Pictures that speak

Thai politics is in a state of confrontation, with the self-proclaimed proxy government of Thaksin Shinawatra under siege from the anti-Thaksin group, the People's Alliance for Democracy. This situation is being echoed in the local art scene, where Thai artists are in confrontation with international artists - at least in the remarkable photography show "Face to Faces".

Here, portraits of Thai generals Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Suchinda Kraprayoon, two army chiefs behind coups, are displayed face to face with an unidentified dead man who is lying, bloodied, on the ground.

"Face to Faces", organised by French and Thai curators, portrays Thai society's facing up to the reality of a global culture. But the focus is on aesthetic aspects rather than a simple message of political conflict.

The show features nearly 300 photos by Thai and international artists at two galleries - Silom Galleria and Tang Contemporary Art Gallery.

Initiated by Culturesfrance in 2005, "Face to Faces" is being shown under the programme "Dialoques d' Images". It attempts to tackle contemporary issues through photography.

In Bangkok, the first Asian venue, Isabelle de Montfumat has selected more than 40 portraits by 14 European artists, while Thai photography artist and curator Manit Sriwanichpoom has chosen more than 200 shots by 12 Thai and foreign artists based here.

Unlike the previous shows that displayed the works as a single entity, the Bangkok version is divided into two parts. Montfumat's selections concentrate on how artists use photography to reflect abstract issues such as love, beauty, peace, isolation and the relation between the self and the world.

Meanwhile, Manit's choices speak loudly on the Thai identity, culture and the current ills in the society. Manit's selections show portraits of powerful generals, frustrated gays, the fantasy lives of artists, isolated white-collar workers in a consumerist world, Muslim women, the homeless in Bangkok and the relatives of victims from the conflicts in three deep-South Thai provinces - Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Although the show reflects the differences in approaches and techniques, some works have the same dialogues. "Presenting the show in two parts does not [make them] separate," Montfumat says. "While the messages of the Thai part are directly realistic, the Europeans are more abstract. The portraits, however, speak each others' [language]."

Manit says, "To me, photography is a medium [of power] to reflect the truth of the society - power, dignity and identity."

Stepping into the Silom Galleria, viewers first encounter the French part of the show. A series of Roman Opalka's black-and-white self-portraits representing him at different ages hangs by the mysterious, murky self-portraits of Nan Goldin. Both seem to have the same dialogues of self-ness, but each comes across as different in their approaches and feelings.

To show the dialogue with the Thai artists, Montfumat puts up Yann Toma's fantasy black-and-white portrait at the end of the show, after which Manit's part starts. Like a murder scene in a thriller, Manit's photo depicts a dead man, bloodied, on the ground.

Walking into the next room, viewers see a series of Thai generals in their uniforms, some of whom were behind bloody coups. Other portraits, of former prime ministers, high-ranking policemen, politicians and beauty queens are also displayed. These are from Chayajittrakorn Studio, Thailand's oldest-existing photographer's shop which, for 72 years, has specialised in portraits of the high and mighty of Thai society.

Established gay artist Michael Shaowanasai shows his popular series "Life of a Woman". Ampani Satoh looks at her Muslim roots in "Muslimah". The series depicts Muslim women in traditional costume - black-and-white hijabs. Maitree Siriboon portrays the life of an Isaan boy posing with a farang in a rice field.

The varied experiences of the audience will bring out many more dialogues waiting to be interpreted.

At a glance

-- "Face to Faces" is on until June 30 at Silom Galleria and Tang Contemporary Art Gallery, Silom Road. The show is part of the "Month of Photography", an event held every two years, this time, alongside La Fete.

-- "100 X France: History of French Photography from its Origin to Present Day", part of the "Month of Photography", tells a history of French photography through the works of 100 artists and is on at the Queen's Gallery until July 8.

-- For more information, visit www.LaFete-Bangkok.com