Refugee Memorial Project Runs Diameter of Earth at ASU Art Museum

Saturday, 24 January 2009 22:00

 

TEMPE, AZ - ASU Art Museum presents the U.S. premiere of a personal and moving project by internationally-exhibited artist Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba titled Breathing Is Free: 12,756.3; New Work by Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba. Breathing is Free: 12,756.3; New Work by Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba is conceived as part installation, part exhibition and part memorial. Known for his underwater films which have been shown in Bienniales and museums around the world, Nguyen-Hatsushiba’s new work represents a departure as it is based on on-going projects in which the artist plans to run 12,756.36 kilometers, or, the diameter of the earth, in different international cities at different times. His installation in ASU Art Museum will begin January 24, 2009.

Breathing is Free: 12,756.3; New Work by Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba focuses on breadth of formats, allowing for deeper exploration of the artist’s continuing concern with the evolution of cultures in the face of globalization and interpretations in the idea of “memorial”. According to Nguyen-Hatsushiba, “The running is really about breathing. Drawing breath becomes more difficult as one runs further as one’s entire body begins to wear out….But what counts here is to record my ‘running struggle’ to discuss the refugee topic through distance and location via GPS watch. It’s conceptual and physical; it’s a real struggle, not a performance” (as quoted in Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba, published by Museum of Art Lucerne and Manchester Art Gallery).

In the past, a film series of underwater Memorial Projects kept Nguyen-Hatsushiba, who was raised in the U.S. but lives in Ho Chi Minh City, behind the camera. The new project places the artist as the subject, running to create a memorial project for refugees. He wants to physically experience the distance of the earth and struggle like refugees on the run from their homeland.

ASU Art Museum, named "the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona" by Art in America magazine, is part of the Herberger College of the Arts at Arizona State University. The museum is located on the corner of Mill Avenue and 10th Street in Tempe and admission is free. Nelson Fine Arts Center hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. To learn more about the museum and its programs call 480-965-2787 or visit http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu .

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