2018 Catalogue Archive

Korakrit Arunanondchai is drawn to the universal appeal of denim and often uses the material in his work. “There was suddenly a global influx of people wearing [denim], and I like that everyone liked it but it isn’t special, it’s normal and democratic.” For his live performances, Arunanondchai dresses as a denim-clad rock star and uses his whole body to smear paint onto denim canvases. Portions of the paintings are then burned, and photographs of fire are placed underneath the charred sections allowing the viewer to see the flame and its result simultaneously. The title of the painting refers to its role as a historical document, and is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the traditional genre of painting that fills the halls of world-renowned museums like the Louvre. Born and raised in Thailand, Arunanondchai received his graduate degree from RISD, and currently divides his time between New York City and Bangkok.