'8/8/08 - 8/8/38'
SAMILA WENIN
The topic of appearance versus reality - and its substantiality - is nothing new in literature or in art. However, you can expect something new if it's treated by the artistically defiant Michael Shaowanasai. His latest show at Numthong Gallery, "8/8/08 - 8/8/38", though inspired by the artist's contemplation of his fading looks, is a contemplation of image and time, appearance and reality and the extent of performance art.
"Normally, I don't go out. I often stay home but when I go out, I usually get something," Michael said of the idea behind the exhibition, referring to a romantic encounter.
"One time, I didn't get what I wanted so I started to look inward, and I'm old! I'm 44 already and I realise I cannot rely on my looks anymore. I have to rely on something else."
The idea coincided with his journey to Sydney, where he was told by a fortune-teller that he'd better do something that is "long-term" for his next show.
"Hence the name '8/8/08 - 8/8/38'." It's a look at Michael captured in video, Michael who's right there in front of you and Michael at 74. I mean, if one day I break my back, I can make a living out of this project still," he said.
In terms of presentation, the exhibition is comprised of a video and the artist, who's present at the gallery during opening hours as well as by appointment. What's more notable for fans of Michael Shaowanasai, however, is the fact that this show is the first time the always-flamboyant artist appears without make-up, styled hair, or a female costume, and his performance doesn't involve any elaborately theatrical gestures this time. For "8/8/08 - 8/8/38", Michale is no one but himself.
"I just sat there and viewers came to talk to me about the video. After 30 minutes, someone asked when I'd perform. I said, 'I have been doing that for the past 30 minutes. I was talking to you and this is the performance," he said.
"There's one thing about performance art that bugs me: It's repetitive. In this work, the performance varies wherever the exhibition goes because people read my work differently and they will talk to me differently. It's the viewers who actually perform."
'8/8/08 - 8/8/38' is on at Numthong Gallery, 1129/29 Co-Op Housing Building, 109 Thoet Damri Road, Dusit, until this Saturday. For more information call 02-243-4326 or email numthong-art-th@hotmail.com.
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