"Assistant Professor Anupong Charoenmitr"


Visual arts works in contemporary media

Faculty of Digital Art, Rangsit University

Thailand


CREATIVE WORK


"The Hollow Presence"

Memento Mori, or "Remember that you will die," is a concept rooted in philosophy and religion that emphasizes the impermanence of life. This idea is not limited to the confrontation of physical loss but extends to various life changes, such as the end of relationships, fading memories, and the experience of vulnerability in everyday life. All these aspects reflect the human condition amidst an ever-uncertain existence.

In contemporary art, this concept is explored through processes that connect death to social and cultural contexts. For instance, artists have developed "Death Mapping," a tool for recording geographical coordinates of sites associated with death. This analytical work goes beyond data collection to pose systemic questions about loss, such as normalized deaths like roadkill or death as an object of study. Moreover, these mappings illustrate philosophical reflections on life and existence.

The artistic process draws inspiration from existentialism, particularly Martin Heidegger's notion of "Being-toward-death," which focuses on confronting mortality and questioning the meaning of life and identity. These ideas encourage art to become a reflective space that allows viewers to ponder life's fragility and unavoidable uncertainties.

Through the creative process of works like Death in Everyday Life: Encountering in Absence, which involve photographic documentation and geospatial mapping, the art not only reflects the artist's personal experiences but also highlights broader systemic perspectives in society. This stimulates audiences to consider the interconnectedness of space, memory, and cultural vulnerability.