Danh Vo
13 Mar - 25 Apr 2009
DANH VO
"Boys seen through a shop window"
March 13th 2009 - April 25th 2009
Opening reception on Thursday, March 12 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Installation in the shop window of Antiquariat Buchholz
When I saw Danh Voʼs name in the invitation to the reception for new fellows at the residency program of the Villa Aurora, I knew he was Vietnamese. I decided straightway to go to the reception to meet him. On arriving at the Villa the night of the reception I saw him at a distance talking very softly about his work. After the new fellows had made their presentations I went looking for food, wine, and Danh. After getting my wine and food, I saw him sitting alone outside in the patio having a smoke. I went over and introduced myself and mentioned to him that I had spent a considerable amount of time in Vietnam — probably many years before he was born. He smiled and I immediately felt attracted to him and knew that I wanted to have some kind of close relationship. I then invited him to visit me at my nearby house and was surprised and pleased when he smiled again and said he would come the following morning.
The following morning I waited for him to come to my house somewhat apprehensively because I wasnʼt sure that he would really come. I thought that maybe it was only polite reception talk and that he might not show up. I was of course very pleased and surprised when he appeared that morning at my front door. I invited him in and I could see from his expression that he was quite excited and astonished by what he was seeing. Usually people are only moderately curious about my collection of Mexican and Asian folk art. From Danhʼs reaction, however, I could see that he was not only interested in my collection of folk art but was also interested in the diversity of my photos which revealed many different aspects of my personal intimate life. While asking questions about my art objects and photos, Danh disclosed many things about his personal life. I thus felt very comfortable responding to his direct questions about many personal details about my life and allowed him to go through my personal possessions.
The strong bond quickly established between us has already generated many unforgettable moments. Hopefully, many more will follow. The way our lives have crossed has been touched strangely by the magic of shared interests, surfacing forbidden aspects of my life and evoking Danhʼs memories about a past that he had unwillingly left behind.
Joe Carrier
Danh Vo, *1975 in Ba Ria, Vietnam, based in Berlin, is currently resident of the Kadist Art Foundation in Paris.
Inventory
Custom made linen curtains for the house. Orange Chair by Harry Betoia. Two sided Wood carving from a temple cart in India, a woman on one side becomes an elephant on the other. Tibetian knife bought in Gangtok in Sikim in 1954. Swedish or Danish carpet. A Sheflera and a Boston Fern. A small casting of a Khmer head bought at the National Museum in Phnom Penh in 1972. A Dancing Shiva bought in India in 1953. It sitʼs on a speaker. Two framed prints of Ynez Johnston. Blankets made by the Chams in Vietnam, bought in Tuy Hoa. Casting from the original stone carving of “Jayavarman VII” made by the National Museum in Phnom Penh, bought from the museum in Phnom Penh in 1972 for $32, still possible to acquire from the museum store for $35. Jayavarman VII was one of the greatest Kmer Kings. Mahayan Buddhism became the state religion during his reign. A table made by Joseph Carrierʼs father, wood top is teak (probably originally from the central highlands of Vietnam). An avocado plant raised from a seed. A pair of blue jeans and a leatherbelt. A gold ring. Metal chains. A night lamp. Three airplaneblankets from the Northwest Orient Airlines that were used as a curtain and bleached by the sun on one side. Northwest Orient Airlines was the first airline to fly commercial passenger flight from the U.S. to Japan and from Japan to the Southeast Asia after Second World War. A blanket from the ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Two fossilized stones picked up from the beach in the Pacific Palisades, CA.
"Boys seen through a shop window"
March 13th 2009 - April 25th 2009
Opening reception on Thursday, March 12 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Installation in the shop window of Antiquariat Buchholz
When I saw Danh Voʼs name in the invitation to the reception for new fellows at the residency program of the Villa Aurora, I knew he was Vietnamese. I decided straightway to go to the reception to meet him. On arriving at the Villa the night of the reception I saw him at a distance talking very softly about his work. After the new fellows had made their presentations I went looking for food, wine, and Danh. After getting my wine and food, I saw him sitting alone outside in the patio having a smoke. I went over and introduced myself and mentioned to him that I had spent a considerable amount of time in Vietnam — probably many years before he was born. He smiled and I immediately felt attracted to him and knew that I wanted to have some kind of close relationship. I then invited him to visit me at my nearby house and was surprised and pleased when he smiled again and said he would come the following morning.
The following morning I waited for him to come to my house somewhat apprehensively because I wasnʼt sure that he would really come. I thought that maybe it was only polite reception talk and that he might not show up. I was of course very pleased and surprised when he appeared that morning at my front door. I invited him in and I could see from his expression that he was quite excited and astonished by what he was seeing. Usually people are only moderately curious about my collection of Mexican and Asian folk art. From Danhʼs reaction, however, I could see that he was not only interested in my collection of folk art but was also interested in the diversity of my photos which revealed many different aspects of my personal intimate life. While asking questions about my art objects and photos, Danh disclosed many things about his personal life. I thus felt very comfortable responding to his direct questions about many personal details about my life and allowed him to go through my personal possessions.
The strong bond quickly established between us has already generated many unforgettable moments. Hopefully, many more will follow. The way our lives have crossed has been touched strangely by the magic of shared interests, surfacing forbidden aspects of my life and evoking Danhʼs memories about a past that he had unwillingly left behind.
Joe Carrier
Danh Vo, *1975 in Ba Ria, Vietnam, based in Berlin, is currently resident of the Kadist Art Foundation in Paris.
Inventory
Custom made linen curtains for the house. Orange Chair by Harry Betoia. Two sided Wood carving from a temple cart in India, a woman on one side becomes an elephant on the other. Tibetian knife bought in Gangtok in Sikim in 1954. Swedish or Danish carpet. A Sheflera and a Boston Fern. A small casting of a Khmer head bought at the National Museum in Phnom Penh in 1972. A Dancing Shiva bought in India in 1953. It sitʼs on a speaker. Two framed prints of Ynez Johnston. Blankets made by the Chams in Vietnam, bought in Tuy Hoa. Casting from the original stone carving of “Jayavarman VII” made by the National Museum in Phnom Penh, bought from the museum in Phnom Penh in 1972 for $32, still possible to acquire from the museum store for $35. Jayavarman VII was one of the greatest Kmer Kings. Mahayan Buddhism became the state religion during his reign. A table made by Joseph Carrierʼs father, wood top is teak (probably originally from the central highlands of Vietnam). An avocado plant raised from a seed. A pair of blue jeans and a leatherbelt. A gold ring. Metal chains. A night lamp. Three airplaneblankets from the Northwest Orient Airlines that were used as a curtain and bleached by the sun on one side. Northwest Orient Airlines was the first airline to fly commercial passenger flight from the U.S. to Japan and from Japan to the Southeast Asia after Second World War. A blanket from the ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Two fossilized stones picked up from the beach in the Pacific Palisades, CA.