Brian Jeffrey
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| Artist Tuấn Mami (left) presents his artwork at the exhibition’s inauguration. — Photo credit: the artist’s collection |
An art exhibition by the talented Vietnamese artist, Tuấn Mami, has kicked off at the Kuandu Fine Arts Museum in Taiwan.
This exhibition, titled A Silent Process, forms part of a decade-long project where Tuấn delves into studying the Vietnamese community settled in Taiwan.
Guests are led through an immersive installation starting with Vietnamese mats, where containers of soil feature an array of indigenous Vietnamese seeds such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, and medicinal plants. The artwork encourages collaboration as everyone is invited to craft soil balls with a seed or two within, fostering a sense of sharing.
“This endeavor showcases a profound sense of unity within the Vietnamese community in Taiwan by tracing the growth of this garden and the surrounding community,” Tuấn remarked.
“It’s a living process with no definite conclusion, so I am eager to witness its unrestricted future, hopeful that it will contribute to our contemporary ‘nomadic’ lifestyle.”
During his project, the artist connected with numerous individuals including Vietnamese brides, workers, and students. Though in Taiwan, they still yearn for their homeland and the familiar scents and flavors from back home.
Tuấn observed their efforts to cultivate Vietnamese plants in various spaces, from small rooftop gardens and school dormitory balconies to factory compounds and even vacant street corners.
However, realizing their longing for a piece of home is challenging, as many toil tirelessly from dawn to dusk, and Taiwan prohibits the import of seeds, plants, or fruits.
Through the garden and the narratives of these individuals and their plants, Tuấn seeks to unravel how the connection between food and the idea of home influences their mindset and daily existence.
This project aims to inspire hope for the diaspora and has garnered backing from the Kuandu Museum and the Vietnamese-Taiwanese community.
Tuấn is an avant-garde artist exploring interdisciplinary experimentation with site-specific installations, videos, performances, and conceptual art. He continuously delves into fresh mediums, techniques, and approaches to evolve with introspective inquiry.
His endeavors revolve around probing life’s intricacies, the social dynamics among people and their surroundings, to transform scenarios in ways that engage individuals or objects from a specific reality to partake in a shared social journey.
In addition to his creative pursuits, he co-founded and serves as the artistic director of Á Space – An Experimental Art Space.
The exhibition will be open for viewing until October 23 at the Kuandu Museum. — VNS
