The Phi Ta Khon Project
Title
The Phi Ta Khon Project
In 2008 Alex Kershaw traveled to Dansai, a small town in Loei Province of Northeast Thailand on an Asialink Grant. His project was made in collaboration with the town council, village spirit leader, and community during their annual Phi Ta Khon festival. Translated loosely as 'ghosts follow people,' Phi Ta Khon combines animist, Brahmin, and Buddhist traditions. These articulate the bonds between the dead and the living, between sexual and agricultural fertility, and between the community and their spirit-infested natural world.
Magic realist in approach, the video weaves harvest landscapes through documents of the festival and choreographed sequences where local farmers, food vendors, and council employees are the actors. The Phi Ta Khon Project reassembles a video image of Dansai through a series of displacements—orchestrated twists of context and materials, challenging their traditional roles and meanings.
Links
"A moving image that can remember its past lives" by David Teh (2012)
GRANTPIRRIE exhibition (2009)
55th International Short film Festival Oberhausen, Germany
Exhibition Catalogue for GRANTIPRRIE show by David Teh (2009)
Interview with Amber McCulloch for Artworld - (2008)
Acknowledgements
| Production Assistants | Apsara Panpibool, Norma Abe and KhunTek |
| Translator | Apsara Panpibool |
| Camera Assistant | Vanessa Bellemore |
| Original Music | Performed by: Krisada Sananoot, Sungkeet Sungkeetsin, Apisit Pimsaree, Jakapop Sungkeetsin, Chanachol Chumne and Sangsinchai Sungkeetsin. |
| Sound Design | Gail Priest |
| Grantpirre Install | Marley Dawson |
| Funding | Asialink Residency Program |
Participants/Actors
Khun Art, Lamai Chatren, Khun Yai Chawee, Nang Tiem Chuaboonmee, Sudurat Garwong, Sisongrak Highschool, SawnsakJalerntrap, Khun Jan, Narong Kumying, Prajob Muansom, Nang Pleumjit Nontakhord, Kumprom Nontakot, Chaichit Shingstid, Ajarn Somdetch, Jung Wattanan, Ham Noi Wattanan, Por San Kumjune Yaprut and Atisak Yohuang.
Thankyou…
Jao-por Guan (Dansai's male spirit medium) and Tan Nayoke Suntipap Chuaboonmee (mayor of Dansai) for your personal support and encouragement during the project. Thank you Tessaban Dansai and the Dansai community for facilitating the project with staff and resources. Thank you very much to Dansai Crown Prince Hospital and Maw Aoy for providing us with accommodation during our stay.
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Installation view HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Installation view HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Installation view HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Installation view HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Installation view HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
 |
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Media: | Production still HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Image courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
|
|
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Duration: | 2:38 min |
| Media: |
Documentation of exhibition at GRANTPIRRIE, Sydney
HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files displayed on 40" LCD screens, bamboo, inner tube, century stands, cloth Video courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
|
|
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Duration: | 15:34 min |
| Media: |
Single Channel edit for 55th International Short Film Festival
Oberhausen, Germany HDV 1080p25 Video courtesy of artist |
The Phi Ta Khon Project
|
Click to Play
|
|
| Title: | The Phi Ta Khon Project |
| Year: | 2008-2009 |
| Duration: | 2:10 min |
| Media: | Sample sequence from edit for GRANTPIRRIE exhibition
HDV 1080p25 / Quicktime files Video courtesy of artist |
