pocket coffin : Poklong Anading

Galerie Zimmermann Kratochwill proudly announces the exhibition of POKLONG ANADING: pocket coffin in the gallery's premises in Graz, Austria from October 31st, 2012 to January 5th, 2013.   Poklong Anading was once described as "an alchemist of the ordinary" and I have not found a better term so far. A respective body of works of his relies on the discarded, unwanted object or - in a more human reference - on the irrational, from force of circumstances or inconsiderate behaviour. What he does is telling stories or - maybe more correct - conducting those within the field of media that is offered to a conceptual artist in this era; material and technique compliments sound and image and not at the least the recipient or participant, respectively is incorporated in the concept. Following the invitation to participate - and even if it is by observation only - leads to notional world without gravity, without borders.   It is not about to define the function of art but art as social media provides the POSSIBILITY to portray unconventional COHESIONS and to create utopias, not necessarily based on scientific backgrounds but on personal observation or fiction. I might claim that (the majority of) contemporary artists express contemporary issues. In the case of Poklong Anading the contemporary is linked to the myths of the past and to the socio-political context of his geographical origin Southeast Asia. Leaving the classification of his artistic practise to the next generation of classifiers there is no more to say than that he works in a neo-conceptual tradition. Anading translates his methods and applies his concepts to his actual place of residence. This implements a heavy travelling that is as well anchored in the collective history of his home country. Therefore work series are often connected to (various) places and (limited) time. They may be continued for years with re-appearing images or sequences, ie Anonymity, Between Intersections. A lateral entry to Anading's work is unavoidable since the transition between one work, the previous and the fore coming is fluid. Though every story is self-contained it seems to be a chapter of a book. Each work evolves from the previous, enriched with new impulses and although the physical appearance of Anading's artistic expressions vary remarkably in media, size and material the main thread jells clearly within the closer examination of the work.   Going back to the TRAVELLING there is not only a visual impact on memory but as much the presence of sound calls for attention. Interactions with people (i.e. Anonymity, untitled (dwelling)) as well as sound itself or the incorporation of the abstracted sonance (i.e. linedrawing, monster race, - - - - - - - -, dragon kite) have ever since been an important element in Poklong Anading's concepts. Again it is the ordinary that catches the artist's attention, that is collected, abstracted, anthromorphised.   Anading's show title "pocket coffin" might be as unsubstantial as meaningful - through the viewers associations with the visible in the exhibition. The artist's call for exploring the exhibition starts with the title - no guidance, no rules, no overpowering, no definition, no intimidation, no solution.   Poklong Anading introduces four new works reflecting on home, exploring and finding, operating systems and the puzzlement of information and filtering, desire and fulfilment.   As much as the artist challenged us to participate, to understand, to open up, to accept and observe we invite you to experience. Poklong Anading expected us to act as a neutral spot, with zero gravity, providing space to any philosophical examination. The people of GZK propose to you to take the invitation for participation literally.