The effect of education on the formation of memories and values is reflected through artwork by Preecha Raksorn during "Once Upon A Time at Sanamluang", at VS Gallery, until June 23.
He took an inspiration from Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, a comedy-drama based on the actual murder of a Hollywood actor in the 1960s. It was directed by Quentin Tarantino who re-imagined the ending in which the victim survives while the murderers die.
In a similar way, Preecha presents the massacre by Thai police and paramilitary of innocent students on Oct 6, 1976, using a historic picture of The Chair Man (photographed by Neal Ulevich), but he adapts the content to reach new conclusions.
This artistic approach is imagined through his paintings and the accompanying illustration and colouring books for children.
Weeks before the opening of the exhibition, these supplemental items were sent to participating groups of people of different ages, who were either aware or unaware of the incident. They were invited to read the material, paint the colouring books and provide their opinion on the content they had viewed. Their responses and the items they read and modified are displayed and constitute elements in Preecha's exhibit.
The artist has also transformed the gallery space into a school auditorium with a podium and exhibition boards to present artefacts from educational institutions that have been left behind since the Cold War era.
The exhibition aims to encourage viewers to consider how educational textbooks can instil memories and values in the country's citizens.
VS Gallery is on Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Road and opens Wednesday to Sunday from 12.30pm to 6pm.
