In 2020, Napin Mandhachitara was at the Pathumwan intersection to observe and photograph the pro-democracy rally against former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government. After the police dispersed the protest using chemical-laced water cannons and physical force, the young protesters decided to leave.
"It was raining and I walked past some schoolgirls who were waiting for their parents to pick them up. One of the girls handed me a grey polka-dot umbrella and said, 'Please fight for us'," explained Napin, a lecturer at the Department of Experience Design for Integrated Media at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).
"The grey polka-dot umbrella became a significant object because it started the project called 'The Persistence'. We were total strangers, but she spoke those words to me with hope. As an adult, I put hope in the younger generation and they put their hope in me. That's how the project began."
Napin teamed up with Pichak Tanunchaibutra, a lecturer at the Department of Digital Media Design and Motion Pictures at KMITL, because they share similar interests in politics and had worked together on several art projects.
On display at Seacon Square Srinagarindra, "The Persistence" showcases photographs of objects that were used during political rallies between 2020 and 2024. One wall displays items used by the authorities such as bullet casings, rubber bullets, tear gas containers and razor wire.
Meanwhile, the opposite wall displays photographs of items used by young protesters such as an inflatable yellow duck, glass marbles, fireworks and white T-shirts dipped in red paint.
The inflatable yellow duck is featured because it was a key symbol of the rally. It started when parliament debated drafts for a constitutional amendment.
Young protesters brought inflatable yellow ducks to the parliament building. They were initially used as a gimmick to prevent MPs from escaping via the Chao Phraya River before voting on the people's constitution.
However, when the rally was met with a crackdown involving tear gas and high-pressure water cannon, the protesters used the inflatable yellow ducks as shields and they became a symbol of protection.
"It was unbelievable that these inflatable yellow ducks had become political objects. Back then, we saw many inflatable ducks of all sizes, as well as small toys and hair clips in the shape of yellow ducks," said Pichak.
"The ducks had become everyday objects symbolising the rising up of the people. People rose up to question, fight or do whatever it took to address problems. It is interesting that none of the items used by the protesters were weapons; they all were things found in our daily lives."
The exhibition items were collected by Napin and borrowed from protesters. Items that may catch viewers' eyes are an electronic monitoring device with a cute crochet covering and two white T-shirts covered in red paint.
Napin explained that while he was going through photos taken at the rallies, he noticed an activist wearing an electronic monitoring (EM) ankle bracelet which is used to track an individual's location. Unlike other EM devices, her device was wrapped in a handmade crochet cover. She told him that an artisan knitted it for her to help reduce the friction on her ankle which caused blisters.
The red-stained T-shirts belong to two protesters, Tantawan "Tawan" Tulanont and Orawan "Bam" Phuphong. On Jan 16, 2023, Tantawan and Orawan poured red paint on their white T-shirts to create the illusion of blood when they announced the revocation their own bail on lèse-majesté charges under Section 112. They demanded the restoration of bail rights to all political detainees.
Initially, the project was called "Resistance", but Napin wanted a title that did not imply violence.
"I felt that the project is about expression and a shared mindset. I got an idea from a movie where a character mentioned the word persistence," he explained.
"The character said if we truly believe in what we do, we must stand firm and keep going. This connected with the idea of the 2020 protest. Even though the protesters were suppressed or arrested, they did not give up; they still believed in their ideals.
"The ideal was to have peaceful rallies, exchange of ideas and respect for one another. That's why 'The Persistence' is a much better fit than 'Resistance'."
Pichak recalled that he had been interested in politics since his student days. He participated in a rally by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, better known as the Red Shirt protests, in 2010.
He also participated in rallies by the People's Democratic Reform Committee in 2013 and the pro-democracy rallies in 2020. Pichak went to these rallies because he was curious to understand the protesters' perspectives.
"When I was a student, I did not have the kind of courage that these young protesters have. They knew the risks. The point was not whether they are right or wrong. I was impressed that they dared to speak their mind and still kept moving forward even though they knew that they would be in trouble," said Pichak.
Napin believes that politics is connected to everything in life. He attended many rallies and protests because he wanted to understand people from different sides without judging them. He spent time exchanging ideas with many protesters.
In 2021, he met with the middle school students who joined the protests because they felt frustrated with the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We probably did not totally understand them, but the most important thing was that they needed someone to listen to them. The question is, did we?" Napin said.
In addition to the exhibition, a photo book of the same title is available which includes other items not displayed at the exhibition, such as "Prayut Get Out" flags, a uniform from the Department of Corrections Hospital and cookies shaped like the historical People's Party plaque.
Both Napin and Pichak are happy to share their experiences with visitors, but do not expect much feedback.
"Personally, I do not expect people to be interested in our work. It is like creating art; we do it because we want to. The gallery provides us a space to speak, so we speak. Whether people will listen or not is up to them," said Pichak.
Napin added: "I do not have high expectations from viewers; I expect more from art spaces. Since 2014, there has been censorship of art and media. When the gallery gave us a space, we were thrilled because there are some things that need to be said. As for the audience, whether they like it or not, I do not think that is our responsibility."
"The Persistence" runs at the People's Gallery P1, MunMun Srinakarin at Seacon Square Srinakarin, until July 5. Admission is free. For more information, visit Facebook: @BACCpopup.
