Title: Dark Was the Night - ผีพุ่งไต้
Format: Two-channel video installation
Technical Specification: 4K Colours and Black & White, 5.1 Surround Sound
Duration: 15’30”mins
Year: 2024
Bangkok, 9 May 2024 – SAC Gallery is delighted to announce the opening of Dark Was the Night, the third solo exhibition by artist Taiki Sakpisit at SAC Gallery. Following the internationally acclaimed successes of Until the Morning Comes solo exhibition (2018) and Seeing in the Dark solo exhibition (2021), Sakpisit, whose film The Edge of Daybreak won the prestigious FIPRESCI Award at the 2021 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and a multitude of other accolades, presents a captivating new exploration that promises a multisensory journey through the cosmos of memory and loss.
Emerging amidst the 2023 Thai general election, the exhibition concept juxtaposes the yearning for a brighter future with the harsh reality of entrenched power structures. This sparks a desire for a oneiric landscape, reflected in the ethereal soundscapes and optical textures that evoke a dream state.
To create this, Sakpisit takes inspiration from the way nocturnal creatures navigate the darkness of the night. Just as animals rely on sound for navigation, the gallery enshrouded in shadow becomes a near-womb-like space echoing with the immensity of space. The exhibition unfolds across the entirety of SAC Gallery’s expansive first-floor space. Visitors, relying on intuition and senses, become participants in this journey. Visitors will explore themes of resilience, the yearning for a brighter future, and the enduring power of memory.
Upon entering the exhibition, a captivating two-channel video installation creates a mysterious conversation with the rest of the artworks. One screen takes centre stage on a dedicated wing, while the other beckons from the left wing. This immersive piece explores a woman’s emotional state following separation from a loved one, drawing viewers into a world where dreams and reality blur beneath a canopy of stars.
Across from the main video installation, on the left wing, a captivating companion screen entices viewers with its content, integral to the narrative. Nestled nearby, a mesmerising orbiting sculpture stands in silent observation, its movement echoing the celestial dance depicted in the surrounding collection of evocative etching prints and photographs. Together, these elements create a unified experience, bridging the gap between waking consciousness and the Hypnagogic state.
Sakpisit’s artistry delves deeper, drawing inspiration from the cosmic canvas, the cyclical dance of celestial bodies, personal traumas, and a significant moment in Thai history. The video installation, photographs, light boxes, etchings, and motorised sculpture, infused with these references, become a portal, inviting viewers to contemplate the enduring bond of family, the relentless pull of time, and the echoing memories that resurface from the depths of our past.
Sakpisit’s works, like a time-vessel into the cosmic ocean, offer a chance for connection and reflection.
Prepare to be transported by Dark Was the Night. This multisensory journey, a layered exploration of memory and loss, awaits. As you navigate the twilight space, enveloped by the sounds of space, the sights and sounds will spark a dialogue within. Allow them to unlock your own memories, dreams, and aspirations.