Thao Nguyen Phan
Reincarnations of Shadows
Visual artist Thao Nguyen Phan (b. 1987) intertwines mythology and folklore from her homeland’s turbulent past with current pressing issues of excessive consumption and the destruction of the earth’s resources. The intersection between the documentary and the supernatural take centre stage in this exhibition, which evokes ghostly presences, lush landscapes and unofficial narratives.
Thao Nguyen Phan’s spiritual moving image works revolve around the interaction between people, architecture and nature in Vietnam and the broader Mekong region, which has been plagued by natural as well as manmade tragedies throughout history and still to this day is characterized by the legacy of colonialism, ongoing industrialization and increasing climate change.
Reincarnations of Shadows introduces a deep layering of audio, visual and tactile references. Through more than 100 works from the past 10 years, the exhibition will unfold the artist’s captivating imagery through poetic film installations, meticulously executed lacquer paintings, light sculptures, delicate watercolours and architectural interventions.
The exhibition is curated by Henriette Bretton-Meyer, presented in collaboration with CPH:DOX and organised by Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan in collaboration with Kunsthal Charlottenborg.
Supported by the Augustinus Foundation, the Danish Arts Foundation, the Obel Family Foundation, the William Demant Foundation.