Artist Van Hai has created an exhibition looking at Operation Babylift at the Minnesota Museum of American Art.
A child of Operation Babylift–the still controversial mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the United States and other countries during the end of the Vietnam War–Hai created the installation as a part of the 1.5 Southeast Asian Diaspora Remix.
The exhibit is a compelling and thought-provoking take on the Southeast Asian diaspora experience–many times, a mix of distant memories that traverse between the old and new worlds.
It’s done in conjunction with The Southeast Asian Diaspora Project (SEAD).
Van Hai had this to say about the installation, which was affected by Covid19:
“Here are some views from the installation i made about the Babylift Operation. Sadly i had to keep a minimal requirement because of […] Covid. Initially it was made to be more interactive, allowing people to sit on chairs just beside the boxes to watch my short film. It also had to have another box right before the entrance of the museum, lying on the ground.
Anyway, this has been done, once for all, i can move on.”
The exhibit runs through January 31, 2021 at the Minnesota Museum of American Art and is curated by SEAD Project Founder and Executive Director Chanida Phaengdara Potter, the M’s Curator of Exhibitions Laura Joseph and Curatorial Assistant Mia Laufer.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story.
