Farawaysoclose

The work of Pratchaya Phinthong is an observatory in which situations confront different strata’s of reality. He activates dynamic zones between two realities: two geographic points, two societies, two economic systems. His projects often are constructed between a dialogue with others as he slides an artistic gesture in the social field.

The piece ‘farawaysoclose’, created during the artist’s residence in Frankfort, consisted of replacing a two euros coin by a ten Thai baths coin in order to buy Coke cans from the school’s vending machines. At the time where the Deutsche Mark was replaced by the euro, the artist was looking to find his place and his identity in a foreign country. In exchanging the two currencies, he played on the economic representations and cultural existences, shifting from a minority status to a position of equality.