Thunder Treasures

For our fourth UTOPIA commission we are pleased to share Thunder Treasures by Bink Bulthaweenan, in collaboration with Molly Ellison. 

Exploring coping mechanisms for surviving in chaotic and uncertain times, Thunder Treasures reflects on ways humans can build mental resilience and protect their wellbeing from harm by adapting to the times and strengthening their connection with the five physical senses. 

Artist Bink Bulthaweenan acts as a non-binary representational figure, guiding the viewer on a journey to a futuristic utopia that is created in the individual’s own mind, and through connection with the body. Using a combination of poetry, performance and archival footage, Thunder Treasures is influenced by Bink’s Thai heritage and personal experience of using meditation practices, initially forced on them as a child, to cope with the stresses and anxieties of contemporary life as an adult. 

Thunder Treasures was created in collaboration with Molly Ellison, a Graphic Communications student, who has produced the graphic elements through creative coding - a unique process using 2D code to produce 3D moving graphics. Working in collaboration, Molly has created a graphic illusion of the utopian figure which Bink has embodied.