Collection by Diana Budds
Bangkok's Storied Shophouses
Cities and countries have many faces, and the one known to travelers and foreigners often differs from that of the everyday. In his photo series "Shophouses" German photographer Peter Nitsch looks beyond Bangkok's skyscrapers and neon lights to show the storefronts occupied by citizens of the bustling megacity. Published in a book and on display at Bangkok's Kathmandu Gallery until September 26th, the series captures an intimate look at the brightly colored, packed-to-the-gills spaces of Southeast Asia's everyman.
"Shophouse Front," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
The city as a living space, and that with its related concept of urbanism as a social phenomenon that according to Louis Wirth describes the rationalised lifestyle of urban people in comparison to the provinciality of rural inhabitants, is among the great themes of contemporary photography. Barely uttered, the �magic word� creates in our minds large pictures in which develop the technological aesthetic of urban-building excesses in globalised mega-cities. What we often forget in this respect is a second dimension of urbanism, which embraces the coexistence of various types of people, each with their own identity, in a limited living space. With his SHOPHOUSES/4 x 8 m Bangkok series of works, Nitsch focuses precisely on this dimension.
"Wheels and Coffee To-Go," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Antiques," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Laundry," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Florist's," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Cookshop," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Cleaning Up," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)
"Printing House," Bangkok, Thailand. (2010)