(Picture Courtesy of the L.A. Times)
A brave new Vietnamese art exhibit is opening today in downtown Santa Ana, at the VAALA Center, which is located at 1600 N. Broadway. The “exhibit commissioned by a Vietnamese American arts group will purposely include communist symbols, and the flag of the fallen country of South Vietnam – plus artwork that has been banned in Vietnam,” according to the L.A. Times.
This exhibit is sure to draw protests from the Trannie nut jobs who regularly protest businesses in Little Saigon that dare to engage in free speech. Predictably, neither Assemblyman Van Tran or Supervisor Janet Nguyen can be expected to defend or support this art exhibit, as they both regularly pander to the protesters.
For some reason, the L.A. times article did not include the name of the at gallery, but i found it at this link. You can also read about it over at the Bolsavik blog. The term “VAALA” refers to the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association. You an find out more about them at this link.
According to VAALA’s website, the art exhibit in question “will feature more than 50 works by artists and writers living and working in Vietnam and the U.S. These works explore the intersection of art, community and politics, and seek to provoke conversations about the line between art and politics, and the significance of history and the sense of belonging in our interpretation of symbols, memories, stories and democracy.”
“The curators hope to challenge sensibilities and provoke discussion in a community where the topic of politics other than staunch anti-communism has long been taboo.”
The exhibit is called “F.O.B. II: Art Speaks.” The initials “F.OB.” refer to immigrants “fresh off the boat.”
I applaud the VALAA center and the exhibit curator for their daring! I also plan to visit the exhibit this weekend – and I hope you too will find time to do so.
In 1999 the Bowers hosted a controversial exhibit which drew many protesters.
http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jun/24/local/me-49791