It took us awhile to get it going, but the Platform blog is now awake, active and ready to serve its intended purpose. Over the following weeks, the blog will be bringing you updated news, info and some behind-the-scenes images on the making of the Platform project. As we get closer and closer to About Installation's opening, we just get more and more excited about it. So we felt we just had to share our anticipation with you.
Let's start off with an overview of the first Platform exhibition Platform: About Installation. First, some info - the show will be featured at the Queen's Gallery and be open for viewing from Nov 9 - 30. However, the official opening of the exhibition will be on November 16 at 6-8pm.
The Platform project is curated by a very talented and super dyanmic duo - Ms. Manuporn Luengaram and Dr. David Teh who are working very hard to make this all come together. Platform has also recieved generous support from sponsors such as the Royal Ministry of Culture, Chulalongkorn University, The Australian Embassy and many others.
Now for a look at the About Installation artists and the pieces they are working on for the show...
Wit Pimkanchanapong - "Rocket Cab"
Wit's piece involves a number of suspended paper model rockets, like the rough prototype on the top left, with Thai taxi cab inspired paint jobs, like the four patterns seen below that. The idea for "Rocket Cab" was directly inspired from Wit's reaction to the space at the Queen's Gallery - in particular, the big, circular space that runs through the middle of the building. "I felt it looked like a secret rocket launch pad," he says. "It would be nice if it really had a rocket inside of it, even if the rocket is made out of paper." If you are a fan of art and crafts, you're in luck - Wit's work directly involves his viewers by actually letting them make the piece for him. Patterns for his multi-colored "Rocket Cabs" are provided in a comforatable sitting area so that the audience can particiapte by assembling their own rocket cabs and have it added to the piece.
Arin Rungjang - “Neons From Art Spaces”
Arin's piece is an installation that incorporates neon lights collected from over twenty art spaces in Paris such as Palais de tokyu, Contemporary Art Center Bregtiny, Mac/Val Contemporary Art Museum, Center George Pompidou and so on. These lights will be placed inside the space and turned on simultaneously, creating the effect of what Arin calls "inner mind traveling." The neons not only represent the different places he's traveled to but also the different art spaces where these lights were in use. The installation will also feature Arin's photo documentation of him collecting the lights as well as information regarding where each light came from.
Above is Arin's sketch of the installation layout.
This is the documentation of the removal of lights from GB Agency in Paris.
Pratchaya Phinthong (Tho) - "Together Alone"
Pratchaya's piece features a set up room made to feel like a personal space, such as bedroom, where the viewer can step inside, lie around and relax in. A TV in the room will be continuously showing a selection of hard-to-find, art house movies inspired by a film guide called "151 Cinema." Anyone is welcome to watch for as long as they want to. Tho says his piece discusses "issues about copyrighting, human rights, individualizing and publicizing processes, private and public areas, external and internal borders, limitations on capitalism and so on."
Sutthirat Supaparinya (Som) - "Orbited Objects"
Sutthirat will feature a darkened, planetarium-like tent where the audience can go inside armed with flaslight and illuminate the constellations themselves. Above is Som's sketch for "Orbited Objects" and to the left is a relevant image from Som's past work "Invisible Lines" that was shown at the Bangkok University Gallery. This new work carries on from Som's past work which involve illumination, stars and the universe.
Above, images of the making of "Orbited Objects."
The making of Som's cosmic tent. You sew, girl!
Angkrit Ajchariyasophon - "The Perfect English Gentleman"
Angkrit's installation for Platform will feature his attempt at becoming "The Perfect English Gentleman." In response to Thailand's obsession with Western influence and culture, Angkrit (whose name means "English" in Thai) will transform himself into a Western thinking Thai by subjecting himself to training in language, etiquette, tea-making and literature. These lessons will be filmed and shown at his exhibit space so viewers can see his gradual transformation. When he's not off attending lessons or training, Mr. Angkrit/Angloman will be at the exhibit himself in his tailored suit so you can meet him for yourself.