Captured at cosplay
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Photographer Charinthorn Rachurutchata's solo show "Otaku" is at Gallery Number 1 until December 10, a dazzling array of pop-style images and videos focused on the costumed cult of cosplay.
Trained as a fashion photographer, Charinthorn constructs elaborate images that adopt the aesthetics of both Japanese anime and the Christian symbolism that its cartoonists have appropriated.
A self-confessed otaku – a nerd or geek – Charinthorn once ran a store in downtown Bangkok that specialised in manga comics, and she too has dressed up in fantasy fashion. Thus “embedded” in the culture, she offers her own artistic perspective on belonging, fetishism, lifestyle branding and cultural imperialism. Get the details at www.Number1Gallery.com.
That Euro style
A double-bill of design shows from Spain and Switzerland will be at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre on the sixth floor of the Emporium from Friday through January 22.
“Foodjects: Design & the New Cuisine in Spain” demonstrates how innovation spanning several generations of food designers has culminated in the vibrant Spanish cuisine of today. Award-winning experimental designer Martín Azúa will give a talk on Friday at 1pm, translated into Thai.
“CRISS+CROSS: Design from Switzerland” journeys from Le Corbusier to the Helvetica font in a survey of design pioneers who’ve had tremendous global influence. Writer, journalist and curator Ariana Pradal will trace the history on Friday at 3.30pm.
Find out more at (02) 664 8448, extension 213 or 214, or www.TCDC.or.th.
T is for tsunami
Calvin Klein has created T-shirts to raise funds for tsunami victims in Japan.
Reflecting the Japanese obsession with minimalist design, the limited-edition shirt is white with the slogan “Calvin Klein Loves Japan” also in white.
Only the “o” in “loves” really stands out – it’s a red dot, inspired by Japan’s Hinomaru (circle of the sun) flag.
The shirt costs Bt990 at Calvin Klein’s boutiques in Siam Discovery and the Emporium.
Proceeds will go to the Japanese government via the Thai Red Cross.
