KVT – Identity

KVT takes a stroll through WHAT IS IDENTITY? and says ‘I guess I wanted more oomph’ but ‘I wish that more countries would follow this example and promote student exchange programs and residencies in cultural areas’.

30 young Viet and Swede artists showing us their stuff from exchange programs should have knocked our socks off at times, but instead it only gave me a slightly satisfied sigh.

Satisfied because nearly all the young Viet recipients were obviously in a space removed from the sometimes too conservative stuff dished up at Uni student shows in Hanoi. Let’s hope they keep on with the contextual approach but let’s hope for greater resolution. The Swedes were a little disappointing but pretty much on track if this was a final year show at a lot of Western Art Schools. I guess I wanted more oomph. They tried to throw a few intellectual challenges our way (sometimes a few too many) and a few sort of got bogged down in an identity crisis miasma. Some work was a little derivative, but you expect that from talented youngsters voraciously gobbling up the world. Goodness some of them really wanted me to examine and ponder their intricate pieces. I was a bit relieved that on the day I was there the power failed on the upper floor and my visit was cut short on my second round. It was good to see experiments with sound and video and perhaps some of these worked the best. Mind you my special favorite, and perhaps it was only because I’d just stumbled down the stairs after the lights went out or because my head was reeling with overload, was the very small and almost very conventional picture of embroidered chairs all embroidered together. Every student show needs a special surprise like this one. Also it was good not to be exposed to too many fatuous artists’ statements. Pity about the grunge look of the gallery….or was that intended?

No matter the final exhibition, it’s the value of the exchange itself to the individual that is important and to judge the value of the experience on what’s on show at Yet Kieu would be utter stupidity. It’s like saying that because a pup has graduated from an obedience training course it should be acting like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin.

I wish that more countries would follow this example and promote student exchange programs and residencies in cultural areas.