Opened at the Goethe Institute in Hanoi from May 7, Khai Doan’s “Dipolar” exhibition introduces contemporary paintings in traditional Vietnamese lacquer techniques.

Born in Saigon and raised in Germany, Khai Doan, having completed his artistic training, now works as a successful creative director in the advertising industry; both in Germany and in Vietnam.

“Dipolar” is a term from the field of physics, meaning “two poles”.

Like his biography, Khai Doan’s art reflects the productive tension between different poles: an ambivalent mixture of Vietnamese tradition and the fast-paced world of advertising. Khai Doan combines contrasts: near and far, young and old, familiar and strange, concrete and abstract.

In order to consistently implement his concept of contradiction, he uses the “Son Mai” painting technique, ie…the repeated application and sanding of colors, often over several years.

The 30 lacquer paintings being exhibited were made within the past five years.

The exhibition will open until June 5 at the Goethe-Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc. The artist will meet with the audience and make a performance at 3pm, May 14.

Some paintings by Khai Doan:

Hoang Nguyen