Impact of human choice showcased at Bangkok museum
A solo exhibition by contemporary Thai artist Sakarin Krue-On delves into the impact of human choices on morals, transcending time and cultures.
Rather than criticise progress or traditional society, his work highlights the effect of human actions on others. It encourages us to reflect on the moment we choose to act towards good or evil, regardless of culture or time.
On a different level, the exhibition revolves around universal ethical problems related to the conflict described by ancient Greek historian Thucydides between utility and justice, namely the prioritisation of self-interest against the idea of pursuing ethical principles, a dilemma to which all men of all times and places are subjected.
The centrepiece, "Monument of an Awakening Era," features white porcelain deer antlers emerging from a dark basin of water. This installation serves as a poignant reminder of how human greed has led to the extinction of magnificent animals, posing a looming threat to our habitat and urges us to take responsibility for our actions and strive towards a better future.
“Upside down” is a huge tapestry hung from the ceiling. It depicts a composition inspired by an old Indian miniature, a tiger-hunting scene. The reverse of the tapestry is embroidered with the word “Ethic”.
The work is a rich exploration of cultural heritage and ethics, using symbolism to convey complex ideas and provoke contemplation on the effects of human actions in a comparison between tradition and contemporaneity.
"Kra-Tua Taeng Seua, A Tiger Hunt" is a video installation inspired by a once-celebrated traditional folktale depicting a tiger hunt in the southern regions of Thailand.
The artwork blurs the boundaries between the physical and virtual realms, inviting viewers to consider the layers of meaning within the folktale while also reflecting on the permeability of cultural narratives and shared experiences.
The "Lotus Pod" represents a meaningful and symbolic flower, a metaphor for Buddhist spirituality, but its graphic and harsh shape also resembles a gun bullet.
This masterpiece captures the contradiction between the peaceful principles espoused by Thailand’s cultural and religious heritage and the rigidity of the actual social and political structure.
“This solo exhibition was originally scheduled many years ago, but many obstacles including the Covid-19 pandemic caused the event to be postponed,” the artist said.
The exhibition is being held in temporary exhibition rooms 1&2 at the privately owned Museum of Contemporary Arts on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district until January 23. It is open daily except Monday from 10am to 6pm.
