How do you find working in Thailand for the first time?
James: It is great that we have the opportunity to display the third development of Ersatz in Thailand, to a completely new audience. It will be a new experience for us and for them. Because contemporary dance is abstract, to have the visual element that will compliment it to convey meaning is an exciting development for us.
How have things progressed?
James: We got only three weeks for preparation so it’s been intense because, despite all the support, we have to arrange everything ourselves from finding the location to promotion.
What will we take away from Ersatz Thailand?
James: I think you can count on things you haven’t seen before. It’s new, exciting and free as well. So you should come along and embrace what the next generations of artists are doing in Australia and Thailand—all at a very intimate level, too.
Can you explain the premise a bit more?
James: The audience will be gathered outside before entering the space in which three separate installations are activated and deactivated at different times. You are free to move between each of the set-ups which have different concepts and approaches regarding media and performance. In this way, you can really take a journey of experience, not just sit and watch from the outside.
What is the message behind it?
James: Whatever is perceived is valid, but from my perspective, it is definitely how we relate to the environment and space around us. Hopefully it will encourage people to think of the value of the relationships we have with our surroundings and how easily things can change because sometimes we take it for granted.
What kind of an impact do you think it will have?
James: Hopefully it will pave the way for more collaboration between Thai and Australian artists and give people here the courage to do uncompromised kinds of art, which you don’t see too much of at the moment.
