Synopsis
(Title named after When Faith Moves Mountains by Francis Alÿs)3 – channel video, Audio, Apple ProRes 422 File,16:9, 1920 × 1080 pixel/channel
Colour, 20 min 25 sec, 25 fps, Thai language with English subtitle
The video led you to observe the processing of the two large hydro and lignite power plants that are sited on active fault zones in Thailand. The weight of water pressures on the site and dramatic changes in the terrain’s shape, such as mining, trigger the move of the earth, made by humans.
Artist statement
I am a consumer of electricity, so it is my duty to know how it is produced and the impact that has on the environment. When Need Moves the Earth” examines large scale electricity production and its environmental impact at Thailand’s Srinakarin Dam site and the Mae Moh Lignite mine. The Srinakarin Dam and the mine are located in an area of active seismic faults, and additional stress from the construction can potentially produce man-made earthquakes.Land deployment always has two sides: some people may gain profit, but all of us lose out in a more general sense. I encourage viewers to witness, with me, the impact of large scale construction in a sensitive geological environment and I invite them to consider less hazardous construction practices and alternative methods to secure safe and efficient energy production.
Reviews
- Julie Chun Translated by: 陈煜峰, Making Visible What is Unseen, Randian, 29 December 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2020 (PDF)
- Kerlow, I., & Han, C. (2014). The EOS Art Projects 2010-2013. Singapore: The Earth of Observatory of Singapore. [PDF]
- UNEARTHED, 2014, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore [PDF]
- S., Ciclitira & E. D. Lallo (Eds.). (2016). Prudential Eye Awards Contemporary Asian Art. Milano, Italy: Skira Editore S.p.A. [PDF]
- Curatorial Team, Chang, G., & Wong, A. (2014). Unseen Existence – Dialogues with the Environment in Contemporary Art: Exhibition. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Arts Centre. [PDF]
- Fitzpatrick, M., Packer, M., Guerrero, I., Didion, J., O’Brien, S., & O’Toole, E. (2018). In N. Dunphy (Ed.), EVA 38th International Ireland Biennial. Limerick City, Ireland: EVA International [PDF]
- Elevations-Contemporary Art Projects in Laos, Erin Gleeson, and Gary Stafford, Spellbrook Foundation, 2019, Vientiane, Laos PDR [Downlode PDF file] PDFweb
- Philippa Lovatt, Collapsing Clouds Form Stars, a Mini Retrospective of Work by Som Supaparinya, March 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, Gallery VER
- Lin Qi, Awards celebrate emerging Asian artists’ take on issues, China Daily USA, Feb 2, 2016, download PDF file
- Kaona Pongpipat, Thais take the Lion City, Bangkok Post (Life), 3 February 2016 (PDF)
- Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, Hour At The Museum: Prudential Eye Awards at the ArtScience Museum, The Straits Times, 29 January 2016 [download PDF file]
- MIKA APICHATSAKOL, Three Thai on top, Guru, Bangkok Post, 15 January 2016 [PDF]
- Sylvia Tsai, Unseen Existence: Dialogues With The Environment in Contemporary Art, Art Asia Pacific, Issue 92 Mar/April 2015, Hong Kong, p 144 (PDF)
- ภานุ บุญพิพัฒนาพงศ์, Soil and Stones, Souls and Songs รวมมิตรศิลปะชามโต ของศิลปินหลากหลายชาติพันธุ์ (จบ), Matichon Weekend มติชน สุดสัปดาห์ คอลัมน์ อะไร(แม่ง)ก็เป็นศิลปะ, 4-10 August 2017, Bangkok, Thailand [download PDF file]
- ภานุ บุญพิพัฒนาพงศ์, Soil and Stones, Souls and Songs รวมมิตรศิลปะชามโต ของศิลปินหลากหลายชาติพันธุ์ (1), Matichon Weekend มติชน สุดสัปดาห์ คอลัมน์ อะไร(แม่ง)ก็เป็นศิลปะ, 28 July-3 August 2017, Bangkok, Thailand [download PDF file]
Credits
| Direction: Som Supaparinya Director of Photography: Chatchai Suban Editor: Som Supaparinya |
| Assistant Director: Monruadchanan Laphatphakkhanut Sound Editor: Nakarin Rodput Sound Designer: Arnont Nongyao |
| Main Camera: Chatchai Suban Second Camera: SomSupaparinya Camera Assistant: Thanayos Roopkhajorn |
| Sound recordist: Som Supaparinya |
| Color Correction: Som Supaparinya English Correction: Robert Low, Jessica Loh |
| Stock media credits Photograph archives, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Srinagarind Dam Google Map: ©2013 DigitalGlobe, TerraMetrics, Map dta ©2013 Google, Tele Atlas |
| Special thanks to: |
| Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Mae Moh Power Plant and Mae Moh Lignite Mine Mr. Somyot Therawongskul: Assistant Director EGAT Mae Moh Lignite Mine Mr. Kittikij Svetsarnee, Mae Moh Mining Museum Director Public Relations Department: Mr. Dejnarong Suriya: Head of Public Relation Department, Mr. Teera Thareepueech: Public Relation Staff Mine Department Mr. Siriwat Techata: Shift Engineer Mr. Tayuporn Intarachit: Shift Engineer Mr. Aumpon Koghanil: Mine Staff Mr. Supan Jaisuk: Unit Operator Mr. Choonpol Katepoo: Spoiler Pool Unit 4 |
| Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Srinagarind Dam Mr. Prasert Thomrongwisava: Assistant Director EGAT Mae Moh Lignite Mine Public Relation Department Mrs. Kritsana Dangaram: Public Relation Staff, Mr. Mongkol Chamchoi: Media Staff, Mr. Lertchaipat Kongsomnate: Public Relation Staff Hydroelectricity Department Mr. Wuttichai Phraechunya: Unit Operator, Mr. Sakol Augsorntanawat: Unit Operator Dam Maintenance Mr. Smarn Thonthodthan: Civil Engineer, Mr. Trithap Prathueng: Civil Engineer |
| Geological Consultant in Thailand: Dr. Sarawute Chantraprasert, Lecturer at Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University |
| EOS VAP (Earth Observatory of Singapore-Visiting Artist Program) Isaac Kerlow, Syuhaidah Binte, Azlin Deena Shareena, Kamisan Wang Xin EOS researchers Dr. Aron Meltzner, Judith Hubbard, Sywain Babbot, Marie Etches, Dr. Christos Gouramanis |
| Funding was provided by the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Visiting Artist Program |
