Blur Borders International Performance Art Exchange 2024
3 August : 1st day @Talenoi Phattalung,Thailand
organized and curated by
Mongkol Plienbangchang and Aor Nopawan
Photography by
Apisak Ratchakwan
In Search of Siam (Survanabhumi – The Land of Gold): This First Performance in Thailand. It was in response to the old name of Thailand, Siam. The term Siam (Thai: สยาม RTGS: Sayam) might have come from Pali (suvaṇṇabhūmi, meaning land of gold), Sanskrit श्याम (śyāma, meaning -dark), or Mon (rhmañña, meaning stranger), possibly having the same root as Shan and Ahom.
As I researched Thailand, I was inspired and drawn to the historical significance of the temple, space objects and things that resonated with my subconscious mind. A vision of objects and connections started creating sequences and scenes in my mind like a film reel. Gradually, I developed my work by learning and observing the wetland, a beautiful green zone in small segments of the island. The environment was very similar to the Kerala backwaters.
On the first day, we went on a tour in a small boat. On the way, we saw a large fishing structure made of bamboo. The landscape transformed with the first ray of sunlight, and this beautiful bamboo structure sometimes looked like an animal walking on water. Still, the morning image is fresh in my mind. We came across people fishing, floating rice fields, beautiful lotus fields, and the island site where we had to perform.
Upon first glance, the site and the water seemed fantastic. Numerous images of potential actions flooded my mind. The challenge lay in figuring out how to transport the materials. With this in mind, I began collecting bamboo. I stumbled upon many bamboo sticks on the ground and noticed several other artists working and gathering bamboo. At first, I considered abandoning the idea. However, I started to rethink the possibilities. I chose a location for my performance. Later, we returned to the hotel room and found ourselves in a cozy, beautiful wooden room filled with wonderful memories of the day trip and the experience of the lotus field.
At night, the phrase 'Siam', lotus fields and fishing structure strongly resonated with me, and I performed In Search of Siam (Suvannabhoomi - The Land of Gold). The passage explores the origins of the term 'Siam' and its possible connections to India and the Prakrit language. It also discusses the metaphorical interpretation of "Shyam" (Krishna) and its association with the colour blue. Metaphorically and poetically, it was an attempt to reimage and touch upon the idea of the imagination of people of the land, Siam people arriving via a sea route.
I want to call out to the name Siam, the Dark/ Krishna and the people of Thailand. Many thoughts echoed in my mind simultaneously. It might have created a response from an audience trying to connect and understand my performance. It was strange that many locals needed to learn the history of Siam in Thailand. Is the young generation cut from the past? I wonder why they cut off or were just ignorant of the history of Thailand. There are a lot of trade and cultural connections between Thailand and India. I tried to reestablish it through my actions.
Dimple B Shah Performed on 3 August 2024 1st day @Talenoi Phattalung
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