Swiss inspiration
THAI ARTIST ARIN RUNGJAENG DRAWS PARALLELS BETWEEN THE ORAL HISTORIES OF THAILAND AND SWITZERLAND
Installation artist Arin Rungjaeng has created a sculpture formed by a thousand golden teardrops — a symbol of the historical relations between Siam and Portugal — and last year he unveiled a solemn bas relief that commented upon the military past of Thailand.
In one of his latest projects, Arin turns his eyes to something more horological. Something, also, more luxurious but still historically relevant. Having visited Vallée de Joux, the home of Audemars Piguet, Arin has created a set of videos and photos as part of the special exhibition by the timepiece brand currently ongoing at Central Embassy.
“From Le Brassus To Bangkok” is one of the largest collections of horological innovations to have ever been displayed in Asia — second only to AP’s previous showcase in Shanghai. The name refers to a region in Switzerland where AP is based.
“Personally, it’s a very important moment because our friends in Southeast Asia can get to see something that from now on, you’ll need to go to Switzerland in order to see,” reveals Jonathan King, CEO for Southeast Asia, Audemars Piguet. “We will be opening a new museum in Brassus at the end of next year, so this is the last time that such a collection will be outside of the museum.”
In this showcase which was uniquely created, curated and produced specifically for Bangkok, over 50 historical timepieces have been chosen from the museum to display the maison’s innovations and artistry since 1875.
Some of the stunning pieces include worldfirsts such as an Art Deco timepiece from the 1930s, the original Royal Oak Offshore launched in 1993 and jewellery pieces flaunting baguette diamonds and minuscule dials that keen eyesight as well as style are required in order to be able to pull off. Most likely to be appreciated by Thai audiences is a model resplendent in pink gold that was created specifically for Thailand, namely the Royal Oak King of Thailand 80th Birthday Watch, to celebrate King Bhumibol’s 80th birthday in 2008.
A lab has also been erected and the Audemars Piguet Museum director himself, Sebastian Vivas, is currently in Bangkok to give visitors a close-up tour to see and hear all the tinklings of the world’s thinnest self-winding pieces, among other technical innovations.
However, visitors are all in the hands of Arin when it comes to being transported to Vallée de Joux.
Arin, who has previously made his rounds at global-scale events such as the Venice Biennale, Documenta and Shanghai Biennale, is the very first Thai artist to be featured by AP. Those inside the art circle will know that AP is a force to be reckoned with, as the brand has been a sponsor of the contemporary arts (besides other giant patrons such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton), as well as a partner of Art Basel for the past six years.
For this exhibition, Arin has created stills and a 15-minute video that brings viewers to the Swiss valley. Breathtaking landscapes and stunning nature are to be expected, but what the artist also brings is a touch of his trademark captivation on war-centric anecdotes. Like other previous artists who have been invited to Vallée de Joux for inspiration, Arin’s movie touches on memories of the people within this watchmaking valley. Having a father who worked abroad in Germany as an engineer before suffering abused by Nazis during World War II gives a personal connection and curiosity for Arin to explore the migration accounts that this area retains.
“I was always curious about Switzerland because it was neutral during World War II. Yet, it was actually a hub for people of so many backgrounds,” says Arin. “I talked to someone from Kosovo who escaped war and now works at AP, as well as a cleaning lady who came from Portugal. These stories are part of my work.”
Set against a dreamy images of snow-covered trees and moss-covered rocks, texts indicate the area’s more compelling background that is rife with historical significance.
For his work, Arin has interviewed a handful of locals in order to uncover stories that would otherwise be lost in time.
“There’s this house picture you see,” Arin says as he points to his still of a wood cottage in a forest.
“It’s like a cottage that people who go cut wood bunk at for the night if they don’t leave before nightfall. But during World War II, it became shelter for escaping Jews and rebels against the Nazis. There was one man who was in secret operations and helped Jews escape to the border so they wouldn’t die. There are also normal stories from everyday people, such as the guide who went into the forest following deer sounds. There is lots of striking stuff like that and these things were not known until the past recent years.
“If you try to find it on Google you won’t, because it’s oral history. It’s like when you go to Isan. You hear stories and it’s really interesting because if you look at Europe, it’s a very archival region and everything is recorded. But there are also parts like this that don’t get included in the collective system and that’s really fascinating.”
IF YOU TRY TO FIND IT ON GOOGLE YOU WON’T, BECAUSE IT’S ORAL HISTORY