Episode 13: "To question accepted reality" w/ Chris Coles

Poet in Bangkok

In Episode 13, Colin and Donald chat with American expressionist painter Chris Coles at BrainWake Café in Bangkok. Chris talks about his choice to reject realism in order to better capture the ugly, primal, truth of the Bangkok nightlife—and the human condition. He shares his thoughts on the role of fine arts in Thailand, how it is intrinsically different than in the West and why his work disrupts some of the narratives propagated by the nation’s upper-class. Chris discusses the origins of “Bangkok Noir,” an expatriate art movement popular around the globe. And, while reflecting on the darker aspects of life in Southeast Asia, he recalls the violence during Bangkok’s political unrest in 2010. Chris also takes time to describe how the sobering, green marshes of Maine resemble the discombobulating, neon-lit, bars of Bangkok’s sex tourism industry. The hosts discuss recent developments to the crew of the Harbinger 2 mission on Mars and report of a hacking at the embassy where ISECG whistle-blower Dr. Pim Weeresethakul has sought asylum. Donald describes reactions to the bukruk invasion in Bangkok, and Colin shares details about his return to life in the USA. Written and produced by Donald and Colin. Edited and Mixed by Colin. Music by Reports (reports.bandcamp.com/). Thanks to Izotope (www.izotope.com) for the phenomenal sound editing software.