Life: A User’s Manual
From June 29th, 2024, Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA) introduces “Life: A User’s Manual”, presenting lively and unique perspectives from young artists through their diverse and creative works.
The exhibition features more than 60 artworks of various genres: paintings, multi-media installations, video-art by 11 young talents of contemporary art: Vũ Hoàng, Bùi Quốc Khánh, Trương Văn Khánh (Keith Khánh Trương), Phạm Nguyễn Đăng Khoa (Koa Phạm), Nguyễn Xuân Lam, Lê Vũ Anh Nhi (Mifa), Z.T Nguyễn, Hoàng Thiện Phúc, Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ (Cậu Bé Thỏ), Phạm Văn Vũ (Tèo Phạm) and Jack Greeley-ward.
The title of the exhibition: “Life: A User’s Manual” is inspired by the well-known novel of the same name by French writer Georges Perec published in 1978. Instead of focusing on grand themes or dramatic narratives, the exhibition celebrates the beauty and inherent values in the ordinary moments of daily life. Here, the act of creating art is closely intertwined with life experiences - as a journey of unstoppable exploration within each individual’s inner world.
Through the diverse themes and fresh visual languages, “Life: A User’s Manual” brings up existential questions that each of us encounters while growing up, inviting viewers to contemplate and find meanings in their own journeys.
While Cậu Bé Thỏ deeply encapsulates the loneliness that comes with navigating social media in our modern lives, Hoàng Thiện Phúc delivers a dialogue with the natural world - reminiscent of Don Quixote’s legendary journey in search of transformation. Mifa, through the use of color and shape, vividly depicts the inner spiritual journey, reflecting deep understandings of stillness, while underlying struggle packed with conflict and turmoil.
Artist Vũ Hoàng’s playful, animal-like installation works remind us of childhood memories with favourite games. Similarly, Jack’s vibrant and lively animations capture the ramblings of everyday thoughts, with each frame reflecting those fleeting moments that are filled with meanings of life.
Z.T Nguyễn’s exploration of the concept of “night architecture” delves into memory, remembering light, sounds, and movements, while Keith Khánh Trương combines virtual materiality with tangible memories to raise questions about gender norms and traditional society’s classes. Koa Phạm’s use of bath bombs to create colourful paintings represents the joy of experimenting with different materials, suggesting the unexpected beauty that arises from the creative processes.
Xuân Lam offers new interpretations of historical objects and posters, and challenges us to reflect on the past through a modern lens, whileTèo Phạm’s innocent-looking creations are like a shell for a satirical sense of humor, allowing the viewers to discover the layers of meaning hidden deep within.
As the only featured millennial artist, Quốc Khánh demonstrates experimental attitude, an endless exploring ability,a constant drive for innovation, and freedom of expression across generations.
Through “Life: A User’s Manual” exhibition, VCCA continuously promotes its mission of accompanying and nurturing young creative talents, opening up opportunities for artists from different parts of the country to exhibit and introduce their art, as well as receive criticism from the professionals and general public.
“Life: A User’s Manual” is open to the public from 29.06.2024 to 28.07.2024 at Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA), B1-R3 Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, 72A Nguyễn Trãi, Quận Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội.
