The Ontology of Gold : Magic Mountains
สัตตแห่งทอง : ภูเขาอัศจรรย์
Artistic Research Project by jiandyin (Jiradej and Pornpilai Meemalai)
In Collaboration with Thongdaeng Manjai, Thonglor Wisapak, Sopit Keawswasdi, Chopaka Khamchang, Kanyapak Pupanasaeng, Saman Kwankaew, Namwan Fangsanoh, Kampir Khamchang, Wasupol Mayim, Wuthipong Fangsanoh, Somporn Mongkhonrat
Location : Phichit province
Part of the Dialogue : Seeing and Being ongoing project 2010 – 2017
Exhibition at : Cartel Artspace, June 24- July 25 2017
Work title: Leap into the Void (After the Gold Mine)
2017, inkjet print, color
Photographer: Anupong Charoenmitr
Performer: Suphan Karanyaprasert
Leap into the Void (After the Gold Mine) is one of the work results of an ongoing artistic research project, the Ontology of Gold: Magic Mountains, the photograph was taken at the real site, showing a man jumping off from an abandoned building, leaving a ruined place / a community. The building which belongs to the temple at case study village, was under-construction and left abandoned. The site used to be a community center where local residents came and gathered for religion activities.
The Ontology of Gold: Magic Mountains is a development of jiandyin’s “Dialogue: Seeing and Being” project. jiandyin have imaginatively explored the paradoxical coexistence of life, illness, death, myth and modernity, and its enduring impact, both emotionally and physically on local communities living near one of the biggest industrial gold mine in Thailand.
The project has involved 11 local villagers, including a 7-year old child, from Ban Khao Mo Community in central Pichit province who live near or work in gold mining areas and who have high levels of cyanide, toxic chemical compound used in gold extraction. These villagers have suffered from illness as a result of a modern gold mining operation which contaminates their surrounding environment, at the same time, they have also experienced emotional effects concerning their future life as if they are leaping into the dark void of uncertainty.
Summary text written by Manuporn Luengaram on occasion of Ontology of Gold exhibition at Cartel Artspace, 2017