ShowroomTiane Doan na Champassak

Following an assignment for Stern in 2000, Champassak found himself returning for over a decade to the two small towns of Villupuram and Koovaagam in South India, where growing numbers of hijras, eunuch, transvestites and transgenders gather each year as Aravanis, worshippers of a local deity, for a festival filled with celebrations of a religious, mythological and sexual nature.
His distinctive use of flash illuminates his encounters in the dingy hotels temporarily turned into brothels, opening up room for the occupants where they can show themselves -and recede back into the darkness that brought them forth.

In Showroom, we find a strong emphasis on viewing, looking, eyeing, staring and staring back, not because Champassak invites us to be cheap voyeurs at an exotic festival, but because it is for our eyes to do the thinking.

French photographer of Asian descent, Tiane Doan na Champassak (1973) was first recognized for his documentary work (Agence Vu) before exploring a more artistic approach. His photography is driven by a fascination for gender identity issues, revealing a decidedly aesthetic sensibility.
In 2011, he self-published The King of Photography and Looters, based on vernacular photography found online. Spleen and Ideal and The Father of Pop Dance are published in 2012.

date of publication: Jan 2013

links
website Champassak

text: Kavitha Rajagopalan
: hardcover | 176 pp | 19 x 27 cm
language: english
ISBN: 978946083XXXX
price: € 35.00

pre-order

order now and receive a signed copy

special edition

print run: 100
price: € 75.00