Exhibition introduction
Hoa Ta Gallery and Vin Gallery are honored to introduce the solo photography exhibition of Nguyen Ngoc Hai, fondly referred to as “Hải Ô”.The exhibition “IN THE ACT”.
A photo series featuring a unique and distinctive visual language, breaking away from the influence of Pictorialism, standardized beauty, and common aesthetics prevalent in Vietnam. It offers a fresh approach to conveying thoughts through sincere observations and contemplation, infused with a contemporary essence to capture the essence of modern life and thoughts, particularly those of the youth.
Hải Ô’s photographs employ a poetic play of light and shadow, emphasizing the harmonious balance of elements and capturing decisive moments (a nod to Henri Cartier Bresson) to showcase intrigue and intimacy, revealing the ever-evolving beauty of real life.
Hải Ô’s photographs employ a poetic play of light and shadow, emphasizing the harmonious balance of elements and capturing decisive moments (a nod to Henri Cartier Bresson) to showcase intrigue and intimacy, revealing the ever-evolving beauty of real life. From the vast expanse of nature to everyday objects like dried fish, wine jars, or house geckos, each image presents captivating moments that evoke interest and smiles. Whether portraying the vibrant scenes of daily life or delicately depicting relationships and human emotions, the collection culminates in a familiar sentiment – “life is beautiful,” yet now understood in a richer and deeper context.
- Photography Exhibition: “IN THE ACT”
- Time & Date: 10:00 to 17:00 | May 20 to June 3, 2024.
- Location: Vin Gallery – 35/8 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
This exhibition, titled ‘IN THE ACT,’ represents the culmination of Hải Ô’s devoted work in creating a unique experience of the ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY. It features an individual visual language that is authentically rustic yet distinctly Vietnamese, visually unique in its expression, and produced to international Fine Art standards.
Simple and endearing as a folk song about the homeland of Viet Nam:
“If it’s hard to go or to do, then back to the land to find fiddler crabs
Back to the river to find fishes, back to the field to find crabs”
Hải envisions himself as a graceful egret (a common bird and popular symbolic images in Vietnamese tradition), gracefully gliding across the land, encountering and immersing in life… It all commences with a deliberate flutter of wings, merging a sense of wonder and exhilaration.
This exhibition tells a personal tale full of empathy and humor that Hai conveys through his work. It narrates the story of a young man who dedicated a decade of his youth to exploring and immersing himself in the tapestry of urban and rural landscapes. Armed with nothing but a camera and a heart that is open, pure, and tender – he cherishes every small miracle that unfolds before him.
Hải believes that when a photograph is captured, it encapsulates a unique world within—a different dimension, a parallel reality containing elements that viewers can interpret in their own ways, forging a connection with the artist.
The exhibition serves as a reflection, compilation, and contemplation of a chapter in Hải’s life journey, intertwined with photography. It carefully curates memories and the surprising peculiar he has experienced through his unwavering and organic photography practice.
Seemingly unrelated images are meticulously curated and arranged unfolding cohesively in segments that balance spontaneous whimsy with thoughtful contemplation, rich in empathy for humanity and life. Despite being captured with different cameras and printed in varying sizes, this diversity does not dilute the cohesive essence. Instead, it enriches and enhances the flexibility in Hải’s distinctive and characterful PHOTOGRAPHY LANGUAGE, promising exhibition visitors a stunning experience. promising exhibition visitors a stunning experience.
Some of exhibited works
About the photographer
Nguyễn Ngọc Hải, born in 1995, also known asHải Ô, is a Vietnamese photographer whose work primarily focuses on documentary photography. He wields the camera not as a tool for recording, but as a powerful language to capture and celebrate the unexpected beauty woven into the fabric of everyday life in Vietnam. He believes that capturing reality involves creating space within the image itself, prompting viewers to consider alternative perspectives.
Hải Ô is the co-founder of dédé Photos Collectivea group of like-minded photographers committed to the art of visual storytelling. Furthermore, he established Ladi Record a project dedicated to publishing a series of periodicals focused on documentary photography that explores life in Vietnam and neighboring regions.
Hoa Ta Gallery and Vin Gallery proudly present a harmonious fusion of artistic expression and top-tier production quality, adhering to the esteemed standards of Fine Art Photography.
