Dino Mehle Photographs Street Life in Saigon and the Mekong Delta
Dino Mehle's photographic collection illustrates the essence of street life in Saigon, depicting the city as a marketplace, corridor, living room, playground, and waiting area. He captures transient moments without theatrical effects, focusing on ordinary actions such as a man on a moped accompanied by dogs, children engaged in football, and men gathered around a chessboard. These images portray urban existence in Ho Chi Minh City, where sidewalks and streets merge domestic and commercial environments. The use of vibrant colors and textures reinforces this relationship. The series moves from Saigon to the Mekong Delta, showcasing the contrast between urban density and open landscapes. Mehle's method prioritizes observation and the spirit of place over idealized compositions.
Key facts
- Dino Mehle photographed street life in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City
- The series documents everyday scenes rather than staging or interpreting them
- Mehle's work is compared to street photography traditions of William Klein and Martin Parr
- Images include a man on a moped with two dogs, children playing football on a pavement, and men at a makeshift chessboard
- Colour and film texture are central to the photographs' sense of closeness
- The journey continues from Saigon to the Mekong Delta, where urban density thins
- The work contrasts two paces: an anticipating city and a landscape inviting pause
- The photographs were published by C41 Magazine
Entities
Artists
- Dino Mehle
- William Klein
- Martin Parr
Institutions
- C41 Magazine
Locations
- Saigon
- Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Mekong Delta