Video of a single color channel and with sounds. Dimensions variable.

Description

Red Etude is a video art work by Nguyễn Minh Phước. The artist conceives of the Vietnamese society as a large symphony orchestra comprising many sections and instrument families harmonizing under the direction of the sole conductor—the Communist Party of Vietnam. Vietnam’s politics is heavily influenced by China’s; for that reason, the main character in the video is a conductor in military uniform, performing Tai Chi fan dance in the foreground. Images behind the conductor come from archival videos that the artist spontaneously shot in a diary form over a 10-year course. The work reflects the imaginings of an artist, or of an ordinary person, about issues in their society.

Description by ViAA based on materials provided by the artist.