The art of Danh Vo

Topic: The art of Danh Vo

Student name: Lee Ching Chi (Billy)
Student number: 60170220

The artistic practice of Danh Vo is fundamentally crafted by his history of being a political refugee, an experience that granted him a unique and critical perspective on the forces of authority. Danh was born in Vietnam in 1975, right as the Vietnam War was ending, with the fall of Saigon and the communist victory over Vietnam. Under harsh political conditions, Danh and his family fled the country alongside other South Vietnamese refugees by boat when he was just four years old. They were rescued by a Danish container ship, the Rasmussen—a name that would later become a recurring motif in his work. Danh has seen promises made by politicians not being fulfilled in his home country, and furthermore more he heard stories of the treatment of political prisoners in Vietnam after the war, which instilled profound skepticism in him towards grand narratives, whether they be of nationalism, colonialism, or political ideology.

For my research, I focused on one of Danh’s most renowned projects, We The People (2011-2016), which deals with the subject of collective memory and national symbolism. As I am deeply interested in international politics and history, this project resonates with some of my views, particularly with how governments and people in power often tell the truth in a twisted tone, and the artwork criticizes and questions authority.

(Img source: Collection SFMOMA, 2014)

I realized that Danh's work revolved around a major theme: imperfection. This sheet of paper is one of the many fragments that are required to build a replica of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of authority. However, these fragments are scattered throughout the gallery, symbolizing that authority is man-made and built upon a set of fixed rules. This shows that Danh had a critical stance towards authority, showing that not only is it built by human beings, it is also fragile because it is man-made, and therefore can be destroyed.

(Img source: National Gallery of Denmark, 2013)

Danh's display of the weakness and flaws of authority allows me to reflect on the flaws of power in our society. South Vietnam's government was unpopular due to corruption, while the communists were also criticized for violating human rights. This shows that in many cases, no side is the "right" side, and we, the people, have to think critically to determine what action is morally right or wrong without taking sides blindly.