» Note 8

The works Note 3, Note 5 and Note 8 form part of a series called The Shows that looks at the history of Nha San through the visual means of painting. The name Nha San refers to a group of artists who originated from and have forged close connections with Nha San Studio and Nha San Collective. As one of Vietnam’s longest-standing spaces and collectives, Nha San was initiated by artists in 1998 and continues to run today despite its many closures and re-openings. Nha San supports art practices that foster freedom of artistic expression and examines issues of contemporary life with criticality and care. By depicting singular moments taken from significant exhibitions and events that took place at Nha San over the last two decades, Lang’s series of “visual notes” render our collective memories into tangible forms that captures the passing of time in (art) history.

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Note 8:  
 
Upon the closure of Nha San Studio in 2011 and inspired by the boundless spirit of artistic freedom, the young generation of Nha San artists re-activated the organization through a series of mobile and guerrilla projects in public spaces, as well as large scale projects in collaboration with international institutes in Vietnam and abroad. In 2013, the group formed Nha San Collective, dedicated to examining art and modes of practicing art in relation to traditional, local and global socio-political contexts and histories. Whether with or without a physical space, Nha San Collective members constantly support each other in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in Vietnam, as well as seeking out and nurturing other young artists in the community.  
 
Destruo was the inaugural exhibition at Nha San Collective’s first physical space in Zone 9, Hanoi, Vietnam in 2013. The show was curated by guest artist Phan Thao Nguyen, featuring artworks by Hyounsang, Anahita Ghazvinizadeh, Phan Thao Nguyen, and Truong Cong Tung. 
 
The Mattress by Phan Thao Nguyen and Blind Map by Truong Cong Tung. 
 
(Edited from text excerpts provided by the artist and Galerie Quynh)