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Published on August 25, 2007

A hot topic now in the local contemporary art scene is who won at this year's Silpathorn Awards.

Now in their fourth year, the annual awards recognise achievements in five fields: visual arts, film, literature, music, and the performing arts. Prizes are given to support artists in these fields aged 30 to 50. Unlike in previous years, when only one prize was awarded in each field, this year there were three winners in the field of visual arts: internationally well-known conceptual artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, female artist Pinaree Sanpitak and outspoken activist/artist Vasan Sitthiket.

Other winners included emerging independent filmmaker Thunska Pansittivorakul, new-wave writer Siriworn Kaewkan, composer Narong Prangcharoen and performer Nimit Pipithkul.

Why three winners from the visual-arts field? According to the jury, the result reflects the strong development of the artists compared to those in other fields.

Chaired by National Artist Sumet Jumsai, other key members of the jury included professor Apinan Poshyananda, the OCAC's general director, former senator Kraisak Choonhavan, Dome Sukwong of the Thai Film Foundation and censored filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Silpathorn Award in 2005.

Indeed, there's no doubt as to the qualifications of all three artists, who have enjoyed international recognition for nearly two decades.

Critically acclaimed Vasan's controversial works range from paintings, sculptures, video art and installations to poems, music and art happenings focused on political and sociological issues. Vasan's self-portrait satirising politics is his signature. The prolific artist is a familiar face protesting against corrupt politicians. In 2005, he set up the "Artist Party", a politically inspired art project to mock corruption within the Thai Rak Thai party.

Using female bodies, particularly breasts, as metaphors for gender issues is Pinaree's signature in works including paintings, sculptures and interactive installations. She is among the few female Thai artists who have been able to make a living as an artist. Pinaree exhibited her work alongside dozens of male artists at "Tout a fait Thai 2006", the first major contemporary art festival organised by the OCAC. Pinaree was the first female to win the Silpathorn award, following previous winners Chalermchai Kositpipat, Pornchai Jaima and Chaichat Puipai.

Rirkrit may be less well-known among Thais, but he is one of the hottest stars in the contemporary art world. Even though he has not had the support of the Thai government, he is a pioneer among contemporary artists. He is the first Thai artist to participate in prestigious art festivals such as the Venice Biennale and Germany's Project Munster. He wore the curator's hat at the 2005 Venice International Biennial.

Rirkrit is known for cooking Thai curries in galleries around the globe. Aiming to blur the line between art and life, his interactive installations question the established relationship between artists, institutions, art and the public. Installations in which he shares his experiences with everyday activities like eating, sleeping or even recording music in museums are among his outstanding works of art.

His name became more familiar to Thais just a few years back when he founded the avant-garde art project "The Land" with Chiang Mai-based artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert (who has since quit the project) in Chiang Mai. "The Land" is a rice field-cum-experimental-art space for both Thai and international artists exploring how everyday activities can be integrated into art, and also how art can become a part of everyday life. Rirkrit lives alternately in New York, Berlin and Chiang Mai, where he is now more active in the art and culture scene. He is also a guest lecturer at Chiang Mai University's faculty of fine and applied arts.

While the three winners in the category show that the contemporary art scene is a bit stronger, academics in other fields question the standards of the awards.

Thunska's films, which walk a fine line between art and obscenity, are also another issue for debate. The 34-year-old is the founder of www.thaiindie.com and his 2003 documentary "Happy Berry" won the grand prize at the fourth Taiwan International Documentary Festival in 2004. His first 35mm film project, "Heartbreak Pavilion", won the 2005 Pusan Promotion Plan's top award in South Korea.

Being brave enough to make his film challenging, with nudity and same-sex relationships - both taboo in Thai culture - has gained Thunska his reputation. His website serves as a virtual community for Thai film-makers, as well as a place to promote short films as a kind of art form. Like Apichatpong, he is also a key figure in the "Free Thai Cinema" movement. However, his work mostly centres on innovative short films and is popular in the independent film circle.

According to the awards' criteria, artists' works must have been continually exposed to the general public up until the awards are decided. This young filmmaker may have missed this point. Some also question whether these awards are only given to established "mid-career" artists. Critics suggest that if nobody meets the awards' criteria, it would be preferable to keep standards high by not having a winner. Some also question why the winners in this field can only be filmmakers. Why not producers or festival directors?

Indeed, for many mature artists, winning the award endorsed by the Culture Ministry has not influenced their work in the future. Presenting these awards to living artists is a good cause. The OCAC, with its mission to promote contemporary art and culture, especially controversial artists, and the dinosaurs at the Culture Ministry who continue to control and censor freedom of expression, should both fine-tune their work. It has become a critical issue.

 Phatarawadee Phataranawik