Open Studio with artist Than Sok
Wednesday 7 May 2014
Sa Sa Art Projects, #26-28 E2, White Building, Sothearos Blvd.
In Khmer and English translation.
During his Pisaot residency with Sa Sa Art Projects, Than Sok furthered his interest in ritual materials and practice by investigating Buddhist monastic robes and experimenting with their very materiality. The monastic robe serves not only as a uniform for Buddhist monks or nuns but also symbolises high spiritual ideals that the wearer is committed to. The outer robe sanghati is made up of multiple strips and sewn together according to a modular form that resembles the pattern of a rice field. Than observed that this modular form is simplified in today’s practice where some robes are made by sewing pattern on one single panel. Struck by the notion of genuineness in the face of changing practices, the artist disassembled a few robes of different colors, and sewed those pieces back together by hand to create a new pattern. He asks, “Is it still a monastic robe? What makes us know what’s real and what’s not?” Than’s questions challenge beyond the materials of the robes.
As part of his residency, Than has also worked with children from Champey Academy of Arts, Wat Ounalom pagoda, and the White Building in a series of workshops that explored the tradition of water splashing on commuters during Khmer New Year season. Concerned that such joyful exercise could also cause tragic road accidents, the artist engaged with the participating children turning water guns into watercolor tools to draw pictures on the wall.
About Than Sok
Than Sok (b. 1984, Takeo) uses ritual and everyday materials in various media—drawing, installation, video and performance—to investigate Buddhist and religious practices as well as spiritual beliefs. Than’s interest lies on the relationship between these practices and belief systems, and power relation and notion of merit in contemporary society. Than graduated from Reyum Art School in 2005 and Reyum's Creative Lab Workshop in 2007. Recent solo exhibitions include Promotion (2013) and The Halo of the Omnipresent Eye (2012), both at SA SA BASSAC, and Tragedy, Bophana, Phnom Penh (2009). Group exhibitions include Phnom Penh: Rescue Archaeology, ifa, Berlin + Stuttgart (2013), Video: An Art, A History, Singapore Art Museum (2011), and Forever Until Now, 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Hong Kong (2009). Than has undertaken residency at Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC (2013), S-AIR, Sapporo (2011), and Tokyo Wonder Site, Aoyama (2005). More about Than Sok at http://www.sasabassac.com/artists/thansok/than.htm
