Minh Duc PHAM

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Minh Duc PHAM

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Creators from abroad)
Activity Based	Berlin
City	Tokyo
Period	2022.9 - 2022.11

Purpose of the residency

I want to continue my studies on paper and flowers. Most of my work is created by exchanging and resonating with my surroundings. I want to initiate and enjoy conversations with locals about individualism and collectivism and try to find a way to transform the resonance into something firm: It will never let you forget something that made you happy is the working title of my residency and will guide me through this period.

Plan during the residency

• Exchange with locals about the individual and the collective
• Partaking in workshops for flower, clay and paper techniques
• Connecting with other artists from the residency and local artists
• Preparing and holding open studio event/show

Activities during the residency

During my stay in TOKAS, I focused on the art craft of ikebana flower arrangement and paper making and made further studies on textiles. For ikebana I attended classes at Sogetsu Ikebana School and could achieve two of five certificates for Sogetsu Ikebana. Influenced by the huge amount of CCTV, mirrors and their interplay, I worked on the topic of gazing and its both violent but also empowering potential. Eventually I connected with local fashion designers and fabric stores and created soft textile covers for the mirrors in public. I also had the chance to meet a papermaker and witness the process of making Japanese washi paper in Ogawa, Saitama and work with a local paper company to create an artist book.

Outcome of the residency

Through my activities during the residency, I could build a solid and sustainable foundation for future collaborations and projects. Ikebana became a strong influence in the way I think of composition and progression within my own art practice. In the long run I want to complete my studies in Ikebana and take part in exhibitions. By the end of the residency, I could create two new textile works for a series about gazing and reflections I will continue to work on. For this time, it was necessary to me to work on solo projects in order to get an understanding of the new environment. For further residencies I would like to open up for more collaborations with local creatives who I was able to connect with during my recent stay.

Creator Information