Thao Nguyen Phan's 'Becoming Alluvium' at Chisenhale Gallery explores Mekong River's ecological and cultural narratives
Thao Nguyen Phan's ongoing project, 'Becoming Alluvium' (2019–), centers on the Mekong River, which stretches 4,350km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it is called Song Cuu Long. Currently on display at Chisenhale Gallery in London until 13 December, the exhibition showcases a 16-minute video, alongside lacquerworks and silk paintings. The video tells the story of two brothers reincarnated as an Irrawaddy Dolphin and a water hyacinth, highlighting ecological and human challenges, particularly from hydroelectric development. Additionally, the installation 'Perpetual Brightness' (2019) features dark-green lacquer frames illustrating the Mekong delta. Phan's 2019 monograph, 'Monsoon Melody,' explores the river's importance in Buddhism and its essential role in Vietnam's agriculture and fisheries.
Key facts
- Thao Nguyen Phan's 'Becoming Alluvium' is an ongoing project started in 2019
- The exhibition at Chisenhale Gallery in London runs until 13 December
- The Mekong River spans 4,350km through six countries including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
- The project includes a 16-minute video, lacquerworks, and silk paintings such as 'Perpetual Brightness' (2019) and 'Delta' (2020)
- Phan collaborates with artist Truong Cong Tung on lacquered frames using plant- and soil-based materials
- The video features reincarnation narratives involving an Irrawaddy Dolphin, water hyacinth, writer, ferryman, rat, and princess
- Phan references the 2018 collapse of Laos Saddle Dam D and literature by Marguerite Duras and Italo Calvino
- The Irrawaddy Dolphin is critically endangered due to industrialization of the Mekong
Entities
Artists
- Thao Nguyen Phan
- Truong Cong Tung
- Marguerite Duras
- Italo Calvino
Institutions
- Chisenhale Gallery
Locations
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnam
- London
- United Kingdom
- China
- Myanmar
- Laos
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Tibetan Plateau