Korakrit Arunanondchai Presents “Sing Dance Cry Breathe | as their world collides onto the screen” at Museum MACAN
Museum MACAN in Jakarta has announced an upcoming landmark exhibition, Sing Dance Cry Breathe | as their world collides onto the screen, showcasing the works of Korakrit Arunanondchai. This marks the first major solo exhibition in Indonesia for the Thailand-born, U.S. and Bangkok-based artist, known for his multidisciplinary approach to art. The exhibition will be open from November 30, 2024 to April 6, 2025 and features an array of Arunanondchai’s works, including renowned video installations, paintings, and newly-created, site-specific installations.
Exploring Identity, Spirituality, and Universal Themes
Arunanondchai’s art delves deeply into themes of identity, memory, life, death, spirituality, and the human condition. Drawing from his personal experiences and Thai cultural heritage, his works explore the intersection of contemporary life with traditional beliefs. Through his multidisciplinary pieces, Arunanondchai invites viewers to ponder universal questions of existence, cultural identity, and the unseen forces that shape our lives.
Venus Lau, director of Museum MACAN, shared the museum’s excitement about hosting the exhibition. “We are delighted to announce Sing Dance Cry Breathe | as their world collides onto the screen, the first major solo presentation of works by Korakrit Arunanondchai in Indonesia. This exhibition will present a diverse array of Arunanondchai’s artistic explorations, delving into themes around humanity and spirituality central to his work,” Lau said. “We look forward to inviting visitors to experience the profound and thought-provoking world of Korakrit Arunanondchai’s art at this landmark exhibition.”
Phoenix, Fire, and the Cycle of Transformation
Symbolism of the phoenix and fire, motifs commonly seen in Arunanondchai’s work, reappear in this exhibition, embodying his exploration of creation, destruction, and eternal transformation. These recurring themes mirror the artist’s contemplation of the ongoing evolution of cultural identity in the face of modernization and globalization. Arunanondchai uses these symbols to represent the renewal, adaptation, and resilience of cultures over time, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence and the balance between preservation and change.
Highlights of the Exhibition
The exhibition will feature two of Arunanondchai’s significant video works, both rich in complex themes tied to spirituality and memory.
In No history in a room filled with people with funny names 5 (2018), created in collaboration with American filmmaker Alex Gjovic and frequent collaborator Tosh Basco, Arunanondchai draws inspiration from the “Ghost Cinema” ritual practiced in Northeast Thailand. This ritual involves monks projecting films onto temple walls, creating a shared viewing experience for both the living and the spirits. The installation captures the fluidity between the physical and spiritual realms, delving into themes of ancestral memory and illustrating how tradition helps sustain community identity.
In Songs for Living (2021), Arunanondchai reflects on life’s continuity beyond human time. The piece portrays spirits returning to bodily form, ready to be reborn, and integrates elements like fire, water, and a burning Garuda — a mythical bird-like creature from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. These recurring symbols represent cycles of death, decay, and rebirth, encouraging viewers to contemplate the afterlife, renewal, and the transient nature of existence. Through these elements, Songs for Living invites a meditation on the impermanence of life and the cycles that connect past, present, and future.
An Immersive Experience of Art and Heritage
In addition to these video installations, the exhibition will present a range of Arunanondchai’s paintings, including a new painting installation and a variety of works that have never been shown publicly before. Visitors of the museum will have the unique opportunity to witness the artist’s dynamic approach to artmaking, where video, painting, and site-specific installations create a multidimensional reflection on humanity, tradition, and spirituality.
Arunanondchai and his Paintings
Get to Know the Artist: Korakrit Arunanondchai
Korakrit Arunanondchai’s work explores the transformative power of storytelling. Each project expands his universe of interconnected narratives through immersive video installations, paintings, objects, and performance pieces. His videos are a process of reflection, incorporating not only personal experiences but also political events, historical contexts, and questions about our crisis-ridden present.
Born in Bangkok and working between Bangkok and New York, Arunanondchai often draws on the cultural landscapes of his own biography and places marked by postcolonial trauma. Using a mix of essayistic and experimental methods, he collaborates with multiple artists to blend audio and visual elements from a variety of sources. Referencing philosophy and mythology, his narratives interweave explorations of consciousness, empathy, and community.
Museum MACAN’s presentation of Sing Dance Cry Breathe | as their world collides onto the screen promises an evocative and immersive experience that brings together the universal and the personal, inviting audiences to connect with Arunanondchai’s exploration of identity and heritage. The exhibition opens November 30, 2024, and will run until April 6, 2025, marking an exciting moment in the Indonesian art landscape.
Interested in reading about more artists like Korakrit Arunanondchai? Check out our Creative Spotlight with Nadine Meriel here.
