An introduction by Asst. Prof. (PHD.) Narin Rattanjan
The manifestation, existence and ever-changing nature of contemporary culture is based on the interest in an issue of that particular time. This, along with the technological discoveries, which effect the way we live, communicate and entertain ourselves, contribute to the way we perceive the world around us. It may be observed that there's a vast difference in our grandfather’s generation, in regard to the interest of contemporary culture, compared to our father generation or to ours. People who grew up during the exploration of the moon 40 years ago would be enjoying their news from the black and white television about the exciting discovery, which was the era's zeitgeist, the same way we enjoy our regular leisure today. Similarly, children also enjoy their leisure through a variety of cartoons and comics, which were created according to the changing social needs and fashion. In the past, and the present, comical illustration has been a very influential media to children and to their way of thinking. Likewise, parts of man’s nature in each and every era has been influenced by cartoon of his interest - ranging from Mickey Mouse to Superman, and from Doraemon to the recent Naruto the Ninja. Those pursuing this vision include a group of young contemporary artists who are turning that inspiration from cartoon into their endless artistic expression.
Getzo Sithinon Pongrakthum is one such person who drawn his inspiration from cartoon art, but his execution thereof goes beyond the trivial as he creates a very profound expression of intriguing unvoiced energy that emerges from within himself. Using mixed media including 2D, 3D and Installation, Getzo illustrates different memoirs drawn from the journey of life. Since graduating from an Art Institute, Getzo has continuously developed his work, which can be identified in 2 categories a series depicting emotional descent, and another depicting state of delight.
During his early development, Getzo communicated his feelings via abstract human forms inspired by depressive comical expressions. There’s only one solid centerpiece that represent the artist. It usually consist of “wings”, showing the desire to fly away from self-disbelieve, however the wings appeared to be useless and only add to the sorrowful nature of the piece. Further more, in his installations, the subject is usually composed to be in the middle of either an isolated empty space, or a cluttered small hidden gap in a congested interior area. This way of exhibiting creates a very strong effect on the audience, as the artist choose to theatrically set up his work using high contrast lighting. Red and blue lights set up the feeling of the loneliness, being lost in the deserted space, caged in the desperation to be understood by the outside world. The emotional anxiety created in Getzo’s works can be compared to “The Scream” by a Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch, whose work often denotes fear, disparity and inner angst.
Later on, the interaction between the artist and the outside world has changed as he became acquainted with more foreign friends and gained more appreciation for his art. This has inspired him to create his second series of works that, corresponding to his world, grew to be a lot more positive and delightful than before.
All through this period, the story of the artist was pleasantly illustrated in the midst of pleseant environment and optimistic nature. In his second series of work (during January), the composition had been adjusted to be more cheerful, with multiple centerpieces and shapes, movements and expressions that wasn’t as gloomy as his previous work. Stories about love and affiliation starting to appear in his work as he uses initials and photographs to indicate relationships. For example, he uses the letter “M” on certain figures that, although we can’t be certain of their sexual orientation as all figures were quite androgynous, we can guess that they represent a girl from the vibrant color in the hair and body. On the other hand, there’s also a letter “G”, for Getzo, written on other figures with different characteristic. In addition to the initials, he also used photographic collage of people in the background, suggesting the interaction between the artist and the others. In conclusion, this series of work has evolved to be more joyful with more colors introduced into the centerpieces and the supplement objects in his artwork. This, along with other techniques, interestingly reinforces the work's nature of delightfulness.
His current exhibit is a continuation of his previous series showing the artist’s personal perception, as suggested by the exhibition’s name: “The Story From My Mind”. Inspired by the shifting relationships between old and new acquaintances, the artist creates his art work by using line and shapes drawn on paper, then displayed in various spaces and documented them in photographic format - implying the incidents that has happened and still on going in the present.
There are 3 subject figures in this series, one is the artist, and the other two are his girlfriends named “Meya” and “Ticha”. The narration started off from the beginning of the relationship between the artist and “Meya” , which might have happened in a bookstore, and goes on to describe the relationship as it intensified. The figures were often displayed together in various places from his studio, to the Chawpraya river pier. Lastly, the piece named “Shoot & Do Not!” shows their relationship coming to an end when he shot her down with a gun that was blurred by masking tapes, mocking the media’s censorship. Although this image doesn’t portrait the aggressiveness of the situation, it represents the breaking point in their liaison, which leads to the last two images where the artist introduced “Ticha” as substitute to “Maya”, locating in the artist’s personal spaces. Overall, the narration from the beginning to the end was well executed, using the style of comic book frames that is familiar to the audience.
Although this series seems to be lacking in emotional, the artist’s strength in the past, there is an enhancement in his execution using the new technique of photographing hand drawn images from various setups. Using the 3 common elements in our daily lives, namely: comical illustrations, actual locations, and Photographic images, the artist beautifully and effectively tells a story of bittersweet relationship, which seems to be the inspiration for artist in very era. Therefore, there’s no difference in Getzo’s creative sublimination to one’s of the eastern and western historical masters, who created and upheld the contemporary culture in the past, present and beyond.
Reference:Faculty of Sculptural Printing & Fine Arts, Silpakorn University, Graduation Thesis exhibition catalog 2007, Bangkok, Amarin Printing Co., Ltd.
Shooting 2008
