Centre for Contemporary Photography
Fitzroy, Melbourne
11 July-30 August 2008
Strangers in the(ir) City: Contemporary Vietnamese Photography introduces a selection of photographic works by a new generation of Vietnamese photographers living and working in Ho Chi Minh City.
For the past fifteen years Western art centres and museums have exhibited Asian photo-based art, particularly from China, India, Korea and Singapore. However, today very little is known about Southeast-Asian contemporary art and photography especially from Vietnam.
Bui Huu Phuoc's Strangers series updates the notion of Western street-photography, taking portraits of an army of motorcycle riders finding their way through chaos and pollution in downtown Saigon whilst also carrying assorted goods and family members. Motorcycle-riders have replaced bicycle-riders, much like a new group of uneducated, marginalised and unemployed youth have replaced old Saigon picturesque street-vendors.
Nam Bui The Trung's series entitled In the South of Cholon, are archeological photographs. He works like an archeologist searching his city for cultural layers which speak of the memories of ancient Vietnam. He pictures old family altars as contemporary still lifes, or old portals placed as metaphysical details in the setting of Saigon's contemporary urban outskirts.
This news message is supported by The Bazaar, a marketplace to buy and sell creative objects. Earn more revenue by selling your prints, downloadable images, or custom products. Set up your store today and stand a chance to have your products featured on DesignTAXI, towards millions of lovers of creative content!
