Q&A: Navin Rawanchaikul
Q&A: Navin Rawanchaikul
August 1st, 2008Navin Rawanchaikul is one of the few Thai artists to have achieved major international recognition. He’s coming out with a massive “Art and Life Magazine” titled Navin’s Sala and an accompanying exhibition, see +art page 28.
How did you decide this was the right time for a retrospective?
I worked for two years on the book. I see the book as a retrospective. It’s both a review
and an expansion on what I have done. When I met with curator Steven Pettifor
we decided it could be made into a show.
How do you work? You have a workshop?
I head Navin Productions, which includes four to five full-time staff, based in Chiang Mai. It’s more of a production company than a workshop. I’m like a producer, or a film director. I direct other artists and come up with the concepts. Some work is branded under Navin Productions, some work is under my name.
What’s the statement behind the image of Curatorman standing in front of the Bangkok Art Center?
We’re questioning what is going to happen with the Bangkok Art Center. It also refers
to my way of working. It questions, what is the function of art. I’m quite flexible—
whatever people like.
Will the Navin Party have a candidate in the upcoming Bangkok elections?
Well, the Navin Party goes beyond places. We’re interested in how community is defined. It’s just too boring to deal with the government. The artist’s role is to be critical. I like to criticize but it’s not my job to go in and become governor.
How do you feel after the retrospective?
It’s been 15 years since I started out as a professional artist. Recently, I’ve tried to do fewer exhibitions and focus on bigger projects. I’d like to spend more time on community-based work.
.jpg "Escape Routes: Nov14, 2008")
