Contradictions in Visual Art 2024

Read full at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H65tn8rt7xRieIvzcCrSGzH308MIK581?usp=sharing

This essay investigates the central research question: How have contradictions in visual art affected public perception in Vietnam from 2020 to the present? Beginning with a theoretical foundation, the study explores concepts of contradiction and perception by drawing from seminal theories such as Boris Groys’ analysis of artistic paradox, Barry Maund’s study of perception, Hegel’s dialectical principles through Dieter Wandschneider’s perspective, and Alexander Luria’s theory of the influence of conflict on perception. Contradiction, defined as the unity and struggle of opposing forces, plays a pivotal role in the artistic and cognitive processes. By compelling viewers to engage with divergent perspectives, contradiction broadens awareness and challenges preexisting biases. The essay delves into the manifestation of contradictions in artworks by analyzing examples from international and Vietnamese artists.

Chapter One examines the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings, emphasizing that contradiction is not merely a feature but an inherent structure of art. Boris Groys’ notion of the paradox-object exemplifies how art exists simultaneously as a material entity and a conceptual idea, while Maund and Luria highlight perception as an interpretive process shaped by cultural and personal contexts.

Chapter Two applies these theoretical insights to specific case studies. It begins with Nicolás Lamas’ Posthuman Ecologies, an installation that juxtaposes organic and industrial materials to challenge perceptions of matter as passive and inert. Lamas’ work engages viewers in a dialogue about the interconnectedness of human and non-human elements, revealing layers of meaning through contradiction. The essay then analyzes Vietnamese artists Nguyen Viet Cuong and Nguyen Manh Hung. Cuong’s Flow employs coal and rice powder to symbolize the tension between industrial and agricultural in Vietnam, inviting reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature and labor. Meanwhile, Hung’s All Aboard juxtaposes mundane imagery with sacred symbols to explore existential questions about the afterlife, karma, and the diversity of religious teachings.

The study concludes that contradictions in visual art act as catalysts for cognitive and emotional growth, encouraging audiences to reassess their perceptions and embrace complexity. In the Vietnamese context, where traditional values intersect with contemporary artistic expressions, these contradictions offer profound insights into cultural transformation and awareness. By framing contradiction as a positive and integral aspect of art, the essay underscores its potential to bridge diverse perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of human experience.