Tikkiwallah in Chiang Mai

My friend Rachna lives and works on one of the most beautiful pieces of land in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. It’s a lush, sprawling garden complex with several structures built over the years by the property’s owner. Plumeria, palms, and teak trees dot the yard, with staghorn ferns and orchids hanging from their branches, while vines and ivies creep along walls and garden floors throughout. It’s one of my favorite places in Thailand, and where I stay every time we work together.

Earlier this year, we spent a week at the complex, taking photographs for Rachna’s new Tikkiwallah collections. Similar to the work we did last year. A bit more focused this time around. We Stayed closer to home and worked with other friends in the north. It was quiet and relaxing. A perfect place and time.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the women Rachna works with. They’re talented and driven and manage to hold to many of their traditional arts while navigating the modern world. It doesn’t escape me, how lucky I’ve been in this life to experience the things I’ve experienced, to have met all of the wonderful people I’ve met over the years. I think about it often. My many great friends, and the many great things they do, in their work and in their communities. That’s all. For now.

Bangkok Constitutional 01

Listen: I’ve been taking long walks through the city to try and rid myself of the doldrums and bad thoughts that too much time indoors can inspire. I’ve taken to taking my digital camera and a single 135mm lens along with me.

I began to wonder if I could find the essence of Bangkok in its details. If all of the small things could add up to one magisterial whole. It’s a work in progress that may never progress past what it is at the moment–a good reason to go outside and walk and try to see things a bit differently, to notice again all of the small and large scenes that often pass by unseen. But I’m enjoying it, counting steps and pointing my camera at so many clichés, occasionally finding something unique and worthwhile.

Back to Bangkok

I barely recognized my apartment when I walked through the door three days ago. It felt more like walking into an old memory jogged loose. I was away for nearly 8 months, and being back is a bit jarring. Even after two weeks in state quarantine, it feels like I’m being eased into an older, forgotten life. And I’m still getting used to it.

I spent the better part of this year living an alternate reality and I’m still trying to remember everything I forgot about this one. There are books on my shelves I don’t remember buying. My refrigerator feels smaller. I can’t find things in the kitchen. Are these even my bedsheets? Where did I put all my Polaroids? There’s dust on the tabletops and even my hardiest succulents have given up their ghosts. I imagine some archeological digs are less confusing.

That being said, it’s nice to be back in Bangkok. It’s one small step toward normalcy, regardless of where the next steps may lead. I’m still gathering most of my thoughts, but I wanted to post something about being home. Or home-ish. It’s harder to tell these days.

These photographs were all taken before I left at the start of this year. But they feel a lot older than that now. Time capsules. Old memories jogged loose. So it goes.

Film Photography | Daily Life

I’ve been trying to keep a camera on me most days these days. Usually a small compact or something that fits snugly over my shoulder without adding too much weight or occupying too much thought while I’m out and about. More of a simple exercise in simply seeing the world. I’ve been trying to capture more movement, to see my surroundings more as a cinematographer might. Reading more film theory and editing concepts and trying to apply that to stills and street scenes from daily life. Studying rigid forms in an attempt to be a bit looser I guess, mostly with the belief that art is a kind of struggle in contrasts. Blah blah blah. So anyway, here are a few photographs from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Hong Kong. All shot on black & white film since the break of 2017.

Two Polaroids | Bangkok