The Factory is delighted to welcome Cambodian artist Khvay Samnang for a joint discussion with Tuấn Mami – titled ‘Living on the Edge’ – sharing art practices that look into the physical degradation of the environment and its impact on the human psyche, as part of the public programs for Tuan Mami’s on-going solo show – ‘In One’s Breath – Nothing Stands Still‘. Before the discussion, Samnang’s critically-acclaimed film ‘Preah Kunlong’, recently premiered at documenta14, will be screened (starting from 3PM).
What connects the lives of the inhabitants of Hà Nam in Northern Vietnam, and the Chong people in the southwestern province of Koh Kong, Cambodia? How do these separate communities, both exposed to differing processes of industrialization and modernization, deal with environmental threats and mental/spiritual degradation? How have they transformed old ways of living and believing, and adapted to change? Is it possible at all to justify man’s need to continuously ‘develop’ and expand, even at the cost of losing the essential elements needed for the sustainability of his fellow human beings? Is ‘sustainable development’ a utopia or a possible future? How do visual artists working with these communities, in a more socially conscious sphere, communicate such issues to the wider public – who may or may not have set foot on such sites? Is there such a thing as ‘sustainable artistic creations’?
Join Tuấn Mami and Cambodian artist Khvay Samnang to find out!
Event schedule is as below:
- 3-4PM: Screening of Preah Kunlong by Khvay Samnang
- 4-6PM: Living on the Edge – a panel discussion with Tuấn Mami and Khvay Samnang
This talk will take place in English with Vietnamese translation.
*Photo: Khvay Samnang, Preah Kunlong, 2016-2017, Digital still from Two-channel HD video, color, sound, 18’43″. Dancer/Choreographer by Nget Rady.
**Participants of the event allow The Factory and co-organizer (if applicable) to use their images and statements as documentary for the program, for non-commercial purposes such as: archive, press, media, promotion on our website, Facebook etc
