refractive error is a solo exhibition by niwat manatpiyalert. from a peculiar space devoid of living beings, yet filled with shimmering reflections from certain objects, a state of blurred vision emerges—both near and far. this distortion results in overlapping and warped images, deviating from reality. the phenomena raises numerous questions, inspiring this new creative work by niwat manatpiyalert. in 2024, during an exploration of his hometown in kanchanaburi, artist niwat manatpiyalert encountered something both fascinating and unsettling—an enormous landfill located not far from a residential area. this site was once a laterite pit, where soil was excavated for construction projects such as roads and houses, before eventually transforming into the city’s dumping ground. his first instinct upon seeing this space was to document it extensively through photography. this photographic series led him to various observations that sparked his research into waste management and recycling processes, particularly the reuse of aluminum. aluminum is a material frequently found in daily life—either in its pure form or combined with other materials—appearing in shimmering packaging, cans, and scraps. when processed, it becomes a solid, reflective metal known for its durability, weather resistance, and heat insulation properties. due to its versatility, aluminum is widely used across industries, including household items, transportation, construction, and even warfare. this material, with its intriguing transformation and industrial significance, became the central medium for niwat’s artistic experimentation in this exhibition. for the refractive error exhibition, the works are showcased at jing jai gallery, located within jing jai market in chiang mai—a city that has faced persistent pollution issues for years. this ongoing environmental crisis fueled the artist’s interest in further researching waste management and its connection to chiang mai. chiang mai is a city of contrasts, with its rich history, mountainous landscapes, lush forests, and the ping river flowing through it. during his fieldwork across various areas—both in the highlands and the city — niwat manatpiyalert engaged in conversations with locals from districts such as samoeng, mae chaem, mae wang, and wiang haeng. these interactions revealed the region’s cultural and ethnic diversity, the people’s beliefs, and their coexistence with nature. the artist explores the discourse of urban perspectives on highland communities and vice versa, reflecting on the recurring issues of pollution, haze, dust, and environmental destruction. these problems affect everyone annually, yet seem inescapable. in an effort to document the presence of dust, niwat conducted field explorations across both urban and agricultural areas. he chose to capture his observations through various cameras, including digital cameras, mobile phones, and super 8 film cameras. through his attempts to focus on the visible, he often encountered blurred or distorted images, resembling a condition known as “refractive error.” this phenomenon became a metaphor for his work, highlighting how environmental issues impact the daily lives of people in chiang mai while challenging the ways in which we perceive and understand these realities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 the super 8 camera is a vintage model that, in the past, was commonly used by researchers conducting fieldwork and by journalists capturing news and documentaries requiring agility due to its compact size. by connecting the two locations—kanchanaburi and chiang mai — the refractive error exhibition narrates the artist’s experiences, observations, and inquiries into overlooked spaces where mismanagement has led to profound societal and environmental consequences. these neglected areas directly and indirectly alter people’s ways of life, prompting the artist to magnify seemingly minor details, making them more visible and encouraging deeper reflection on social issues. the exhibition features a diverse range of works, including hyperrealistic paintings, sculptures made from recycled waste materials, and video recordings capturing dust particles. all these pieces will be showcased at jing jai gallery, within jing jai market, chiang mai. refractive error exhibition by niwat manatpiyalert the exhibition will run from june 5 to september 7, 2025, with an opening reception on june 5, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm at jing jai gallery, within the jing jai market project, chiang mai. exhibition hours: monday to friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm saturday and sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm admission : free admission for more information, please contact: info.jingjaigallery@central.co.th