The night laid a hundred eyes on my skin
Installation shown at Storage
2024, Bangkok, Thailand
Our house was attacked at night, by costumed men on horses, carrying spears. My family ran to the back of the house to a nearby canal, and hid under a bridge. We all huddled together.
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On one occasion I was bitten by a tiny rattle snake. Every day in order to appease the spirits and to ask for healing, I would bring small food offerings to a wild betel plant, where a good spirit lives.
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On another occasion sneaking from behind adult shoulders, I saw the buffalo’s intestines spread out on a checkered piece of textile. An old man was reading my aunt’s fortune in them.
When I asked my grandmother about these separate yet solid recollections, she shook with laughter. Your imagination ran wild, none of this happened, she chuckled.
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When I asked my close cousin whether she remembers, she nodded no and tells me that my mind has kneaded separate events into one. We only remember what feels important to us, she offers.
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Does it matters that things didn’t happen as I recall? I’m surely still shaped by this strange amalgamation of images, stories and ideas. They are close and concrete, they have angles and textures, I can wield worlds from them.
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Image credit: Atelier 247
The exhibition was kindly supported by OCA, Office for Contemporary Art, Norway