The beauty of digital destruction

The beauty of digital destruction

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Art lovers have a chance to see works by prominent photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom in his latest exhibition titled "Lost" on view at Kathmandu Photo Gallery until Aug 29.

'Lost' by Manit Sriwanichpoom. (Photos courtesy of Kathmandu Photo Gallery)

This unusual photographic series was accidentally created when Manit tried to scan old glass negatives from 1964-68 taken by Liang Ewe, a photographer and owner of a photography studio in Phuket, with a digital scanner. In the modern age, people expect that a modern machine will transfer old-style photos into digital format accurately.

However, the result was the opposite of expectation as many photos were distorted. Sitters in the photos are cut across by thick lines. Some of their body parts and facial features were missing. With incomplete compositions, the photos in "Lost" are more intriguing.

When looking at photos, especially old ones, many of us are curious to know more about the people in the picture. We wonder who they are and what they did that day. Manit points out that this photographic series doesn't have any details about any sitters in the photos, even their names since they are ordinary people.

"In a country like Thailand, history is about rulers or important people. We tend not to promote or encourage the writing of the history of commoners as if their stories are meaningless and worthless to remember," said Manit.

Manit has been creating and exhibiting contemporary art for over 30 years. He is known for The Pink Man Series (1997), which criticises consumerism and politics through a man in a hot pink suit.

Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/kathmanduphotogallery for more information.

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