We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bao Nguyen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bao, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
In the summer of 2021, I went to the Yale Norfolk Summer School of Art, a residency program for senior-raising students across the globe. The program happened in a beautiful estate in upstate Connecticut. Over the span of 6 weeks, a group of students live and work and make art together. In this estate, I created my first every series of one-on-one performances. I created a guided walking tour and performed the piece 30 times for each of the participants and faculty members in the residency. Over three days, I exhausted my body by performing almost for 10 hours everyday. The performances were an intense experience of focus and passion for me. I learn about my own drive and ambition through the process.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an artist working in performance and visual art. I create performances that include spoken words, acting, movement and humor. I created both site-specific work in natural spaces and DIY venues. Central to my performance practice is improvisation, which I defined as the process of being present and figuring out what to do on the spot in response to the space, the audience and my personal impulse. I also create multi-media artwork, using video, installation, and various sculptural processes such as paper making and found object assemblages. At the core of my practice, I am curious about my relationship with myself, other and the place we occupy.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To feel deeply
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
To provide us with livable wage
Contact Info:
- Website: https://baonguyenstudio.com
- Instagram: @baobaobao78
Image Credits
Photo courtesy of Van Ngo, Lianghong Ke and Bao Nguyen