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.