As part of Than Sok’s ongoing investigation into the materials and rituals of belief systems, he presents us with a collection of objects and watercolor drawings of their likeness. This series titled “Promotion” considers customary notions of giving and receiving, specifically drawn from his experiences in New York during his residency, and in his travel back to Phnom Penh. Than initially deferred his required studio hours to serve as a monk for two weeks at Wat Samakiram, a Cambodian Buddhist temple in Brooklyn. This short term was in part to honor his parents, but also to compare the experience of monkhood to his previous service as a novice assistant in his village temple in Takeo, Cambodia. In accordance with tradition, during his ordination and departure ceremonies, special attention was given to offerings. The temples monks offered seven pieces of orange cloth that complete a monks garb, while the warmly welcoming laity offered alms meant to serve basic needs of material life to be used after his term was served. Than carried these gifts in a suitcase to Phnom Penh, arriving home at a time of growing energy surrounding political elections. Citizens could hardly escape some form of participation, and Than, like his neighbors, was at times engulfed by various passing political rallies. Politicians and campaign volunteers passed out gifts to Than and the many others like him; these gifts included tee-shirts, hats and raincoats bearing political party logos, as well as sarongs and cash in Cambodian riels. Accumulated in a short period of time and offered to him in different capacities either as a monk, or as a layperson and a citizen, these gifts prompted Than to acknowledge the two-sided nature of all offerings: to give is to hope to receive. While the political parties offerings were most obviously promotional enticements, the social realm of alms giving is also in promotion of a belief system, as is the monks uniform.
