Viet Phuong Nguyen

For Viet Phưong Nguyen, the residency as part of the dialogue fields became a very personal journey to a place he knew well from his childhood and youth. The ceramist, who has many formative memories of the Sonnenberg, merged old impressions with new encounters and observations to develop his work vasesace.soleil.

In his ceramic vases, he used surface impressions of places that have a special meaning for him. Facades, floors, fences and ornaments became negative imprints in clay, which are thus not only materially but also symbolically connected to the Sonnenberg. The selected locations are exemplary of developments in the neighbourhood – places of scarcity and inequality that have simultaneously opened up space for new possibilities and creative appropriation. The vases were presented at Galerie HINTEN, daringly installed in an expansive installation.

During the process, Viet Phưong Nguyen was supported by his friends and encouraged in his actions and ideas. Between mental breakdowns, overly optimistic schedules and numerous transport journeys, not only did the installation grow, but also his connection to his own artistic practice.

The dialogue field brought him closer to the Sonnenberg district, but also made him more confident in his practice as an artist. The dialogue with local people, joint conversations and the sharing of memories and perspectives made this time a significant period for him, which will continue to have an impact far beyond the exhibition.