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Inlen Photo Gallery – Art space in Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon, Vietnam
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Terra Utopia from the Incognita

by photographer Quang Lam

Category : Conceptual   

history

At the Art Institute of South-East Asia in Singapore, the Terra Utopia series is currently on display as part of the exhibition XEM – Meta Far-East. This captivating collection explores the evolution of perceptions of the “Far East,” tracing its journey from antiquated geographical views to a more nuanced understanding shaped by the colonial era and the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

The photographs resemble aerial landscapes of uncharted coastal territories, evoking the sense of mystery that surrounded Far East Asia, once deemed a terra incognita waiting to be explored. This notion resonates with the concept introduced by Thomas More in his seminal work, Utopia, published in 1516. Since then, the exploration of new lands has often been driven by the desire to transform them into colonies. While colonizers typically aspired to create better lives for themselves through settlement, the consequences frequently resulted in dystopia for the indigenous populations.

In some of the photographs, intricate tessellation patterns symbolize the fragmented understanding that accompanies the discovery of new lands inhabited and shaped by diverse cultures, each represented by vibrant scripts. The blue hues signify the Arabic language, while the orange scripts denote the sacred Buddhist texts in Sanskrit. Red and yellow symbols reflect the profound influence of Chinese culture. Together, these elements invite viewers to contemplate the complex interplay between exploration, colonization, and cultural identity.

More insights:

This series has been presented in the XEM Exhibition – Meta Far-East

Terra Utopia Series - Arabic Culture
Terra Utopia Series - The Japanese Wave
Terra Utopia Series - Indian Culture

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      Meta Far-East Asia, Japan Wave Utopia
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Terra Utopia from the Incognita

Terra Utopia Series - Arabic Culture

Title : Terra Utopia Series - Arabic Culture

Request info / Share
Request info / Share
Request info / Share

Suggestions for the boutique

    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East Asia, Japan Wave Utopia
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography #Saigon #Vietnam-War #Reenactment
      Revive - Tank at the Reunification Palace
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Skyliner Crash - Hong Kong
      $150.00 – $350.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East, Indo-China Terra Utopia
      $500.00
Request info / Share
Terra Utopia Series - The Japanese Wave

Title : Terra Utopia Series - The Japanese Wave

Request info / Share

Suggestions for the boutique

    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East Asia, Japan Wave Utopia
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography #Saigon #Vietnam-War #Reenactment
      Revive - Tank at the Reunification Palace
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Skyliner Crash - Hong Kong
      $150.00 – $350.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East, Indo-China Terra Utopia
      $500.00
Request info / Share
Terra Utopia Series - Indian Culture

Title : Terra Utopia Series - Indian Culture

Request info / Share

Suggestions for the boutique

    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East Asia, Japan Wave Utopia
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography #Saigon #Vietnam-War #Reenactment
      Revive - Tank at the Reunification Palace
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Skyliner Crash - Hong Kong
      $150.00 – $350.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East, Indo-China Terra Utopia
      $500.00
Request info / Share
Request info / Share

Suggestions for the boutique

    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East Asia, Japan Wave Utopia
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography #Saigon #Vietnam-War #Reenactment
      Revive - Tank at the Reunification Palace
      $500.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Skyliner Crash - Hong Kong
      $150.00 – $350.00
    • Fine art photo print Beyond Photography
      Meta Far-East, Indo-China Terra Utopia
      $500.00
  • Related series in the same thema of Conceptual

Zen Garden in “Digital Arts and Design – International Conference and Exhibition”, Bangkok 2024

Tales from the Land of Dragons

“the map is not the territory” with Xem Saigon Tour at Vin Gallery

Cartography of Terra Incognita

More photos : antique and vintage style from our exclusive collection

The gallery is deeply committed to present the history of Vietnamese photography through original documents. These photographs are contextualized within their historical and social framework. Read all archives and browse all photos.

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