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You're There, You’re Not There

Sound installation, 2005

Interweaving Cultures Exhibition, Art Center at the Jim Thompson Thai House, Bangkok, Thailand (curated by Sachiko Namba, Grithiya Gaweewong, Ann Coxon) *catalog

“Supaparinya’s research into the legend of Jim Thompson shows that she understands the curiousity among Thai people-visitors and friends- about Thompson’s history and his disappearance. In an attempt to communicate with him, she has executed a sound installation that connects the historical past with our present understanding or perception of the man Jim Thompson.

Based on her interest in transferring or interpreting through her project the Buddhist idea of tha vai sang kha than (The action of offering something to a monk which may be pass to the spirit of a person.) She has described “The idea like ... we pass food or cloth to a dead person though the monk. It doesn’t matter those items of food or cloth really arrive to that person or not, but it is important that we try to communicate somehow... to hear something from someone... to say something with someone.”

“You are there.

You are not there.

You are there.

You are not there.

Let’s taste the way between us.”

Supaparinya explores the most sensitive issues relating to Thompson himself, his disappearance and his persona. As a response to visitor’s curiosity, she has created a sound installation at the exhibition space which connects aurally to Jim Thompson’s bedroom, in his house. This room is the last stop for visitor and tourists, who are always curious about his history. Audiences in the exhibition space are given the chance to listen to visitors and to guide conversation. People may attempt to talk to Jim Thompson (if they wish), or simply to each other.”

GG (one of curator)