Surajate Tongchua’s mixed media installation “Size Space” invites mixed and dynamic interpretations. Stepping into Tadu Contemporary Art, your first reaction is that those pieces in different corners are still works in progress, not quite ready for the public. Neither do they seem to be linked by any unified concept — a banner reads “It starts to disappear, before you even notice”, there’s a metal sculpture of the word “HOME”, an aerial landscape of different parts of the world is projected on a world map and a tarpaulin-like roof made of milk cartons is sewn together with a light bulb hanging in the middle.
'Size Space' is on display until April 30 at Tadu Contemporary Art.
The exhibition’s title, “Size Space”, provides a bit of a guide as to what this set of works is all about. Viewers need to wander around and soak up the atmosphere before realising that this is could be Surajate’s miniature version of the world, where various spaces and objects of different sizes are compiled.
The works play with our perception and maybe after half-an-hour, or while driving home, our initial interpretations and understanding will shift. That metal sculpture, when it is placed next to a video showing lush landscapes around the world, could stand for our detachment from nature. And the roof made from recycled material could be a response to the statement on the banner.
This is the first solo exhibition in Bangkok of the Chiang Mai-based artist. Surajate said he has always liked to create works that deal with issues like the environment, society, community and people’s ways of life. His main focus in “Size Space” is to observe various environmental issues that have happened in various spaces. In a recent interview with Life, Surajate talked about the concept of his exhibition, its production process and the impact he hopes to make on viewers.
Tell us about the concept of this exhibition.
Surajate Tongchua.
This set of works presents the viewpoint toward the space surrounding human beings, both created by us and by nature. With art as a medium to present the size and physical attributes, the focus is to point out the problems and change which occurs in each space. This is also to ask whether we are part of the problem ourselves and to assert that whatever way we live, each space is significant to us and that we have to share its social and environmental space.
Can you tell us about the production process?
Most of the time, when I get a concept or theme for an exhibition, I start by researching different sources. Then I analyse the information I get, like by talking and sharing experiences with other people. Then I begin to find the material and techniques I want to use that are related to the subjects I want to present. Then I start sketching each piece of work and try to figure out the way through which it will communicate with the viewers, for example through the language or the material itself.
Can you talk about the concept of some of your works?
For the roof made of milk cartons, I got the idea from major crises like the tsunami in 2004 or major flooding in 2011. People lost their space and possessions, and there were a lot of campaigns promoting the use of recycled materials. Usually these milk cartons are cut into little pieces and put through a compressing process to make a roof. Recycling is good, but this requires a great amount of milk cartons and a lot of effort in the production process. My work is to show how the problem can be solved more easily, without having to go through such a complicated process.
For the map, I wanted to talk about the world as it once was and as it is changing. The map is the version some of us are familiar with because it was used in school and while this stands for the perfect world it was at one time, the video shows how the world is constantly changing.
What’s the biggest challenge in this exhibition?
The concept of environment is such a vast subject matter. My problem is how to communicate and make the viewers understand in the most concise way. Another challenge is probably the arrangement of works in the exhibition space and the installation of the milk carton shed. I’ve tried arranging it in many ways because I had to consider its weight and structure. The obvious challenge is the transport because I produced this set of works in Chiang Mai.
Do you hope this exhibition will impact viewers in certain ways?
Perhaps this exhibition won’t have a direct impact on viewers, either in terms of their awareness or understanding. But as they begin to understand more about the works, viewers will start to notice and realise that it’s important to take care of the space shared by all.
“Size Space” is on show until April 30 at Tadu Contemporary Art, 2nd floor, Thaiyarnyon Building, Sukhumvit Soi 87.
