Objet a (working title)

objet a (working title) is a short video that captures and explores the act of gazing, as well as the experience of being gazed upon. The landscapes in these moments are often shrouded in darkness, fog, smoke, or elusive lighting, blurring the lines between day and night, and between the artificial and the natural. The faces of workers, staring ahead with intense desire, seem to emerge from different timelines, yet somehow converge into a singular, collective moment. As the present moves toward the future, the past lingers, longing for what is yet to come, or perhaps, the future longs for the past. Since 2023, Chantana Tiprachart has been exploring the concept of an artificial sun on Earth as a response to humanity’s desire for advancements in clean energy, rather than relying on energy from the natural sun. However, investing in the artificial sun does not represent the gift of new technology to mankind; rather, it symbolises power, possession, and competition within the framework of neoliberalism. Evolution and advancement can cause the working class to tirelessly pursue nothing but emptiness. Moving forward, the artificial sun may once again revolutionise both industry and humanity forever.