A photo series entitled 'From 6am to 6pm' by Sébastien Laval. — Photo nguoidothi.net.vn

HÀ NỘI — Sixteen Vietnamese and international artists display their works at an exhibition showing different perspectives on life in Hà Nội.

The exhibition, Hà Nội – A City in Photography, is the first one organised in the framework of Photo Hanoi’23 – International Photography Biennial. The French Institute in Việt Nam initiated the event with the support of the Hà Nội People’s Committee.

The displayed photos are made in different styles and span years. They all have the common theme of a love for Hà Nội.

Hà Nội in the exhibition appears in many shapes and forms, distinguished by the personal introspections of each artist. Visitors to the exhibition may discover a familiar Hà Nội or a strange land that bears endless resemblances.

“The displaying photos were taken at different times, so it is a rare chance for viewers to see different images and different beauties of Hà Nội,” said Maika Elan, a Vietnamese representative artist.

Visitors at the exhibition in Hà Nội. — Photo nguoidothi.net.vn

The artists include veteran Nguyễn Hữu Bảo, Nguyễn Thế Sơn, Peter Steinhauer, Alexandre Garel and Veronika Radulovic. The exhibition runs from 8am to 5pm at Art and Culture Centre, 22 Hàng Buồm Street, until June 3.

Within the framework of Photo Hanoi’23 – International Photography Biennale, there are also more than 20 solo and group exhibitions and more than 20 sidelines events will be organised.

The event has the presence of more than 100 Vietnamese and international photographers, curators, speakers and experts in the field of photography.

“It is also very good for Vietnamese photographers and the Vietnamese public to be exposed to international works to establish a dialogue between arts from Vietnam and arts from other parts of the world,” said Thierry Vergon, Director of the French Institute of Hà Nội and general coordinator of the project.

“So what we expect is also to give a really good exposure to what is happening in Việt Nam.

“It helps to create a better understanding of each other’s culture and helps the scene gain maturity by showing lead examples of what is done in photography in the world, expressing photography as a form of art but also on how to promote and expose it, which are very important aspects.

“There is a lack in Việt Nam, for instance, of curators for photography. This is perhaps something that will help some experts try to become more involved in creating photographic exhibitions.”

This project results from a collaboration between French and Vietnamese partners, with the support of many international partners.

The event dedicated to the exhibition and the photographic practice has the ambition to present during a little more than one month many activities in a significant number of places in Hà Nội.

Exhibitions will be organised in the districts of Hà Nội, allowing the general public and professionals to discover the richness of contemporary photography and the treasures of heritage photography.

A visitor looks at photos taken at different times in Hà Nội. — Photo nguoidothi.net.vn

The event will present hybrid artistic expressions based on photographic techniques, old collections of famous photographers, works by young photographers presented for the first time in a solo format, and a selection of works by women photographers from the Vietnamese diasporas.

The diversity of the exhibition venues will also be an opportunity to discover places in the capital dedicated to creativity.

Several roundtables and debates will allow the audience to reflect on the photography situation in Việt Nam. The round tables will be organised in person and via Zoom and streamed on the fan page photo.photohanoi.

A series of outreach activities are scheduled throughout the biennale, including workshops, training, film screenings and portfolio reviews.

“The event is held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and France,” said Đỗ Đình Hồng Director of the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports at the event launching ceremony.

“It is a large-scale event in photography to promote creative activities in the culture industry of Hà Nội.”

Photo Hanoi'23 offers the public a fresh and fascinating look at contemporary photography in Việt Nam and the world, contributing to introducing and promoting beautiful images of the capital and its people. — VNS