As part of "the endless renaissance: six solo artist projects" at the Bass Museum of Art in Miami, I saw Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook’s video from "The Two Planets Series." A group of farmers in rural Thailand sit on the ground before a bamboo grove on which is hanging a reproduction of Le déjeuner sur l’herbe by Edouard Manet. A video camera records the peasants’ reactions, translated below in subtitles. We see the Thais from behind; we watch them watch the art — so we don’t see their faces. They speak together, often interrupting one another. (It seems that only a small portion of their conversation is translated.) Are there women as well as men? It’s difficult to know. From behind, they are a community, not singular persons.
Here is some of the dialogue I remember:
"What’s that under her arm?"
"That’s her breast."
"Is she going to bathe?"
"Is he going to bathe?"
"She’s very pretty. Is she Thai?
"Is that her foot or his foot?"
As you can see, there are many questions. Also, much laughter. These people can watch a painting the same way we watch a movie! One conviction they all share is that Le déjeuner sur l’herbe was painted for them. Also, they perceive the wit that is essential to the painting. Because they are peasants, they need not defer to "experts." Everyone who hasn’t been discouraged is naturally a giggling art critic.
Leave Your Comments