ART4D SPEAKS TO WARUT WIMOLKUNARAK ABOUT HIS RECENT WORK, 2046: THE GREATER EXODUS – AN UNCONVENTIONAL SHOW THAT COMBINES PERFORMANCE ART AND FINE DINING, AND WARUT HIMSELF ABOUT HIS ROLE OF BEING AN ‘EXPERIENCE DESIGNER’
TEXT: PRATARN TEERATADA
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANGCHUI
(For Thai, press here)
A story about a journey in search of a Utopia is recreated in the form of a show with an eclectic integration of various fields of art. Titled 2046: The Greater Exodus, the show takes place at Na-Oh Bangkok inside Chang Chui’s creative space throughout the month of June (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only). art4d takes this chance to introduce you to the creative director / producer behind its entire production, Warut Wimolkunarak, whom we believe will become a prominent figure and force in bringing a new and incredible phenomena to Thailand’s performance art scene.
art4d: Tell us a bit about your background and what you’ve done so far.
Warut Wimolkunarak: I graduated from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication with a film major and got my master’s degree from MPS Fashion Photography, a graduate program at School of Visual Arts, New York. I am currently working as an Art Director at an advertising agency in New York. I am also an advertising director, and a photographer. The works that I do are quite diverse. I worked with Chang Chui on their ‘ChangChui Model Citizens’ interview series (https://web.facebook.com/ChangChuiBKK/videos/2607180399505943) and the fashion film for their grand opening (vimeo.com/205071750). I have worked with fashion brands from La Mer, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Official. I do art direction. One of the projects I worked on was the social media campaign for Virgin Galactic’s first space flight, which had Richard Branson on board as a passenger. That’s pretty much it.
art4d: We know that you just came back from New York, could you tell us about what you did and what you learned being there?
WW: When I was doing my master degree in Fashion Photography, it was out of my personal interest in storytelling and visuals. Then I got my first full-time job as a creative at an advertising agency in New York after years of being a freelancer. The job really opened my eyes and gave me ideas since I was able to expand the tools I use with my work in terms of the media and platforms. I used to limit myself to directing photographic or cinematic frames but this job really got me interested in the entire aspect of creativity, the whole 360 degrees of it. I’ve become more interested in creating new experiences ever since.
I think the five years in New York really allowed me to learn to have fun and be really passionate about what I do, as well as fighting for my dreams and my beliefs even though I had to try harder and put in a lot more effort than most people.
art4d: How did 2046: The Greater Exodus come about?
WW: It’s from my personal intention of wanting to see new visual experiences happening in Thailand. I think this is the first time that we get to see an integration of immersive theater and fine dining at such a full scale. So viewers are able to enjoy the dining experience and be a part of the show at the same time.
What’s also special about the show is that it’s a large-scale collaboration between some amazing art collectives. They all believe in the power of art and want to create new experiences. We have STUDIO11206, the founder of the project, and ChangChui Creative Park who provides support and helps facilitate this collaboration. We have Na-Oh Bangkok who provides us the space and designs the services and special menus for the show. We have the theater team of Throw Bkk, who are this young generation group of theater performers with a focus in curating Immersive Theatre, to direct the show. We have a costume design team from Flynow and lighting design from DuckUnit. Each group contributes their expertise and makes this show possible.
art4d: What’s your plan for the future?
WW: I am planning to open a studio that focuses on the design of experiences. I call it Experience Design Studio. The objective of the studio will be about creating new experiences and experimental projects both in Thailand and New York.
