Made in Rice

“Made in Rice” (2021, 19 mins, full HD, color, Stereo) is a performance video by Vietnamese artist Hiền Hoàng, premiered at Planten un Blomen in Hamburg in 2021. This multimedia installation features three synchronized video channels, each capable of standing alone or being viewed together, to create a multifaceted narrative about identity, stereotypes, and the impact of cultural perceptions.

The work emerges from a personal and poignant experience of racial discrimination Hien faced at Hamburg Central Station, which highlighted the pervasive issues of Asian hatred and stereotypes. As a Vietnamese artist living in Germany, Hien was driven to explore these themes through the lens of Asian food, particularly rice—a staple in Asian diets and a symbol of “Asianness” in Western perspectives. “Made in Rice” uses rice as a metaphor to address the stereotypes and limitations imposed on Asian cultures and individuals, particularly the myth of the “good immigrant.”

Luck in the Rice Bag and “Drei Chinesen mit dem Kontrabass” (Left video):

This video explores cultural clichés and the perception of luck associated with rice in Asian traditions, juxtaposed against Western stereotypes as represented in the children’s song “Drei Chinesen mit dem Kontrabass” (Three Chinese with a Double Bass).

The Indochina Dream or Notion on Tran Anh Hung’s Cyclo Film (right video):

This part reflects on the romanticized and often exoticized Western views of Indochina, drawing inspiration from Tran Anh Hung’s film “Cyclo,” which portrays the complexities and realities of life in Vietnam beyond the Western gaze.

The Invisible Body – Notion from the Reading of Frantz Fanon and Observations on the Artist’s Late Aunt’s Life (Central video):

The central video delves into the notion of invisibility and erasure, influenced by Frantz Fanon’s writings on the dehumanizing effects of colonialism and racism. It also draws from personal reflections on the artist’s late aunt’s life, highlighting the silent struggles and traumas faced by many immigrants.´

“Made in Rice” challenges viewers to confront the layered and often painful realities of stereotypes and discrimination. The use of food as a metaphor underscores the cultural and personal burdens that come with being seen through a narrow lens of ethnicity. The work highlighted the discussion about immigration policy in Germany and Europe, and how it affects a person and causes trauma – for a person and also for a community.

Landscape and Soundscape Installation

For the premiere of “Made in Rice” Hien Hoang transformed the Japanese Tea House and Garden in Planten un Blomen Park, Hamburg, into a stage for a powerful multimedia installation. The work featured three large video screens and an eight-channel sound system, creating an immersive soundscape that enveloped the garden and lake. This setup not only showcased the 3-channel performance video but also integrated the tranquil garden environment into the artwork. The installation fostered a dialog between the peaceful setting and the complex themes of cultural identity, stereotypes, and discrimination, inviting viewers to reflect on these issues in a space of contemplation and beauty.

CAST & CREWS