Technology is very important for change making in social structure and belief, and also plays a part in the development of the arts. The introduction of photographic technology over 100 years ago, during the reign of King Rama V, led members of Thai high society to use it to record images.
This period also marked the first time that photography was used as a tool to record Thai classical dance knowledge. The Theppanom Canon is a set of basic dance practice consisting of 59 core poses and movements that all Thai dancers need to master and was originally recorded in the form of drawings. However, with the invention of the camera, people were able to take photographs of dancers demonstrating each movement and pose. These photographs were indispensable as they helped dancers to hone their practice, but they were also hugely beneficial in helping beginners learn the various movements and poses.
No. 60 exhibition is another proof of technology's role as a part of development to connect to Thai classical dance with virtual reality. The 59 poses of the Theppanom Canon will be displayed in the form of animations on screen as well as in virtual reality, which will be viewed through a VR headset.
About Pichet Klunchun
Pichet Klunchun is a contemporary Thai dancer and choreographer. He studies the traditional Thai dance, Khon, which focuses on the Ramakian epic, a version of the Ramayana story. He has a degree in Thai Classical Dance from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
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When: 03 Jun 2023–08 Jun 2023 - Where: City Hall Wing, Level B1, Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium Foyer