MEDIATHEK

One is French, the other Thai. Both are dancers and choreographers, motivated by the same interest in movement and the same quest for meaning. The idea behind this evocation of dance through language came to Jérôme Bel when he was invited to Bangkok for a festival. A scripted conversation between two dance professionals, Made in Thailand delves into theatrical and choreographic traditions in France and Thailand to highlight their similarities and differences. Jérôme Bel: "Despite the cultural gulf separating our respective aesthetics, I believe we've succeeded in bringing to light some pertinent issues in a performative way. At least I hope we have."

This is an encounter between two accomplished artists, a dialogue about their practices, sources of inspiration and respective contexts. It is a shared experience but also one of astonishment as they face misunderstandings which occasionally, and not without humour, reveal the differences between them.

Jérôme Bel: OK, first question. What is your name?

Pichet Klunchun: Pichet Klunchun

JB: How old are you?

PK: 32.

JB: Where do you live?

PK: Bangkok.

JB: Are you married?

PK: Not yet.

JB: What is your profession?

PK: I’m a dancer.

JB: Why did you become a dancer?

PK: Because I thought dance was very easy. I don’t know why, maybe the gods decided it for me.

I was born outside Bangkok. My parents had 3 daughters. In the province where I come from they have a large, famous temple called the Soton temple. There is one statue, a Buddha. We believe he loves dancers. When you want something, you come and ask him for it. If you get what you asked for, you give the Buddha a dance. My mother wanted to have a boy, so she asked the statue to give her one, and then along I came. So maybe that’s why I became a dancer.

JB: Do you believe in God, in Buddha?

PK: Yes, I do.

JB: What kind of dance do you practise?

PK: A dance called Khon*

* a danced drama with masks, governed by strict rules

Extract from the production
Bangkok, December 2004. Questions put to Pichet Klunchun by Jérôme Bel.

// Credits //

Concept: Jérôme Bel
By and with: Pichet Klunchun and Jérôme Bel
Dramaturge: Tang Fu Kuen
Coproduction: SACD / Festival Montpellier Danse 2005, R.B. (Paris)

Supported by: Bangkok Fringe Festival, L'Association Française d'Action Artistique (A.F.A.A.), le Service culturel de l'Ambassade de France en Thailande, l'Alliance française à Bangkok, The Flying Circus Project (Singapore).

Supported by: The Royal Thai Embassy (Bruxelles/Brussel)
Thanks to: Kaaitheater
Presentation: Kaaitheater, KunstenFESTIVALdesArts

[efr] www.kfda.be http://www.montpellierdanse.com/ http://www.jeromebel.fr/ https://www.pichetklunchundancecompany.com/