Trinh Vu Hieu granted an interview to Nhan Dan Weekend newspaper to talk about the difficulties in founding a photo fair model.
Q: Can you talk about the origins of the photo fair model?
A: In 2015, an art fair and Tet Art programme at Hang Da trade center attracted a large number of domestic visitors, indicating a large demand for enjoying art from Vietnamese people. For this reason, I wonder why only fine art circles have fairs, and that photography circle did not. As a result, I started implementing the idea.
My greatest wish is that the fair will gather photographers, who made sacrifices for their favourite things and create high quality works. In addition, I also wished that through the fair, the photographers would be aware of their copyright, at the same time the customers also are aware of copyright ownership. When the awareness is raised fully, the photography market and quality is expected to be improved.
Q: Can you share more detailed about the mechanism to implement the fair? You co-operated with other photographers. How is it two sides’ responsibility?
A: The first time, I called on participants’ contributions to prepare photos for the fair. The speakers’ fees were paid by the ticket cost.
However, this year’s fair received support by some sponsors. The photographers simply send their image to the organising board and receive all money if their works are bought.
Q: Have the two fairs satisfied your goals?
A: Because of the tight preparation time for the last fair, the genres of photos in the first fair are more liberal than this year’s fair. The second fair’s target is the photo set for the 2017 calendar market. However, it also seems very few people are interested in the photo set type, thus the number of photographers is not more than the last fair. But you can believe that the fair will be held in the future.
Q: In the fair’s press release, I see that creativeness is stressed. I hope that the photographers that are part of the fair with you, understand the spirit of the fair.
A: I also hope that the photography circle appreciates it.
Q: Has it been hard to find sponsors?
A: I've found support from many people, including my friends and acquaintances. But I believe that all difficulties will blow over.
Thank you very much!
A work at the second photo fair
| The first photo fair was held from December 1-30, 2015. The number of sold photo is modest. However, five talk shows under the framework of the fair attracted a large number of audiences. The second photo fair’s scale is smaller than the first fair, taking place at Hanoi's Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre, No.50 Dao Duy Tu, Hanoi, from August 5-14, 2016. With two talk shows about art piracy issues in social life by Researcher – Fine art Critic Phan Cam Thuong, Painter Bui Hoai Mai and Chief of the Secretariat of Vietnam Photography Artists' Association Hong Dinh. |
