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Gang of Five Chancing Modern
20 July - 9 September 2018
The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre
15 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening 6:00pm Friday July 20, 2018
Art Vietnam is honored and very happy to announce our collaboration with The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, in presenting the archival works of Gang of Five Chancing Modern, opening July 20, 2018.
The curator, Le Thuan Uyen, has worked tirelessly with Art Vietnam for over two years to present this group of artists, first at the historical Vietnam Film Studio in October 2017 in Hanoi, a survey of their works over the years with new works presented and now in Ho Chi Minh City at The Factory, archival materials, films, interviews and historical works from the early 90's will be shown.
Gang of Five (Hong Viet Dung, Ha Tri Hieu, Dang Xuan Hoa, Tran Luong, Pham Quang Vinh) holds an esteemed position in the history of fine art in Vietnam in the post Doi Moi (Reform) era. They emerged in the early 80's as Vietnam was struggling to rebuild after decades of war. Five male artists bound by friendship and a passion to express themselves freely without constraint, with a hope for the future that in the past was inconceivable, they pursued their dreams and consequently inspired others to follow.
The first rendition of Gang of Five Chancing Modern at the Vietnam Film Studio in Hanoi was a resounding success as artists, art lovers, the curious and mainstream populace came to see a group of artists most had just heard whisperings of but had no idea about their art practice. Also the intrigue of entering the government studio where the classic films of Vietnam were produced in the late 1940-70's added to the mysterious appeal. Historical materials and film accompanied the works presented as viewers and artists together reminisced about those early years of emerging from a country of war into a modern era enjoined with the world.
The works presented in this second rendition at The Factory, itself a symbol of the country firmly positioned at the vanguard of art development in Vietnam, will be a walk through the lives of these 5 artists as they transitioned from works largely patterned of country to works arising from the soul. One can see the nascent hopes and dreams of a group of young artists in works that are bold, distinct and unique in form, expressive of new found joys and freedoms.
Gang of Five holds a very special place in my life as I was compelled to move to Hanoi after reading Dr. Nora Taylor's article in 1993 published in the Vietnam Investment Review entitled,
Art's "Gang of Five": the ones to watch hold a third joint exhibition of art from the heart.
25 years later, with a heart full of gratitude to these artists who inspired my life in this beautiful country where my heart mysteriously lies, I invite all of you to join us in celebrating the lives of these bold artists who dared to dream of a better world.
Suzanne Lecht
Art Vietnam
For further information, please see
Image: Gang Of Five, circa 1993, image courtesy of Gerhard Jörén
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