Closer (photographic exhibition)
Date: 2007
Region: Asia
Subject: Nudity
Medium: Photography
Artist: Nguyen Kim Hoang
Confronting Bodies: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Information
Date of Action: April 2007
Location: Vietnam
Description of Artwork: The exhibition Closer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBYcYKOXOpc) features close angle shots of the "most sensitive parts of a woman," which are the back, shoulders, arms, elbows, and breasts.
The Incident: The HCM City Department of Culture and Information refused to give permission for the exhibition because it was not considered suitable to Vietnamese values and customs.
Uyen Huy, Vice Secretary General of the HCM City Art Association, defended the exhibit by claiming they are, "merely beautiful images of bodily curves and lines.
Photographer Nguyen Kim Hoang said she was willing to shelve photos considered inappropriate if necessary. Yet, she was completely surprised to hear that her works were rejected because they were "unsuitable" to Vietnamese values and customs.
Results of Incident: Vietnam Photographer's Association Chairman Thanh said that by the end of this year, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Vietnam Photographer's Association would organize an unprecedented conference on nudity since these two authorities havent developed special guidelines on this subject.
Source: VietNamNet Bridge
