A world-building workshop for primary students
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16 June 2023
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An exercise in seeing through
– a field trip to Lieu Dieu paper studio
The rough bark of trees is meticulously stripped away to reveal the tiny but essential element that makes paper: fiber. Humans sometimes actively accelerate the process of material transformation while at other times humbly become peripheral actors, patiently waiting for nature to freely choose its final form.
Each handmade sheet of paper is not just a medium for creation, but an artwork in itself, carrying within it a story of transformation; the rebirth of matter and the beauty of nature. Paper sometimes preserves the intangible, like family genealogies or folk tales; other times it serves as a bridge to the supernatural through the flames of ritual paper offerings – like Nguyen Thuy Hang’s artworks whose flesh and skin are given by traditional paper, or Linh San’s unspoken words invisibly written on ceramic paper sheets as thin as leaves.
During the visit, participants collectively explored the creative possibilities of handmade paper, experimenting with various dimensions, forms, and materials – extending well beyond conventional paper. Through this hands-on papermaking experience, participants have expanded their understanding of the relationship between humans and nature, between the tangible and the intangible, as well as developed a deeper understanding of both the diversity of natural materials and the recycling potential of the flora surrounding us.
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In absence, presence is not merely a one-dimensional experience, but rather a vibrant network between actors and actants* that are interlinked and constantly interacting. In this network, materials serve as both the main and supporting actors. Positioning art as a connector rather than the sole focus, the public programs revolving around In absence, presence uses physical materials to respond to cultural and social issues beyond the white cube. Let your eyes be deceived, your sense of touch misled by illusory textures, to break down any preconceptions and embark on a journey of self-interpretation and continuous meaning-making.
This event is part of a series of public and education programs initiated by Nhi Duong in co-curation with Bill Nguyen, in association with In absence, presence, an exhibition organized by Nguyen Art Foundation.
*Bruno Latour, in Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory (Oxford, 2005)