Some of Vo Thuy Tien’s works that will be on display at the “My marriage” exhibition - Photo: Courtesy of organizer The “My marriage” show is an ongoing project by Tien, which delves into the different layers of the artist’s personal life, and explores ideas of marriage and motherhood, domesticity and family, and the complexity of love and relationships. In Tien’s own experiences, these themes are given shape through the usage and collage of images of fruit and objects, some of which are considered highly symbolic in Vietnamese cultural life. They appear in works of photography and sculpture and moving images throughout the exhibition. Betel nuts, betrothal gifts that a groom offers to his bride’s family, are shown with photos of grapefruit, papaya and banana, which represent the power of youth and fertility. While sticks of incense, a ritual object used to connect the spirit world and the living world, appear alongside a wedding … [Read more...] about Art center in District 2 to hold exhibition on marriage life
25 years of marriage
Amazon”s Bezos, wife reach biggest divorce deal in history
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (R) and his wife, MacKenzie Bezos, have finalized their divorce, photo AFP MacKenzie Bezos said she would give all of her stake in The Washington Post and the space exploration firm Blue Origin to her husband -- the world's richest man -- as well as voting control of her remaining Amazon stock. Jeff Bezos, 55, and MacKenzie, 48, a novelist, married in 1993 and have four children. Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in their Seattle garage in 1994 and turned it into a colossus that dominates online retail. In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Amazon, which has a market capitalization of some $890 billion, said MacKenzie Bezos will control four percent of the company's outstanding common stock. At Amazon's current share price that would be worth some $35.6 billion. According to Forbes magazine, the divorce settlement makes MacKenzie Bezos the third wealthiest woman in the world after L'Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Walmart's … [Read more...] about Amazon”s Bezos, wife reach biggest divorce deal in history
Anti-gay marriage groups win Taiwan referendum battle
The result came at the end of a dramatic evening which saw Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen resign as leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after it suffered major defeats in key mid-term polls, a significant blow to her prospects for re-election in 2020. The Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) made gains in the face of China's increasing pressure on the island. As well as voting for seats from village to city level, there were 10 referendums on the ballot, including pro- and anti-gay marriage proposals. A referendum calling for marriage to only be recognised as between a man and a woman in Taiwan's Civil Code won more than seven million votes, while another calling for same-sex unions to be regulated under a separate law gained over six million. Gay rights activists had proposed that the Civil Code should give same-sex couples equal marriage rights, but only garnered three million votes. "Pro-family" group the Coalition for the Happiness of our Next … [Read more...] about Anti-gay marriage groups win Taiwan referendum battle
The loneliness of Vietnam’s LGBT community
Shocking, poignant stories were narrated at an unusual event hosted recently by the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. The Storytelling Contest on LGBTQI issues, involving members of the community as well as their families and friends, was part of a series of mini events supporting Viet Pride. LGBTQI stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex. Viet Pride is an annual event that focuses “on celebrating the freedom of love and personal expression, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.” Most of the 23 contestants who participated in the event were 15-25 years old. Some sat alone, some surrounded by friends and families. Some looked cheerful, others looked nervous. But when the story telling began, people bared their souls and shared their anguish. Tran Duc Bao, who won the first prize at the contest, shared how his name was modified to mock him. His friends and classmates called him Bao Duc, the initials of which … [Read more...] about The loneliness of Vietnam’s LGBT community
The loneliness of Vietnam’s LBGT community
Shocking, poignant stories were narrated last month at an unusual event hosted by the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. The Storytelling Contest on LGBTQI issues, involving members of the community as well as their families and friends, was part of a series of mini events supporting Viet Pride. Viet Pride is an annual event that focuses “on celebrating the freedom of love and personal expression, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.” Most of the 23 contestants who participated in the event were 15-25 years old. Some sat alone, some surrounded by friends and families. Some looked cheerful, others looked nervous. But when the story telling began, people bared their souls and shared their anguish. Tran Duc Bao, who won the first prize at the contest, shared how his name was modified to mock him. His friends and classmates called him Bao Duc, the initials of which fit the pronunciation of “Bê đê”. “Bê … [Read more...] about The loneliness of Vietnam’s LBGT community