Kawita Vatanajyankur in the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

Kawita Vatanajyankur’s durational performances explore principles of labour and social equity to reveal the exploitation underlying our consumer society, and how it objectifies and dehumanises its citizens. The artist often personifies a tool, implement or machine in her meticulously researched and physically demanding performances, which require intensive training to endure. While her works always commence with live performance, Vatanajyankur has become known for video documentations that deploy a captivating aesthetic of saturated colours.

Alongside works from her Field Work, Tools and Performing Textiles series, the Triennial features a new commission — The machine ghost in the human shell, 2024, the third work in her recent Cyber Labour series. A collaboration with AI researcher Pat Pataranutaporn, this fascinating and compelling installation employs AI and a holographic ghost to engineer a choreographed dialogue between human and machine, and to propose alternative scenarios regarding the future of the human race.

Opening Weekend Programme:
Artist Lecture: Kawita Vatanajyanka & Pat Pataranutaporn
Saturday, 30 November, 2024