Exhibition                          :     OTAKU
Artist                                  :     Charinthorn  Rachurutchata
                                                Curated by Steven Pettifor
Opening reception             :    19 November 2011 at 5.00 pm.
Exhibition Period               :    19 November – 10 December 2011

        Number 1 Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition Otaku, with new photography and video works by Charinthorn Rachurutchata. In only her second solo exhibition, Charinthorn reflects upon the cult phenomenon of Cosplay, the costumed character role-playing derived from Manga and anime. Initially trained as a fashion photographer, Charinthorn’s elaborate photo constructions adopt the aesthetics of anime as well as the Christian symbolism superficially appropriated by Japanese cartoon and animation creators.

        Burgeoning into a global cultural trend that has permeated Thai youth culture, Charinthorn previously ran a specialised Manga comic book store in downtown Bangkok.  A self-confessed otaku, meaning nerd or geek, she is an occasional participant in this fantasy-obsessed community of illusory alter egos. Her embedded positioning offers a unique artistic perspective that explores aspects of self-realisation and belonging, fetishism and adoration, lifestyle branding and cultural imperialism.
A BA graduate from Sukhothai University, 29-year-old Charinthorn Rachurutchata began her career as a photographer for Cheeze magazine. She held her debut solo exhibition Bubble (2010) at RMA Institute in Bangkok, and has also participated in the group exhibitions Within These Walls (2010), at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), and Up to You (2011) at Bangkok’s Dungderm Hotel. Her latest short film, Shanghai Mansion (2011), was commissioned by the Hot Short Film programme to air on Thai PBS.