MANUAL: A New Manual for the Library

          If you visited the Living Library zone of TK Park earlier this year, you might have noticed people quietly walking in pairs beside you, sitting down to pick up a book, or doing something subtle in silence. Or perhaps, everything was so quiet and natural that you did not notice anything at all.

          That was the point.

          This curious occurrence was something new at TK Park—an unconventional form of performance art, created by a group of artists who strongly believe that libraries are fertile grounds for live creative encounters.

          In March 2025, TK Park opened its space to MANUAL (translated into Thai as คู่มือ), a performance by Canadian artists Christopher Willes and Adam Kinner, as part of the Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting (BIPAM). The work left a deep impression—not only on audiences, but also on the artists and organizers who made it possible.

          MANUAL is a one-on-one contemporary performance—without a stage, without obvious lighting or sound effects. The scenes were placed throughout the library space, carefully mapped yet open to the uncontrolled rhythms of real life. The performance unfolded among genuine library users, who continued to go about their activities without interruption.

          After the final show, TK Park had the opportunity to speak with the creative team and Thai performers involved. We then gathered reflections from Sasapin Siriwanij, Artistic Director of BIPAM, and Christopher Willes, co-creator of MANUAL, to capture the journey, the challenges, and the quiet magic of transforming “a library in a mall” into a stage for shared imagination.

          The First Southeast Asian Edition

          “It was a real pleasure to present MANUAL at BIPAM,” Christopher reflects. “It was the ninth presentation of the work, and our first time staging it in Southeast Asia.”

          The Thai edition of MANUAL was a landmark in itself — it was the first time the performance was fully translated into Thai, and the first time the cast included four Thai artists: Sarut Komalittipong, Jaturachai Srichanwanpen, Pattareeya Puapongsakorn, and Napim Singtoroj.

          For Sasapin, the inspiration to bring MANUAL to Thailand came from her own experience as an audience member. “As a book lover, I’ve long felt a lack of motivation to visit libraries in Thailand. MANUAL reminded me of the magic libraries once held—and still can.”

          The journey to bring the project to life took over a year of planning and coordination—across countries, time zones, languages, and artistic contexts. “Sometimes it felt like we were dreaming something up together,” Sasapin recalls. “And then it actually came true.”

          Between Chaos and Calm

          A defining feature of MANUAL is the “listening walk,” where audiences are guided to observe sound and space in heightened ways. In Bangkok, the experience began not in the library but in the mall itself.

          “It was our first time presenting MANUAL in a library located inside a shopping mall,” says Christopher. “We usually stage it in large, central libraries. This setting felt like a daunting departure at first—but in the end, we embraced it.”

          That contrast—between the noise and chaos of the mall and the quiet focus of the library—became a strength. It gave this version of MANUAL a dynamic energy that made it stand out.

          A Milestone for BIPAM

          Sasapin considers MANUAL a key milestone in BIPAM 2025’s programming. “It was a close collaboration from the very beginning, working with the artists not just to present the work, but to reimagine it in the Thai context.”

          She’s particularly proud that BIPAM 2025 marked the first staging of MANUAL in a non-English, non-French-speaking country. “Having TK Park as a partner made a huge difference. The team was welcoming, open to discussion, and truly collaborative throughout the process.”

          Artistically, MANUAL also helped expand the boundaries of what performing arts can be. It combined sound, text, movement, and embodied experience into a quiet, 45-minute journey. “Live art today is not just something to watch on a stage,” Sasapin says. “It’s something you co-experience with others in shared space and time.”

          Challenges and Collaboration

          Bringing an international performance to life in Bangkok came with its share of obstacles—especially funding. “Arts funding remains limited in Thailand,” says Sasapin. “But thanks to the collaboration between BIPAM, TK Park, and our partners, we made it happen.”

          A key contributor was Vacilando Bookshop and its founder Withit Chanthamarit, who lent rare photobooks and insight into Thai reading culture to enrich the work.

          Adapting MANUAL to TK Park’s setting was more than a logistical task—it was a creative process in itself. “This library is not like the public libraries MANUAL had toured before,” Sasapin explains. “But with brainstorming and on-site exploration, the artists found a way to embrace the energy of Bangkok and use it to invite people into a different kind of experience.”

          “When people tell us that MANUAL made TK Park feel fresh and magical again—that’s the biggest reward.”

          A Living Library for Creative Encounters

          Both the artists and BIPAM see TK Park not just as a venue, but as a cultural space full of potential.

          “Libraries are powerful spaces for sparking imagination,” says Christopher. “MANUAL began as an artist residency at the Mitchell Library in Scotland, and we’ve since presented it in five countries. Every time, the library opens new ways of connecting with people.”

          Sasapin adds: “Having a space for knowledge and creativity in the middle of a shopping mall invites people to slow down and experience something deeper. It’s not just about the physical space—it’s about the team that supports it. I could not imagine a better venue partner for MANUAL in Bangkok, to have a facility that fits the project in a convenient location.”

          Looking Forward

          MANUAL at TK Park was a vivid reminder that public spaces—especially libraries—can still surprise us. With thoughtfulness and collaboration, even a place we think we know can become something magical.

          This was not just a performance. It was a shared process, a creative act of transformation, and a hopeful glimpse of what libraries—and live art—can make possible.

          Photos courtesy of Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting (BIPAM)

          You can revisit other highlights from TK Park’s early 2025 programming throughout August at tkpark.or.th/tha/articles.