Old vs new: A video art work on display at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

THUA THIEN HUE (VNS)— Artists from around the country have gathered in Hue for a video art show that offers different philosophical perspectives on modern life.

The videos, ranging from two to seven minutes long, all explore how in a fast-paced way of life, people lose their ability to think deeply and question the world around them. The work argues that instead of devoting thought to human values, people's main focus in developed Viet Nam now seems to be on eating and dressing.

Artist Hoang Anh in Hue made a 3-minute video centering on a slaughtered chicken. The film then appears to take the audience on the back of the chicken, travelling quickly through the busy, traffic-filled streets.

The film is intended to provoke thoughts about how the popularisation of fast food and Western lifestyles has eroded the green and clean Vietnamese way of life. While people once planted vegetables in their garden for daily meals, or killed a chicken by themselves to cook, they now flock to KFC.

In a video featuring the different food and eating styles in the north and south of the country, Ha Noi based artist Tran Dan emphasises that many modern people eat to be full, rather than to enjoy the taste. He believes this has led to a fading of culinary culture.

Eleven artists from HCM City, Nha Trang, Hue, and Ha Noi have gathered at the show since September 6 to prepare their work. Films are being projected both onto wall space and sculptures. The exhibition began on Thursday night and will remain open and free to the public at the New Art Space Foundation in Hue until next Tuesday.

Experts have said the exhibition is injecting new life into the sluggish development of video art in Viet Nam. — VNS