Spectrality in Contemporary Thai Art: An Analysis of the Roles of Ghosts through the Conceptual Framework of Perspectivism

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the manifestation of ghosts in Thai society from historical periods to the present through the theoretical framework of Perspectivism. It seeks to present the perspectives and contexts of ghosts as they emerge within Thai society, serving as a conceptual foundation for analyzing the condition of spectrality through the forms of contemporary Thai art. The study categorizes their manifestations in contemporary Thai art into three principal roles as follows 1) The role of enduring traces, examined through the works of Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook. In this capacity, meaning is ascribed by the creator, the "ghost" thus reflects its role through the artist's own personal memory. 2) The role of obscured reality, analyzed through the works of Arin Rungjang. This role references historical truths that are re-presented in contemporary society to establish a semantic connection to contemporary art practices. 3) The role of alienation and otherness within society, explored through the works of Saroot Supasuthivech. This role draws upon traumatic events rooted in human ethnic disparity, reflecting upon historical tragedies to commemorate the victims and deter the recurrence of such atrocities. In conclusion, this paper highlights the ongoing adaptation of belief systems in accordance with Thai culture across various historical periods, ultimately fostering a critical realization regarding the vulnerability of human existence in contemporary society.