Head High Second Floor, a non-profit art space in Chiang Mai, is holding the group exhibition "Touch Me", which portrays the figurative meaning of the exhibition's title through art, until July 23.
An oil on canvas by Paddy Thunvong. photo courtesy of Head High Second Floor
The term has a multi-layered meaning in English. Its literal meaning is to "make physical contact". Figuratively, it can refer to the act of evoking sympathy or feeling, bringing out real emotions. These feelings can be enriching, sad, or even happy. The exhibition explores these feelings through nudity and eroticism in art.
Nudity reveals, but also conceals and blurs, as it attracts and repels. The nude is the oldest genre of art and also the most enigmatic. To this day, the nude builds shaky bridges across the deep divide between high art and pornography.
Such works know how to be both at the same time -- an erotic source of inspiration and work of art. It is precisely this tightrope walk that the exhibition aims to demonstrate.
Various aspects of the genre are presented, including nudity in the context of ideals, self-determination, or homosexuality. More than 14 artistic positions are shown through painting, drawing, photography, video and installation by Thai and foreign artists.
They include Haritorn Akarapat, Bangkok Wet Dream, Vichit Chaiwong, Orit Drori, Olivier Fauchereau, Krynkana Kongpetch, Oat Montien, Sophirat Muangkum, Pare Patcharapa Inchang, Pisut Srisuwan, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Paddy Thunvong, Myrtille Tibayrenc, and Doe Youngyu.
Head High Second Floor is on Huay Kaew Road, Muang district of Chiang Mai and opens Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm to 7pm.
Visit head-high-second-floor.com or call 061-686-0660.
