There once was a sculpture

Austrian conceptual artist Erwin Wurm’s “one-minute sculptures” can be quite fascinating – and they’re an obsession for Jakraphun Thanateeranon, who’s bringing Wurm’s art to Bangkok for a show.
Wurm’s quirky approach caught Jakraphun’s eye while he was still at Chulalongkorn University, and then they met in 1999 in Vienna, where Jakraphun had a Unesco residency scholarship.
Finally there were Wurm’s pieces at the 2011 Venice Biennale, which intrigued Jakraphun enough to write an article about him. The Thai artist visited Wurm’s studio in Vienna and they became friends, to the point that Wurm celebrated Christmas and New Year’s in Thailand.
Tomorrow, Wurm will return to Bangkok to give a free talk at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre about his life and work. Jakraphun, 36, will soon mount a show of Wurm’s work at the 100 Tonson Gallery, which is also paying for Wurm’s accommodation, and a major show. He also plans for a collaborative show at the BACC.
Wurm, 59, is best known for his “One Minute Sculpture” series, developed since the late 1980s, in which he or a model poses with an everyday object. They form a “sculpture” – but of course it’s only temporary.
The question arises, “What exactly is sculpture?” In this case, it only exists temporarily, and can only survive as a two-dimensional photo or as a digital video artefact. Gone is the concept of classical sculpture in marble or bronze, which lasts an eternity.
Wurm does, however, also create works that last beyond a minute – “Fat Car” and “Narrow House” are among the more famous – and many are found in prestigious collections, including the Guggenheim Museum, Museum Ludwig and Centre Pompidou.
After Wurm’s talk, Jakraphun has put together a film screening and discussion titled “Disaster” for Thursday at BACC. The Japan Institute of Moving Images and YMCA (Thailand) have organised the event in collaboration with AEDI Creative Industry Studio and with the support of the Japan Foundation.
Preecha Srisuwan will screen his documentary “Flood Way”, about the 2011 deluge. It was a runner-up for best documentary at last year’s Thai Short Film and Video Festival. There will also be a screening of “Souma Kanka” by Yojyu Matsubayashi, about the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear disaster.
“These stories reflect victims in different corners of the world facing and dealing with the same problems,” says Jakraphun says. “They both send the same message and they both can help people cope up with problems that might happen in the future.”

MEET THE MAN
Erwin Wurm talks about his life and work tomorrow at 5pm in the multi-function hall on first floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
“Flood Way” will be screened and discussed on Thursday at 6pm at the same place.
Both events are free. Reserve seats at (081) 752 7320 or [email protected].