Things That Count, a photography exhibition of conversations about life values in times of Covid-19 between young European and Vietnamese photographers, opened in Hanoi from June 25 to July 7.

The project generates an injection of hope facing another continent, a virtual bridge between two cultures. Photos: Matca

The exhibition is expected to make a hopeful signal for upcoming artists and sober reflections on what is considered valuable today, focusing on ten values including family, safety, gender, heritage, humor, intimacy, freedom, power, knowledge, and faith.

During 10 weeks from March and May 2021, students from the Photography Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, communicated online in text and images with young Vietnamese photographers about important current topics in modern society.

“What struck me most was the immediate openness and trust that the participants had in each other,” said Bert Danckaert, associate professor of photography at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts who spearheaded the project, shares his thoughts after three intensive months.

The project seemed to generate an injection of hope facing another continent, a virtual bridge between two cultures. Looking back, I think the most important and eleventh value is that of trust,” he added.

A corner of the exhibition at Matca space for Photography in No.48 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

In times of Covid-19, existential questions are posed to young people who are now facing an uncertain future. Each week, the participants dealt with an assigned "value", which they first discussed in pair, then provided each other with inspiration, and finally expressed their personal opinion of the value in question in one single photograph.

The resulting images and fragments of the written communication between the participants were published online, where perspectives were shared and friendships developed.

Things That Count is presented by the Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp, Belgium), and Matca Space for Photography.

Participating photographers include Hoàng Minh Trang, Ana Lucía Fernández, Catherine Smet, Nguyễn Vân Nhi, Phạm Hà Huy Anh, Daria Oprean, Eduard Michalko, Nguyễn Minh Hoàng, Kiên Hoàng, Moritz Broszat, Trần Vĩnh Đạt, Robert Sasarman, Cao Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, Sarah Kirchner, Oxiea Villamonte, Nguyễn Thanh Huế.

A part of their works is now exhibited at Matca space for Photography in No.48 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.