett’s best
eight-year streak in average book value growth was 21.6%, between 1972 and 1979,
the largest US homebuilders have averaged a 29.4% increase in equity market
capitalisation over the last eight years. As we have commented on before, the
“fundamentals” certainly look frightening. The S&P 500 Homebuilding Index, for
example, has fallen by 43% over the past year. Seven US homebuilders now trade
below tangible book value and the larger builders are pricing in something
absolutely unbelievable when quoting an average p/e of 4. No wonder the Sage of
Omaha has looked elsewhere recently. Ironically, Brady Willett probably has a
point when he suggests that “homebuilders warrant a look by contrarian and
value-minded investors”.
Logical and rational analysis shows that when there is a situation of heightened
risks then they can be offset by risk reduction, especially given diminished
visibility for the corporate profits cycle. Since risk-free yields (cash and
quality government bonds) have reached competitive levels versus traditional
higher risk asset classes, we have yet again reduced our overall equity
allocations and raised exposure to cash, which is increasingly looking like a
tough benchmark to beat this year. However, this is with the full understanding
that when something attractive comes along we can go and invest in anything that
looks promising whether it be long or short term. Within hedge fund investments,
we continue to reduce equity market sensitivity in favour of multi-strategy.
Despite this, we expect hedge funds, as a sector, to outperform other asset
classes in 2006. (Man Investments has an offer on for an excellent fund with a
capital guarantee - available until 11th August). More than anything, asset
allocation is the key to success at the moment. Asset allocation drives 90% of
overall portfolio returns as “Success in the investment game is in direct
proportion to one’s ability to anticipate what the crowd will do next” – Scott
Campbell. Also, if asset allocation is to add value it must be basically a
contrarian process, not one that involves chasing fashion. This is achieved by
quantitative and qualitative analysis combined with good long term relationships
and experience in finding star-rated fund managers. The ethos and fund
objectives of the Miton Optimal CoreHarbour Fund says it all, “To achieve long
term growth and absolute returns with limited volatility, diversifying across
cash, bonds, equities, alternative strategies and property”. The benefits of a
multi-asset approach is glaringly obvious by the fact that no one asset class is
always the winner and opportunity will always be present in some format (or
asset). The five asset class strategy allows investors to benefit from these
opportunities, whilst protecting them from downsides. Therefore, by using the
multi-manager approach you automatically tend to focus on absolute not relative
returns as you are not constrained by benchmarks.
If you adopt this strategy then you will not have to regard all as a Forlorn
Hope.
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The above data and research was compiled from sources believed to be
reliable. However, neither MBMG International Ltd nor its officers can accept
any liability for any errors or omissions in the above article nor bear any
responsibility for any losses achieved as a result of any actions taken or not
taken as a consequence of reading the above article. For more information please
contact Graham Macdonald on [email protected]
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Snap Shots: Something different – Something cheap!
by Harry Flashman
 I
was stimulated to write this piece after an acquaintance whom I did not
even know was interested in photography, told me he had tried using my
sunglasses as a filter trick, something I had written about many years
ago. He said he couldn’t get it to work, but it does! However, it is all
part of Special Effects, or as the movie buffs would say, “SFX”.
Special Effects Photography can be a great way to spend oodles of money.
On your next visa run to Singapore you can come back with a complete
Cokin filter set plus compendiums (or is that “compendia”)? That little
lot will cost mega-baht and you’ll have to hire a caddy to carry it all
around every time you feel like taking pictures.
There is another way, however, and making SFX filters would make a good
school project, as well as giving the students a fun afternoon then
using their home-made filters.
One of the nicest special effects is what is called “centre spot soft
focus”. Now this just means the centre is in focus and the edges are
nicely soft and blurred. This effect is used by portrait and wedding
photographers all over the world to produce that wonderful “romantic”
photograph. To produce this type of picture is dead easy and you can do
it, no matter what kind of camera you use! I don’t care if it’s a Nikon
state-of-the-art F whatever digital, or the cheapest and nastiest pocket
point and shooter.
The secret is in the filter used. It is literally a clear piece of glass
or plastic over the lens that is clear in the middle and opaque (but
translucent) around the outside. Let’s make one.
The materials needed are easy too. You will need one can of hairspray, a
one Baht coin and a clear piece of glass or plastic (perspex) about 3
inches square (or 7.5 cms if you are a non-imperial person). This piece
of perspex needs to be as thin as possible to keep it optically correct.
With great skill and daring, you put the coin in the centre of the
perspex and then gently wave the hairspray can over the lot. Let it dry
and gently flick the coin off and you have your first special effects
filter – the centre spot soft focus.
Now to use this filter. If you have an SLR (single lens reflex) camera
you actually look through the lens when you are focussing and What You
See Is What You Get (called the WYSIWYG principle). For the compact
camera users it needs a little more imagination, but here’s how. Do not
worry (worry is bad for the soul and produces camera shake).
SLR people first – set your lens on the largest aperture you can
(aroundf5.6 or f4 is fine). Focus on your subject, keeping the face in
the centre of the screen. Now bring up your magic FX filter and place it
over the lens and what do you see? The face is in focus and the edges
are all blurred! You’ve got it. Shoot! Take a few shots, especially ones
with the light behind your subject. Try some different f stops as well
(it makes the centre spot larger or smaller) and record the details in
your trusty notebook – the one you do have in your camera bag, don’t
you? Be amazed at the results!
Now for those with the compacts, What You See Is Not What You Get, as
you are not looking through the lens. What you have to do is position
the centre of the filter over the lens and, while keeping it there,
bring the camera up to your eye, compose the shot and then shoot. Takes
some fiddling and manual dexterity, but all those with at least two
hands should be able to master it. Shoot in the shade as it helps open
the aperture up. Have a go today!
Modern Medicine: What is it like to have an MRI?
by Dr. Iain Corness, Consultant
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is one of the battery of
newer diagnostic examinations that can be done. The procedure is similar to
an X-Ray, in the fact that the end result shows the internal structures of
the body with a test that produces very clear pictures - but without the use
of X-rays. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce
these images.
Some folk are a little apprehensive about these newer tests, but the risks
to the average person are negligible. The MRI uses magnetic fields, rather
than radio-active imaging. However, the magnetic field is very strong. Walk
into the examination room and the MRI can wipe the details from the magnetic
strip encoding on your credit card, stop your watch and even pull the
stethoscope from the doctor’s pocket!
People who have had heart surgery and people with the following medical
devices can be safely examined with MRI: surgical clips or sutures,
artificial joints, staples, cardiac valve replacements (except the
Starr-Edwards metallic ball/cage), disconnected medication pumps, vena cava
filters or brain shunt tubes for hydrocephalus.
However, there are some conditions may make an MRI examination inadvisable.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
heart pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clip (metal clip on a blood vessel in the
brain), pregnancy during the first three months (we are just being super
cautious here), implanted insulin pump (for treatment of diabetes),
narcotics pump (for pain medication), or implanted nerve stimulators
(“TENS”) for back pain, metal in the eye or eye socket, cochlear (ear)
implant for hearing impairment, or implanted spine stabilization rods.
MRI is also different from X-Rays in what it can pick up. The MRI can detect
tumors, infection, and other types of tissue disease or damage. It can also
help diagnose conditions that affect blood flow. Tissues and organs that
contain water provide the most detailed MRI pictures, while bones and other
hard materials in the body do not show up well on MRI pictures, as opposed
to X-Rays which do show bone well but not soft tissue. For these reasons,
MRI is most useful for detecting conditions that increase the amount of
fluid in a tissue, such as an infection, tumors, and internal bleeding. In
some cases a contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to enhance
the images of certain structures. The contrast material may help evaluate
blood flow, detect some types of tumors, and locate areas of inflammation.
I think most people are familiar with the standard X-Ray procedure, stand
there, breathe in, hold it, now breathe out routine, but MRIs are a little
different. These are done with you lying there and inserted into the MRI
scanner, which is like a tunnel. Those people who are claustrophobic can
have a little problem here, as the MRI “tunnel” is very tight. When I had my
own MRI done I noticed that my nose was close to the top of the tunnel and
both elbows were brushing the sides, and I am considered a reasonably slim
individual. I have to say that although not claustrophobic, I do not
particularly like being in enclosed spaces, and found that the best way to
endure the MRI was to pretend I was lying relaxing in a field.
During the procedure, which can take up to an hour, you can hear the
operator talking to you, and he or she can hear your reply, but you still
will feel rather isolated in your magnetic tunnel. You can also hear (and
feel) muffled thumps and groans that come from the tube, which can be
somewhat unsettling.
In some cases a contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to enhance
the images of certain structures which may help evaluate blood flow, detect
some types of tumors, and locate areas of inflammation. The contrast
material is injected via a vein, and the MRI operator will advise you when
this is being injected. You may feel a warmth or even tingling feeling as
this is happening, but this is not worrisome.
The radiologist then reviews the pictures produced and will advise you of
the outcome. I hope it will be good news!
 Heart to Heart with Hillary
Dear Hillary,
It is amazing to read the same old so-called “problems” rising up each week.
Foreign visitor goes to the red light areas, enjoys himself then decides to
sacrifice everything he has worked for and ignore every bit of advice given
to him and then wallow in self pity. In his own country, would he have much
sympathy for a foreigner coming over there and wanting to buy motorcycles
and houses for a girl from his red light area? Not just for the girl, but
for her family as well. I’m sure he would call the fellow an idiot. Yet here
he is, looking for sympathy, having done exactly the same thing for Nat from
the North-East! I have discussed this with others here, and they say it is
different here because the Issan girls are forced into the life, while the
ones overseas are not. What do you think, Hillary? Are they victims of
circumstance, or not?
Geordie George
Dear Geordie George,
It is difficult to sit in judgment, because everyone is different, but you
have brought up some salient points. Men who would go to a foreign country
and buy women of the night expensive items are generally thought of as
misguided at best, idiots at worst. This scenario does not seem to happen in
the UK, Europe, America or Australia, the way it does here in Thailand. So
why is this so? Perhaps the women of the night in Thailand are more skilled
at emptying ATMs than the women overseas! Prostitutes overseas also make it
obvious that any relationship with them is a short term one, while this does
not seem to be the case in Thailand. The purchaser of the favors sees the
association as a long term one.
I am not convinced that there are many girls “forced into the life”, as you
put it, in the red light regions attracting the foreign customers. When you
look at the plight of the girls from Issan, they undoubtedly have many
societal problems which cause them to have to leave their homes and venture
into the cities to make money. Being left as a single parent, with no job
opportunities in the villages is just one of them, and further delving into
that can of worms is beyond the scope of this column, my Petal. However, the
women have to decide just what avenue of “employment” they will take up.
There are many, many Issan girls working as housemaids, nannies, laborers,
shop assistants, in restaurants and hairdressers, who obviously made the
decision not to work in the bars for the so-called ‘easy money’. What is the
difference then between these Issan girls and the Issan bar workers? Answer
that, and you have probably answered all those who would write in with their
tales of woe. Having said all that, there are still many differences and all
cases should be looked at on an individual basis.
Hilarity,
I think you misunderstood the happy beer bar goer. He obviously stated that
it is more fulfilling to pay for a woman who will give him what he wants,
without all the confusion and trouble attached to a relationship (which to
him, seems more attractive) but in reality, would only drain his pockets of
more money, and make him grey with worry before his time. Because I only go
to the brothels for Thais, I’ve been having exhillerating (sic) sex with the
cheapest and most beautiful girls and women in the world for the past ten
years, and my sexual ecstasy has been transformed into spiritual rapture, by
drawing in the essence of my partners, and having short meditation after sex
(sex, movement, life: meditation, stillness, death). Incidentally, there is
nothing wrong with consentual (sic) sex, regardless of the details which
comprise it. Anyone who says that sex is bad, does not understand the source
from which they spring. Therefore, they can never be truly happy and
peaceful. All sexual expression is valid, and one day, we will all get
beyond negative value judgements (sic) of the sexual act, and be transformed
and enlightened by it, in conjunction with meditation. The problem between
men and women is that they need each other, but they can never completely
fill each other’s need, because satisfaction can never be found in details;
only in the limitless ecstasy that details exist in. The answer is simple.
Have ecstasy in the details. Go with the flow. Have sex when you feel the
need, and with anyone you choose. Not being hung up on any one person or
thing, is freedom, so enjoy all, and taste the fullness of life.
Yours in ecstasy, Father Feelfree
Dear Father Feelfree,
Do you mutter mantras as well, my Petal? Goodness me, the exhillerating
(sic) sex seems to have gone to your head. (By the way, your spelling is
atrocious.) Your free-wheeling advice on having sex any time you want “with
anyone you choose” does not say whether that “anyone” gets a say in the
matter as well. Do they choose you? Or are they kept in a brothel where
their choice is denied, and they get paid a percentage of your measly
pittance to give you exhillerating (sic) sex? And your “consensual” sex
“regardless of the details which comprise it” is nonsense. To be consensual
requires the agreement (consent) of both parties. Double the dose of your
tablets and ring your doctor in the morning.
Beyond the Beach: ‘Visiting the Past’
Caspian Pike
We’re going to have to wait for the show from New York City. This week, once
again, Andrew Watson is on his travels, but he’s only venturing a little “Beyond
the Beach”. Bangkok is his destination as he takes his family up to the big city
for the weekend. Naturally, there’s a raison d’ętre for being there.
Andrew gets to grips with three artists “Visiting the Past” in this week’s Beyond
The Beach.
In his series “Perspectives” towards the end of last year, Andrew and the PMTV
team made a programme at an Art exhibition entitled ‘Art Raising Thoughts’ at
the Royal Garden Plaza. There, Watson proclaimed (quite boldly perhaps) that the
exhibition, which brought together Thai and international artists in a powerful
fusion of modernity and cultural celebration, had the potential to radically
alter the artistic landscape of the city. Well, so it seems to have proved.
There are a host of great exhibitions throughout Pattaya and now three of our
city’s brightest lights have a show in Bangkok (see interviews with them in “A
Female Perspective”) and are exhibiting at the prestigious Rotunda Gallery,
Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok.
It’s perfect material for “Beyond the Beach” as it combines a bit of travel with
some really interesting guests and the now familiar lashings of subtle humour.
Andrew talks to Lucia Nascimento, from Brazil, Marianne Hvass Kure from Denmark
and Wakako Yamamoto from Japan, three female artists drawn together by their
passion to visit their past in search of their roots. In these complex, chaotic
times, the three artists seek inspiration in the simplicity and power of ancient
art from their countries of origin and interpret their feelings in unique ways.
The show is aptly named, “Visiting the Past”.
“Beyond the Beach” continues to surprise. Every week from somewhere different,
featuring someone different, doing something different. If variety is the spice
of life, then this show has got it by the sack load. Watching last week’s show
with Henry Elwes, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire in the UK, the pace had
slowed. It was relaxed, calm, easy and very English. Now, Bangkok brings with it
a contrast; a buzz, the city life. No surprise then, to find Watson in a taxi,
that symbol of urban haste, where his daughter takes the opportunity to steal
the limelight. Similarly, some of the viewing public at the exhibition; “How”,
asks Watson of one attractive teenager, “can you tell that this picture has
anything to do with a ‘duck’?” The girl turns to him as if he’s lost the plot
and replies, “Because it’s called, “Duck””. “Ah yes, a title can help,
sometimes,” responds Watson, attempting to save face.
On a more serious note, the work on show at “Visiting the Past” is an intriguing
and satisfying bond between culturally diverse but similarly creative and
sensitive artists. Essentially, they are dealing with the same issue from
different places. As for the Rotunda Gallery at 195 Surawong Road, Bangkok, it’s
always worth visiting. This show lasts until July 30th and I’ll be going.
Next week on “Beyond the Beach” it’s New York City.
Catch Andrew Watson’s trip to Bangkok when he’s “Visiting the Past” on Sunday,
at the following times:
Sophon at 8:00am - Midday - 4:00pm - 8:pm and Midnight.
Chonburi at 9:40am - 2:00pm - 8:40pm and 40 minutes after midnight.
Jomtien at 9:00am - 12:30pm - and 9:00pm
Sattahip at 8:00am - 1:30pm - 5:00pm - 8:00pm and 11:00pm
A Female Perspective: Visiting the Past
with Sharona Watson
Occasionally, like many of us along the Eastern Seaboard, as a family, we
spend a weekend in Bangkok. I suppose you need a reason or an excuse,
whether it’s shopping in Chattuchak or seeing Disney on Ice. So I was
absolutely delighted when I was invited to the opening of an Art Exhibition,
entitled “Visiting the Past” which just perfectly suited my interests. Set
in the very lovely surroundings of the Rotunda Gallery, it features three
women, each from different countries, all of whom live, paint and exhibit in
and around Pattaya. What a great opportunity! I felt I knew a little bit
about the subject, having been married to an Artist for fifteen years! Lucia
Nascimento is from Brazil, Marianne Hvass Kure from Denmark, Wakako Yamamoto
from Japan. Their work is very soulful, very deep, very female. It was a
pleasure speaking to them…
 Marianne
Hvass Kure: “If I don’t paint, I go crazy.”
SW: Lucia, I know you are very passionate about Art. Tell me, what does Art
mean to you?
LN: Art for me is a connection that we have with something superior, with
nature and with beauty.
SW: Do you think there’s mysticism in Art? An element of the unknown, the
unexplained?
LN: If you add Art to something supernatural or symbolic then the mysticism
is there. I think it’s a link that we have with something that we can call
‘God’, but we can also call ‘nature’. It’s very powerful. My Art work is
very symbolic, very much so in this exhibition.
SW: What made you want to visit the past?
LN: The first thing was that I wanted to go back to my roots to find a
little bit of peace. In modern society, we have roles in life; we have
stress, pollution, things which confuse our soul. We get lost a little bit
in modernity. Where is peace in modernity? In visiting the past, you can see
that the simplicity of life of the original inhabitants of my country; the
way they cook, the way they eat, that surviving thing, is very beautiful…of
course they were very hard also. But they made only the necessities and
that’s it. They didn’t need anything else. I think in modern society, we
need a lot. We are not happy with little things. We forget. For example, we
see a beautiful bamboo tree and think of what it could be like as a
decoration, instead of the beauty in the object itself.
SW: Would you be willing to live a life of such simplicity?
 Lucia
Nascimento: “It’s still a search in my soul.” Lucia Nascimento: “Art helps
me to have the power to take care of my family.”
LN: I think I can. I think it’s my ideal. I’m searching for it. I think that
all humans are searching for it. I want to show these artworks to people and
tell them through my Art, through my questioning about life, ‘Hey, maybe we
should stop and instead of ‘fixing’ all these ‘primitive’ peoples, maybe
they have a lot to teach us.’ I think we get lost somewhere in life….
SW: It seems to me that the three of you together are looking for fulfilment
within yourselves. Is that right?
LN: Yes. It’s still a search in my soul. I haven’t got there yet!
SW: You’re married, you have children, you’re a working Artist. Is it
difficult to combine all these things?
LN: Yes it is. I try to manage. I think a woman has the power to do that.
SW: Don’t you feel exhausted?
 Wakako
Yamamoto: “After eight o’clock I am an artist!”
LN: No I don’t! I think my Art helps me to have the power to take care of my
family. Both combine very well in a balance. At the end of each day, I feel
very alive.
SW: Does your husband encourage you?
LN: Very much. He supports me, he encourages me. He fell in love with an
Artist!
SW: Wakako, where do you find your inspiration?
WY: After I came to Thailand, I met Artists of many different nationalities
at the ‘Art Raising Thoughts’ exhibition at the Royal Garden Plaza. My work
changed quite a lot. From meeting all these people, I wanted to rediscover
my roots through my calligraphy. So my calligraphy is ‘older style’, a way
to find myself.
SW: How do you cope with all your responsibilities?
WY: I try to balance everything, as a wife, a mother, an Artist. So in the
morning and afternoon I am a wife and mother and then after eight o’clock I
am an Artist!
SW: Does your husband understand this?
WY: Yes. Luckily he is Japanese and Japanese husbands usually come back
quite late!
SW: Is he supportive?
WY: I think he’s happy that I don’t spend all my time shopping!
SW: Marianne, can you tell me about your work?
MHK: My pictures are abstract. My work hasn’t always been abstract. For many
years, I painted portraits and also natural landscapes and nudes, so this
abstract side of my painting is something that I hadn’t seen before. I think
it came about because we moved to Thailand and also because I met other
artists. We have been talking a lot about what Art is, about why we make
Art, about why should it be necessary to make Art. From these talks I think,
these abstracts paintings evolved.
SW: So what is Art for you?
MHK: It’s a way to survive. I think that the world is complicated for
everyone to live in but Art to me is very simple and pure.
SW: How do you choose what to paint?
MHK: I don’t choose wilfully. I walk around in a kind of meditative state
and then all of a sudden, I feel something interesting. A colour or a shape
or something. And then I feel almost as if I’m called, you know - that a
flower is calling, or a piece of nature, or a person. Then I get very
curious and I want to find out, ‘who is this person?’ or ‘who is this piece
of rock?’ What is the essence of this piece? And then I start to dwell on
the subject and feel what it does; vibrations or whatever. And then maybe
I’ll go home and then after a couple of days I’ll be painting and all of a
sudden I think; ‘Oh! That’s the piece of rock that I was looking at. The
colour is the same; the feeling of the rock is there.’ So I don’t think it’s
a wilful matter…I just follow.
SW: Is Art your life? How do you combine being a wife and a mother for three
children, with all that energy?
MHK: It can be complicated, handling ordinary routine life with all the
things that need to be done. I have learned through life that if I don’t
paint, I go crazy! If I don’t paint, I don’t have the energy to do the rest
of my life. On the other hand, if I do not spend time being with my
children, I don’t have the calmness to go into a painting. There’s a
duality. They compliment each other but this has taken time. When the
children were younger, once in a while I sneaked around and made some Art.
Now I’m very happy that I can dwell in Art every day.
SW: Are you fully supported by your husband?
MHK: Oh yes! He has always said to me that he wished I could just be an
Artist and not have to work and he says to me very often, “As long as you’re
happy, I’m happy”.
SW: That’s wonderful! To be so accommodating, especially as the energy isn’t
going directly to him!
MHK: Well sometimes he complains as well!
SW: Well, he is a man!
“Visiting the Past” is at the Rotunda Gallery, Neilson Hays Library, 195
Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500 until July 30th Opening hours Tuesday – Sunday
9.30am – 5.00pm Tel: 02 233 1731
Next week: Postcard from Rome
[email protected]
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