阿比查邦・韋拉斯塔古1970年於曼谷出生，之後成長在泰國東北部的坤敬。他在泰國蓬勃的商業電影界中始終從事獨立製片。1999年，他成立Kick the Machine電影公司，致力推廣實驗和獨立電影發展。1997年，他與Gridthiya Gaweewong創立了曼谷實驗電影節，後續舉辦了三屆，直至2008年結束。他的作品常見於許多國際藝術展覽和電影節，包括2013年的沙迦雙年展 (Sharjah Biennial)、2012年的第十三屆德國卡塞爾文件展 (dOCUMENTA 13)、2006年的利物浦雙年展 (Liverpool Biennial)、2004年的釜山雙年展 (Busan Biennial) 和2001年的伊斯坦堡雙年展 (Istanbul Biennial)；他也參與多項當代藝術個展和群展，包括 Haus der Kunst、沃克藝術中心 (Walker Art Center)、紐約的新美術館 (New Museum)、愛爾蘭現代藝術博物館 (Irish Museum of Modern Art)，還有巴黎現代藝術博物館 (Musée d’Art Modern de la Ville de Paris)。2009年，電影長片《波米叔叔的前世今生》(Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives)榮獲第63屆坎城電影節金棕櫚獎。其他長片作品包括：《華麗之墓》 (Cemetery of Splendour, 2015)、《波米叔叔的前世今生》(2010)、《戀愛症候群》(Syndromes and a Century, 2006)、《熱帶幻夢》(Tropical Malady, 2004)、《鐵雞諜網種情花》(The Adventures of Iron Pussy, 2003)、《極樂森林》(Blissfully Yours, 2002)和《正午顯影》(Mysterious Object at Noon, 2000)。

Edited by Weerasethakul himself, this publication offers a collection of perspectives on the multi-faceted practice of one of the leading artists and filmmakers of his generation. Encompassing the full complexity of the artist’s practice across media, The Serenity of Madness compiles a wide range of source materials and texts that have informed his work over the last two decades, including personal photographs, email conversations among friends, excerpts of websites and scientific studies, and poetry. The publication also features interviews by the film curator Andrea Lissoni, the art curator Gridthiya Gaweewong, and the Thai political activist Withit Chandawong.

The Serenity of Madness invites readers into Weerasethakul’s intimate exploration of his influences—in his words, “like a stream of consciousness, suffocated by the data.” It opens up new perspectives on an artistic practice that is anchored in stories often excluded from history in and out of Thailand: voices of the poor and ill, marginalized beings, and those silenced and censored for personal and political reasons.

ICI’s Sourcebook series is dedicated to contemporary artists’ personal perspectives on social, political, and cultural issues. Each book, edited by a single artist, includes a collection of primary research materials and influences, such as rare archival documents, artwork studies, and excerpts of landmark publications, selected from the artist’s own archive and annotated with personal commentary.