Copper plates, holes in the wall, plywood. At first glance, "Pixel Horizon" by Montri Toemsombat doesn't seem that expressive. The sheets of copper reflect the light against the white walls of the 100 Tonson Gallery, the use of space is aesthetically interesting, but an overall artistic statement isn't immediately apparent.
"Pixel" is most commonly associated with points on a computer display rather than fist- or finger-sized holes bored into the wall. Traces of sketches by installation artist Rirkrit Tiravanija from a previous exhibition are visible through some of them _ while in plywood sheets against the wall the breaches are rough, as if the artist stopped halfway through cutting them. In the adjoining small room are a barbed-wire sculpture and three digital prints, two of which are intentionally torn.
On second and third glance, however, the exhibition begins to take a collective shape. Titles such as Social Pressure Effect and Love Is Nothing About the Absolute Monarchy, Be not Afraid of it if Orgasm Can't be Achieved suggest the works involve socio-political commentary. The pixels of the title reference Montri's digital manipulation techniques from previous photography exhibitions _ where very small elements can provide insight on broader wholes. Inside the holes are small clumps of sticky rice and emperor moth eggs, suggesting a connection to nature.
The artist spoke to Brunch about some of the other ideas behind the exhibition and the construction of individual artworks.
Several pieces have two rows of holes, he said, one at eye level and the other at groin level to point to a duality of human impulses and hint at the relationship between society and sexuality, and society's tendency towards censorship and regulation. The rice and moth eggs are a characteristic element of many of Montri's works, taken from his home village in Chaiyaphum _ thus a connection to his roots as well as to nature.
There are many other facets of the works that are deeply personal to him. The eye visible on the largest copper plate is that of a former partner. The design below the eye is an abstract of two men kissing. One convex plate of copper resembles the shape of a pregnant woman. The materials of wood and copper are at once resilient and flexible _ characteristic of gays in society as they adapt and express themselves within and against cultural norms. Thus the exhibition intends to create awareness in order to limit society's control over sexuality.
Montri, born in 1975, graduated from Chulalongkorn University's faculty of fine and applied arts and has exhibited on several continents, although "Pixel Horizon" is his first conceptual installation on homosexuality and queer life in a social context.
It is an installation and a context that sharpen into focus once the works have time to settle, as the intentions give shape to the materials and the subtle artistry has a chance to resonate.
'Pixel Horizon' by Montri Toemsombat runs until April 8 at 100 Tonson Gallery. Call 02-684-1527 or visit www.facebook.com/100TonsonGallery.
CONNECTED: Left, ‘New Fashion Order; Dissolution’ and below, ‘Open to Connect’.
