Modern technology allows people to capture a dozen pictures per second with a smartphone. In the 19th century, one single photograph on collodion wet plate required an hour of setting up, and for the subject to pose, a process of artistic endeavour unthinkable to the instant generation.
Wet collodion photography, an early photographic technique, is but an extinct practice. So a rare chance has arrived for Thai viewers: from now until July 28, the National Archives of Thailand presents "Celebrating The National Glass Plate Negative Registered As Unesco Memory Of The World" exhibition at the National Gallery, showcasing 150 photos chosen from the National Archives of Thailand's collection of 35,427 wet plate collodions.
"The aims are to encourage public appreciation of the importance of national archives and to celebrate the registration of wet plate collodions, from the Vajirayan Royal Library, as the Unesco Memory of the World in 2017," said Fine Arts Department director-general Anandha Chuchoti. "One hundred and fifty photos out of more than 30,000 wet plate negatives have been selected for display at this exhibition."
King Rama VI poses for his coronation day photo at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Photos courtesy of Fine Arts Depa rtment
The exhibition covers eight topics that altogether present a near-complete picture of Siamese life in the 19th century. First, "Thailand Through Glass Plate Negatives" featuring photos of kings and the royals' interest in photography, especially King Rama V and his children taking pictures. Second, "The National Icons Enduring Symbols Of Thailand" featuring Thai symbols, such as elephants and pavilions. In the next topic, "Royal Ceremonies Of Grace and Splendour" presents photos of coronation ceremonies for King Rama V, King Rama VI and King Rama VII, royal ploughing ceremonies, royal cremations, King Rama V's royal visits to the South and other royal visits.
Speeding through time, the fourth subject is "The Path To Modernisation", which records modernisation in Siam, including public transportation and a postal service. The fifth topic "The Classical Beauty In Thai Arts And Traditional Culture" showcases everyday life, from houses to trade and culture, to fruits, fishing, garland making, even haircut activities.
From people and culture, the exhibition also covers "Magnificent Perspectives Of New Roads And Architecture", which showcases grand architecture such as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho, Wat Rachathiwat, the British Embassy and foreign companies in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace in Phetchaburi, Phanom Rung Temple in Buri Ram and more. Moving on to "Prominent Personalities In Thai History", presenting influential figures during the fourth to fifth reigns, including monarchs, viceroys, royals, officials and monks. Finally, the final topic is "Their Majesties The Kings And International Relations" showcasing pictures of King Rama V's visits to Java Island and Europe, King Rama VI's visit to the Malay Peninsula and Singapore and King Rama VII's visit to Indochina in 1930 which reflects the ties between Siam and other countries.
Samples for exhibition.
"Some good examples include the photo of soldiers waiting at Sanam Luang during the coronation ceremony, or that of Klong Sa Bua in Ayutthaya and that of the royal ploughing ceremony at Thung Phaya Thai, which is now Phra Mongkut Hospital," said Anandha. "Very few people know the ploughing ceremony was once performed there. Also, there are pictures that record signs of civilisation, such as that of a vacuum cleaner being used at Dusit Palace in the Fifth Reign and that of Park Samsen which is now Vajira Hospital."
Throughout the two-month period, the exhibition also offers a range of complementary activities. Photographers are offered to showcase their own photos, while practitioners of collodion photography can donate their wet-plate works to the National Archives of Thailand. Collectors and history buffs will also gather to help identify the names of people, places and events in old photographs. There are also seminars, a retro photo studio, and the demonstration of wet collodion photography.
"Khun Sirikitiya Jensen [the youngest daughter of Princess Ubolratana and an official of the Fine Arts Department] is going to show the photos she has taken," Anandha said. "Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat gave a talk about on glass plate negatives and their inclusion as Unesco Memory of the World."
The royal ploughing ceremony at Thung Phaya Thai.
This collection of 35,427 wet plate photographs was recognised by Unesco because they are important historical records that reflect the way of life, art and culture prior to the age of film photography. These negatives were produced from the reign of King Rama V to the reign of King Rama VII. They are portraits and record incidents and places through the eyes of kings, royals, bureaucrats and photographers with different perspectives, photography composition and presentation approaches. Some extraordinary pieces were captured by King Rama V himself.
Photography was introduced to Siam in the reign of King Rama III by French missionaries led by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix and Father L'Abbe Larnaudie. The French clergy taught the art to Phraya Krasabkijkosol (Mod Amatayakul), Luang Akkaneenaruemitr (Jit Jitrakhanee) and Phra Preechakollakan (Sam-ang Amatayakul), the first batch of Siamese photographers.
The collodion process is a photographic technique invented by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer in 1851. It was improved from the Daguerreotype technique (coating a metal plate with a chemical solution) to coating a glass plate with a mixture of chemicals. Glass plates can be divided into two kinds: the collodion wet plate negative and the gelatin dry plate. The wet plate collodion process was popular from 1851-1880 and very complicated. The plate would be soaked in a solution of silver nitrate in the dark room and exposed in a camera while still wet. It would be developed by pouring another solution and fixed with another strong solution. The negatives would be in light brown and dark brown tones. Meanwhile, the gelatin dry plate technique was developed from the wet plate collodion approach by Richard Leach Maddox in 1871 by coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive gelatin emulsion instead. Negatives were in grey to black colours.
Trade by boat and carts in Uttaradit.
In Siam, collodion photography was better known in the reign of King Rama IV, initially among the elite due to expensive costs. It became popular among royals, aristocrats and photography lovers in the reign of King Rama V. During this reign, Prince Damrongrajanuphap, chairman of Vajirayan Royal Library, founded archives of historic documents and photos. He gathered King Rama V and King Rama VI's wet plate collodions as well as those taken by himself and some others from Chaya Norasingh photo gallery run by King Rama VI's royal court. However, collodion photography became less popular after the emergence of film photography in 1929.
Later, the wet collodions gathered by Prince Damrongrajanuphap were given to the Office of National Museums and later to the National Archives of Thailand, both under the Fine Arts Department. In various sizes ranging from 4-12 inches, they are kept in specially designed teak wooden boxes and tagged with paper written in blue ink.
In 2003, the National Archives of Thailand started applying modern technology in digitising the wet plate collodions so as to conserve this collection and historical information and ensure quick and convenient access to glass plate negatives.
"This exhibition is a must-see because it is the National Archives of Thailand's first-ever and largest exhibition on wet plate collodions. Thai people should not miss the opportunity to look at these negatives which 'seize' the moments in the past for us to witness, including what happened in the palaces during the fifth to seventh reigns and captured by the kings themselves," National Archives of Thailand director Nanthaka Pollachai said.
The wet plate collodion negatives are kept at the National Archives of Thailand.
From left: The personal library of King Rama VI at Chitralada Palace; The wet plate collodion negatives are kept at the National Archives of Thailand.
The exhibition is open 9am-7pm on Wednesday-Sunday except public holidays at the National Gallery on Chao Fah Road. Visit http://thaiglassnegative.com or call 02-281-1599 ext 222 during office hours on weekdays.
