'Cross-Stitch" is an inter-dialogue exhibition that lets works of new-generation artists be viewed through the eyes of a more established generation of artists. It is a part of Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre's YAN (Young Artist Network) campaign, first launched last year under the Politics Of Me banner.
Project director Pichaya Suphavarnij explains that the programme chooses an "artist-run curatorial system" to search for fresh possibilities and exchange of artistic ideas. The way it works is 10 senior, established artists serve as the "wellspring", or mentor, to young artists. The mentors are big names such as Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Apichatphong Weerasethakul, Kamin Lertchaiprasert, Kosit Jantaratip, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Nipan Oranniwesna, Sakarin Krue-on, Somboon Hormtientong, Thaweesak Srithongdee and Wit Pimkanchanapong. Each of these people select 18 young artists to present their works, ranging from paintings to installation pieces.
The opening on August 1 was pretty crowded _ as exhibition openings usually are _ and sometimes the audience could not concentrate on the works due to the busy going-ons and performance on the exhibition floor. It was after the bustle died down that we were able to browse through the show offering aesthetic sensibilities and attempts to convey messages.
Peeraphat Aukraphatm the founder of Art on Street gallery at Chatuchak market, was mentored by Kamin Lertchaiprasert. Peeraphat's work is a 10m-long painting of Buddha, and it was installed on an extended wall of the exhibition space. Unfortunately, the gap between the painting and audience is too small to appreciate the size of this gigantic piece. The figurative art is done in a mock-naive style with bright colours, and we can experience two different sentiments of religiosity and cheerfulness that come from his use of pure form, colours and brushwork.
Kamin also works with Ubatsat, a group artist from Chiang Mai. They showcase an interactive work titled (rather convolutedly) Thought Inside The Heart Of Unconsciousness Of The Sleeping Volcano On Crazy Star. The group set up a stage between a film screen and musician booth, and the work uses a mixture of video projection, sound design and sensor technology. The weird sound effects and pixel images conjure up an unknown planet that provides freedom of imagination and mind.
Mentor Somboon Hormtienthong, an abstract painter, works with Ekkalak Satidtawat, a young painter whose nickname is King. The work is called Who Is King Nowhere?, and it is a collection of humourous illustrations caricaturing artists and friends in the cultural industry. The eyes of all characters were painted in a yellow tone to mockingly imply the power of people in the art scene. In addition, the artist seems to question the availability of public space for young artists who still need support.
Only a couple of female artists were invited to take part in the project. Fawalai Sirisomphol, under the guidance of Thaweesak Srithongdee, has a background in architecture, and here she goes with a 3D painting. It's an ambitious work that combines features of several disciplines, from architectural form, sculptural flexibility, visual art and a cosmic theme that touches on the idea of being consumed by a materialistic society.
Stop-Watch by Atikom Mukdaprakorn (by Kosit Jantaratip's choosing) is a head-counting machine that captures audience movement. Atikom plays with an experience in mass communication and throws in a media-art study. Stop-Watch turns into an eyewitness to observe people's habits and makes an inquiry into the relation between viewers and art space; the artist has installed several webcams around the exhibiting hall and on the way out of the room, photos captured from the observation are printed out to show the scenes from the exhibition, making visitors part of the show.
The dynamics between established and upcoming artists is the essence of "Cross-Stitch". Other interesting pieces from young artists include a painting/animation DRAW.I..NGG by Peeraphat Kittisuwat, and Monk And Motorcycle Taxi Rider, an HD digital video by the young satirist Chulayarnon Siriphol. The road for these young artists is still long and winding, but judging from their creativity, the prospects seems bright enough.
