Until January 14th, 2024 Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan is hosting Reincarnations of Shadows – an art exhibition featuring the work of Vietnamese artist Thao Nguyen Phan. This exhibition marks Phan’s first solo show in Italy and showcases her unique artistic practice exploring amongst others the theme and concept of reincarnation.

Thao Nguyen Phan’s art blends various media and supports, including textiles and printed books. She creates dreamlike imagery that incorporates elements of folk traditions, fairy-tale narratives, literature, philosophy, and everyday life. Her work also delves into Vietnam’s historical events, particularly those related to environmental and social changes caused by human impact, such as the exploitation of natural resources and landscape colonisation.

At Pirelli HangarBicocca, the exhibition is a layered and immersive experience that combines audio, visual, and tactile elements, including videos, sculptures, watercolours, silk and lacquer paintings. It explores Phan’s practice and highlights its symbolic and imaginative qualities. Additionally, new works created for this exhibition, reflect upon the transformative and regenerative potential of art.

The central theme of the exhibition revolves around the idea of reincarnation, which is prevalent in Phan’s work. She views art as having the ability to reincarnate, much like in the Buddhist religion. Her projects are living organisms that can adapt, change, and take on new forms. “Reincarnations of Shadows” transforms the exhibition space into a fluid environment where sounds, images, and narratives come together to explore Vietnam’s spiritual heritage and the interplay between personal and collective memories.