Liminal

Liminal

France occupied Vietnam in the late 18th century and thus French culture had a large impact on Vietnam. This is particularly evident in Vietnamese architecture. Not surprisingly, French culture, architecture, and landscape have always fascinated me. During my return trip to Vietnam in 1995, I visited Hue, the ancient capital city. This city has many examples of beautiful French buildings influenced by Vietnamese traditions, being constructed in harmony with the landscape.

During my artist in residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, 2003 I investigated my new surroundings which seemed strangely familiar; echoing the grand colonial architecture of Saigon, Hue, and other Vietnamese cities. The profound emotions that resulted led me to create a new series of photographic images that is Liminal. This series focuses on exploring the landscape, society, and architecture of France, and the notion of disparity between the Eastern traditions of representation to those of the West. The depiction of the environment alters from culture to culture. I subverted the colonial trajectory of influence by using the French landscape to recapture the atmosphere and feelings I grew up within Vietnam.

© Dacchi Dang, 2006 All rights reserved