Exhibition
Nov 19th – Dec 10th, 2011
Number 1 Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition Otaku, with new photography and video works by Charinthorn Rachurutchata. In only her second solo exhibition, Charinthorn reflects upon the cult phenomenon of Cosplay, the costumed character role-playing derived from Manga and anime. Initially trained as a fashion photographer, Charinthorn’s elaborate photo constructions adopt the aesthetics of anime as well as the Christian symbolism superficially appropriated by Japanese cartoon and animation creators.
Burgeoning into a global cultural trend that has permeated Thai youth culture, Charinthorn previously ran a specialised Manga comic book store in downtown Bangkok. A self-confessed otaku, meaning nerd or geek, she is an occasional participant in this fantasy-obsessed community of illusory alter egos. Her embedded positioning offers a unique artistic perspective that explores aspects of self-realisation and belonging, fetishism and adoration, lifestyle branding and cultural imperialism.
A BA graduate from Sukhothai University, 29-year-old Charinthorn Rachurutchata began her career as a photographer for Cheeze magazine. She held her debut solo exhibition Bubble (2010) at RMA Institute in Bangkok, and has also participated in the group exhibitions Within These Walls (2010), at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), and Up to You (2011) at Bangkok’s Dungderm Hotel. Her latest short film, Shanghai Mansion (2011), was commissioned by the Hot Short Film programme to air on Thai PBS.
![Pieta, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm Pieta, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-e326db35-thumb.jpg)
Pieta, 2011
Photograph,
40x60cm
![The Last Supper, 2011, Photograph, 58x60cm The Last Supper, 2011, Photograph, 58x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-6f192822-thumb.jpg)
The Last Supper, 2011
Photograph,
58x60cm
![Street-Fighter, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm Street-Fighter, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-b373d078-thumb.jpg)
Street-Fighter, 2011
Photograph,
40x60cm
![Catastrophe, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm Catastrophe, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-2ec332f4-thumb.jpg)
Catastrophe, 2011
Photograph,
47x60cm
![Holy bible, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm Holy bible, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-327a60ee-thumb.jpg)
Holy bible, 2011
Photograph,
47x60cm
![Atomize, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm Atomize, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-ae556102-thumb.jpg)
Atomize, 2011
Photograph,
47x60cm
![Fashion Inferno, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm Fashion Inferno, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-56146a53-thumb.jpg)
Fashion Inferno, 2011
Photograph,
47x60cm
![Prophet, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm Prophet, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-4cf71000-thumb.jpg)
Prophet, 2011
Photograph,
40x60cm
![SimCity, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm SimCity, 2011, Photograph, 47x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-de19592a-thumb.jpg)
SimCity, 2011
Photograph,
47x60cm
![Virjin mary, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm Virjin mary, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-2a2004aa-thumb.jpg)
Virjin mary, 2011
Photograph,
40x60cm
![Jesus, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm Jesus, 2011, Photograph, 40x60cm](assets/artwork/artwork-d3b1b1c5-thumb.jpg)
Jesus, 2011
Photograph,
40x60cm