03 April 2025
Reexamining history
I feel fortunate not to have faced the starvation, mass casualties, and constant threat of bombing that defined earlier generations. Yet, while armed conflict has ended, true peace remains elusive, overshadowed by the new economic wars reshaping our lives.
The challenges posed by industrialization have raised my concerns about the notion of “innovation” – a concept often dictated by powerful nations engaging in a race for global economic dominance. Though I come from a small province in northern Vietnam, my town relies heavily on mining resources to fuel high-tech factories abroad. I have witnessed firsthand how industrialization has reshaped the identity of my community, transforming our land and altering our way of life. This swift transition from a traditional lifestyle to a modern, technology-driven existence – propelled by capitalism – has deepened my curiosity about the contradictions within this shift.
Collaboration with my community is central to my work. In my locality, the harmonious coexistence of sacred temples and bustling factories has inspired me. It has prompted me to reflect on the evolving dynamics of relationships and interdependencies shaped by the community’s changing context and emerging needs.
My upbringing in a family steeped in the Mother Goddess ritual – a practice passed down through generations – has fueled my exploration of social psychology and the shared consciousness within my community.
Additionally, my experience working in a local high-tech factory has given me an insider’s perspective on labour conditions and a visceral under - standing of the challenges faced by my fellow workers. Building trust and understanding the struggles around me enriches my work, allowing me to authentically reflect the stories and experiences of those I encounter.
My artworks span a range of media, from photographic light boxes and video installations to augmented reality and holograms. I use movement, dynamic lighting, and rhythm to convey fragmented memories collected from diverse sources – the internet, ritual ceremonies, and personal connections with friends and family.
Through these elements, I explore themes of the future, collective memory, and the human experience shaped by beliefs, desires, and political structures.
My work invites audiences to question these narratives and engage in dialogue about the complexities of contemporary life.
