Kamolpan Chotvichai, In Between (2015). All photos courtesy of Sundaram Tagore Gallery
How many selfies have you taken today? And how does that number make you feel? Take some inspiration from Kamolpan Chotvichai. The Bangkok-based artist creates haunting black-and-white photographic self-portraits, then systematically slices away sections in thin strips with a utility knife. Carefully organizing the cutaways into sculptural forms, the final pieces assume a materiality and fragility that couldn’t be achieved simply with photo manipulation. They also, contrary to Instaselfies, deal with ideas of the lack of self, rather than its creation.
Advertisement
Chotvichai’s practice is inspired by the Buddhist concept of anatta: “not-self” or “no self.” The negation of identifying features, through the precise cutting of the photographs, paired with placeless, faceless images reflects this. But “no self” is just an influence, and the works aren’t tied exclusively to the artist’s cultural heritage.Whatever kind of spirituality you may or may not believe in, it’s unarguable that Chotvichai’s practice has a way of affecting some of our deepest human feelings. It might be the horror of a body slashed to spaghetti, the isolation of the manipulated body in a blank abyss, or maybe just the uncanny way you can see the gallery wall through the photo. Whatever it is, if you want to see for yourself, check out her show at Sundaram Tagore Gallery, her first solo show in New York City, on display until June 4. See a selection of the works in the show below:
ONE EMAIL. ONE STORY. EVERY WEEK. SIGN UP FOR THE VICE NEWSLETTER.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
