Contemporary artist Pichet Klunchun rose to prominence after his talk at TEDx Bangkok, but that's not the reason we're featuring him. Passionate about dance, he has created Dancing With Death, the newest and largest contemporary dance performance from Pichet Klunchun Dance Company.
Dancing With Death is dazzling performance, presenting isan values -- music, dance, costume and spiritual belief -- and is scheduled to be performed this year in Singapore and Japan.
Yes, that's right. Not in Thailand. At least not yet. But we can make it happen. Guru speaks with Pichet about this performance, why it should be brought to Thai audiences, and how crowdfunding can change its fate.
What is Dancing With Death?
Photos: Nattapol Meechart
It talks about folk arts, which Pichet Klunchun Dance Company had never done before, so it's quite a challenge for us. It talks about humans' limitation, which is death, in a Buddhist sense. More than anything, we want to present Thai theatrical performance to the world.
Why Singapore and Japan, but not Thailand?
Our world premiere is at TPAM in Yokohama, on Feb 7-8. We are trusted by other countries because we have worked with them for years, and they know our quality. In Thailand, however, we do not get enough financial support -- it takes a lot of money to make a performance happen. There is no dance festival in Thailand for us to present our show in. The private sector here also doesn't really support pure art if there's no one extremely famous involved. Pichet Klunchun Dance Company is not that famous among Thai people.
How much support is needed to make it happen?
Pichet Klunchun. Photo: Suthas Rungsirisil
To make it happen, we need more funds apart from ticket sales in order to organise the show. We have to rent a large-scale theatre for one week for setting up and rehearsals, to rent a large amount of light and sound equipment, to pay the travel costs for production crew from aboard, to pay for the fees of all production team members and to pay all necessary operation expenses.
What do you think about art and crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a way to help artists connect with and support each other, which is incredible. In the past, we had mae yok (supporters), and this is essentially the same, but more systematic and efficient. Everyone can be a supporter in their own capacity. In turn, artists feel assured that their work is appreciated.
Why should Thai people see your show?
Because it's about Thai culture, produced by a Thai group for Thai people.
You can support Dancing With Death on meefund.com or find out more at http://fb.com/pklifework. The project will be performed in Thailand if at least B3.99 million is pledged by Apr 28. If that amount is not reached, pledges will be returned to backers.
