'Memorial Project
Research this project to identify the ideas behind the work. Can you connect some of the concepts and ideas from the renaissance, Enlightenment or Modernism with the work. Discuss your answer.
Discuss how do you think the title of the work reflects
the artists' intentions?
The ideas behind Jun Nguyen-Hatushiba’s ‘Memorial Project Nha Trang, Vietnam – ‘Towards the Complex- For the Courageous, the Curious and the Cowards’ (2001) are mainly centered around cyclo’s and their drivers. A cyclo is a sort of bicycle taxi that was once extremely popular in
Nguyen-Hatushiba has been interested in cyclo’s and their drivers since 1994, when they first arrived in
The work could almost be said to be about modernism, with the decline in the use of veitnams unique transportation device, the cyclo, Nguyen-Hatushiba seeks to immortalise the vehicle in their work. Like a statement against Modernism, saying that progress is not necessary in some cases and if it continues at this rate,
I think the title reflects the artists intentions of immortalising the cyclo, in the line “towards the complex” is a reference to the complexity of new technology compared to the simple cyclo. The Courageous, the Curious and the Cowards could also be a reference to the accessibility of the cyclo, and that anyone can use one. I think to Nguyen-Hatushiba, remembering the past is a very important thing, which is evident even within the artists name, as they said in an interview “I had two complete names: one in Japanese and another in Vietnamese. I decided to combine them to make things simple. Thus, two last names come from my two names. I decided to hyphenate to show who I am and to respect both of my backgrounds.
http://sites.asiasociety.org/arts/nh/excerpts.html
http://www.parish-without-borders.net/cditt/cambodia/dailylife/cyclo.jpg
Matt!
ReplyDeleteWell when I first saw the picture I was confused. I thought people pulling carts underwater was a bit odd at first, but after reading about it, it slowly began to interest me. It's true what they say about Modernism and the idea of progress, it's not always the right way to go. With the advantages that come from Modernism, there are also its disadvantages.
Losing culture and tradition is one of the major factors that threaten society today and without proper monitoring, many customs may disappear. And that's what I think that's what Jun Nguyen-Hatushiba is trying to say in this work.
>.<
It really amazes me how hard these vietnamese men work to earn their living and to keep this aspect of their culture alive, when the western world is always complaining about how hard their jobs are and how difficult life is. Which is true to an extent, however you only have to look at some of the lives of others to fully appreciate how easy you've really got it.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right in what you're saying about the title, however I also think that for some it might not even be an option. Vietnam is not the richest of countries and job opportunities are not so luxurious. So even though you may be a “coward”, it might be the only opportunity you have or it may not even be a choice. So in a way it is for the “Courageous, the Curious and the Cowards.”
Hey Matt, good job on answering and researching :D
ReplyDeletei think his film work is really interesting and weird at the same time, the fact that he came up with such ideas are quite phenomenal. Not to mention how difficult it would be for the fishermen to swim down so deep to earn their living and to keep their culture going. I think from the the title of the work 'The courageous, the curious, and the cowards' could be talking about the history and national identity of the Vietnamese and their troubles as many boat people were killed in the war.
At first sight, i thought these were just models underwater, but to find out they're actual people dragging these cyclos underwater is just amazing. The amount of strength needed to pull something like that above water is quite a feat but to do it underwater is just a test of stamina and shows how fit these fishermen are. 'The courageous, the curious, and the cowards' talks about how these fishermen are carrying on their legacy, the curious, is the public and the cowards are those who have let go of there past cultures to take on new horizons.
ReplyDeleteHey Matt,
ReplyDeleteYeah i agree with gracia haha. It's kinda weird, like to be honest i thought it was a photo from pirates of the Caribbean or something..you know when all the pirates walk under the water...we'll i loved that movie and find this video really interesting too. Those poor men, fear of drowning must have been going through their minds the whole time, i know that it would of for me. Using real fishermen really shows that the artist has thought the ideas of what she wanted through properly. I think it was a great idea to to that as reece said..it shows who have let go of there past cultures to take on new horizons. Shows that they respect there culture but understand that they no longer need to physically hold onto it but can mentally remember it for how it used to be.