Unknown Forces: Apichtapong Weerasethakul at The Gallery at REDCAT April 18, 2007

April 18 -- June 17, 2007

Unknown Forces:
Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Opening reception: Wed Apr 18, 6–9 pm.

Screenings: June 4, 6 and 8, 8 pm

Internationally recognized for his work in experimental and narrative cinema such as Mysterious Object at Noon (2000), Blissfully Yours (2002), Tropical Malady (2004) and Syndromes and A Century (2006), Apichatpong Weerasethakul presents his first solo exhibition in the United States. Weerasethakul’s films explore perception, impermanence and the imaginary, cultivating fanciful potential within the mundane. His abstract interchanges interrogate conventions of cinematic narrative while exploring desire, reality and a kind of melancholy perhaps peculiar to our times.

Weerasethakul’s exhibition at REDCAT features a newly commissioned video installation that expands upon characters developed in his previous feature films, shorts and video installations through comedy. Born in Bangkok in 1970, Weerasethakul holds a degree in architecture from Khon Kaen University and an MFA in filmmaking from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has worked outside the Thai studio system for a decade and, since 1999, has actively promoted and distributed experimental and independent films through his company Kick the Machine.

In anticipation of the Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of Syndromes and a Century, REDCAT will present a selection of Weerasethakul’s films. Screenings include Mysterious Object at Noon, Blissfully Yours, Tropical Malady, and Worldly Desires and other shorts selected by the artist.

Weerasethakul has exhibited and screened his films widely and has been presented numerous awards for his art projects and feature films including the Prix Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival, 2002; the Prix du Jury, Cannes Film Festival, 2004; Age d’or Prize, Cine de’couvertes, 2004; and Grand Prize, Tokyo Filmex, 2004. In 2005, he received the Silpatorn Award from Thailand Ministry of Culture’s Office of Contemporary Arts.

Related screenings:
Mon, June 4: Mysterious Object at Noon (2000)
Wed, June 6: Blissfully Yours (2002)
Fri, June 8: Recent short works:
Anthem (2006, 35mm, 5 min.)
FAITH (2006, video, 11 min.)
Ghost of Asia (2005, video, 8:30 min.)
Worldly Desires (2005, video, 40 min.)
Luminous People (2007, video, 15:22 min.)
Sat, June 9: Tropical Malady (2004)

Artist's residency support provided by Asian Cultural Council. Additional suppport from R23.

Official Website: http://redcat.org/gallery/0607/weerasethakul.php