Refrigerator Illusion

Adisak PHUPA

Thailand

〈nto Tranquility Blue〉, 2021.

Mixed media, Single-channel HD docufiction video, Still photos in light boxes, Archival painting, Dimensions variable, Still image

Into Tranquility Blue aims to insinuate over the Isan people’s recursive sphere of life, nature and spiritual energy which support one another. As though each life ingredient gradually added and favored, it attributes to the rationality of living harmoniously between “life nourishment” and “food preservation,” such as pla-ra a traditional Isan or northeastern Thai fermented fish. Pla-ra or pa-daek are seasoning produced by fermentation of fish with rice bran and/or roasted rice powder and salt in a closed container for at least six months. The fermented fish could be whole or pieces, and soft in texture with normal color and specific flavor of its characteristics.
For Isan people not to forget about their homeland in any dimension while migrating anywhere inside or outside Thailand, they tend to carry with them some unique life elements that initiate ordinary identity, making them differ from people in other regions. Same as pla-ra , it is not just food supply when in need, but considered an identity of Isan people which goes everywhere with them. As a result, one of the mechanisms they often perform is an attempt to adjust or create their life balance, in order to help them connect between ‘space and time’ and ‘spiritual energy’. Concurrently, the Isan people’s state of balance within body and mind they yearn for and try to nourish is herein compared to the temperature of the tranquil blue color—with comfort and cool tone. Such unique life elements could therefore be illustrated through images of nature, dryness, local ritual, spiritual belief, traditional music, and so on.
While pla-ra is significant not only in Isan but one of
the most famous Thai food around the world, it’s at the same time considered as their spirit, the craving for affection and happiness cultivated through time—just like pla-ra ’s imperishable characteristic yet durable.