Vong Phaophanit

Description

Some time ago Vong Phaophanit came across a small book, a dictionary translating Laotian into English. Published by a Laotian prince in the 1970s, the book also contained essays about Laotian life, and that of the prince in particular. Some words, for example 'please ' and 'thank you', were not included. However, a whole section was devoted to words describing the human body - skin, hair, leg, sweat, liver, kidneys, fingernails and so on, and these provide the basis, in Laotian script, for Azure Neon Body.

One hundred and seventy-two words, piled randomly in a trench in the ground, emanate a strong azure light: energy from the earth seeming to celebrate the energy of mankind.

This sculpture was first shown, in a smaller version, in the exhibition Cocido y Crudo (Cooked and Raw), 14 December 1994 - 6 March 1995 at the Reina Sofia Gallery in Madrid. In the gallery it was set into a false floor and flooded the room with bright blue light. In its woodland setting the sculpture has to compete with natural light. This brings a new dimension to Azure Neon Body, one of time, day or season, which in the copse is accompanied by the vagaries of changing light, shadow and weather.

Vong Phaophanit has used the little book as the basis for other sculpture: its curious, almost crude quality kindles ideas not remotely thought of by its publisher.