Born in 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand, Nipan Oranniwesna has participated in international exhibitions such as the Busan Biennale, Korea (2008) and the 52nd Venice Biennale (2007). He lectures in the visual arts department of Bangkok University.‘Let Us Progress Towards...’ is part of a series of paper works in which Oranniwesna explores the concept of nationalism, and the roles that language and meaning play in the fostering of national identity. Taking national anthems as the subject of scrutiny, Oranniwesna believes that they can be instrumental in creating a nation’s collective memory, as generations of citizens, through repeated choruses of the anthem, produce a collective sentiment about nationhood. Made of delicate paper, and pierced holes that form the lyrics of selected national anthems, the series queries the idea of national identity as both a form of cultural conditioning as well as a constructed entity. ‘Let Us Progress Towards...’ features the lyrics of the Singapore national anthem.
