Contemporary art exchange of two famous Vietnamese and German artists

This is an unmissable opportunity for audiences to admire the original, diverse works of an internationally renowned and influential contemporary artist – as well as discover the never-before-published creations of a contemporary artist who is active, persistent, and fiercely active in Vietnam.

This group exhibition combining two outstanding artists will provide a panoramic view of both their careers. More than 60 conceptual works by Rosemarie Trockel, from paintings, textiles, photographs, videos , to installations, not only contain many profound implications but also open up a space for free interpretation for the audience. Meanwhile, with only 04 works, including paintings and soft/fabric sculptures, the four main stages in Lai Dieu Ha's career have gradually been revealed. Together, they weave perspectives on contemporary art and contemporary society, as well as human fates in that context. There will be 12 works on display in the main hall on the first floor of the Vietnamese Women's Museum and the rest in the entire exhibition space of The Outpost.

In Germany, in the 1980s, Rosemarie Trockel was the only German female artist to build an international career, becoming the first female artist to represent Germany at the world's most prestigious art festival - the Venice Biennale - in 1999. In a largely male-dominated art scene, Trockel created works that critiqued and challenged gender systems, perspectives, concepts and stereotypes imposed on both women and men, not only in art but also in society at large. Today, she is one of the world's most important living conceptual artists, leaving a profound mark on art history. This exhibition in Hanoi is Trockel’s first in Southeast Asia, part of a traveling exhibition program initiated by ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (German Institute for Foreign Relations), which includes other leading artists such as Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, and Georg Baselitz. Previously, Rosemarie Trockel’s exhibitions were displayed at 42 locations including cities in the US, Europe, Latin America, Russia, India, Seoul, Shanghai, etc.

In Vietnam, in the early 2010s, Lai Dieu Ha became an icon of performance art at the age of 30, with her powerful and poetic performances, using her own body as both subject and medium. She is the first female artist in Vietnam to successfully sell her performance work in video form. In 2023, Ha surprised everyone when she won the Silver Prize in the UOB Painting of the Year competition in Vietnam - one of the prestigious painting awards in Asia. In 2024, soft sculptures, which can be applied and easily integrated into daily life, became the most important works of this female artist. After nearly 20 years of working, Ha is not only recognized as one of the important performance artists in Vietnam, but also constantly expanding the practice and boundaries of the concept of performance art itself, creating a strong resonance at home and abroad.

Rosemarie Trockel and Lai Dieu Ha's group exhibition, running from December 7, 2024 to January 3, 2025 at the Vietnamese Women's Museum and The Outpost, presents portraits of two artists—one from Germany and one from Vietnam—who are prominent, strong female voices in the international contemporary art scene.

In particular, within the framework of the exhibition, there will be a talk show with the artist, tours with experts, and a research and creative workshop based on the perspectives of Rosemarie Trockel and Lai Dieu Ha to help the public better understand the artistic creation process and the messages that the works want to convey./.