Arrighi captures warmth of everyday Viet Nam
HCM CITY — Regis Arrighi’s exhibit of images of ordinary Vietnamese can be seen at the city’s Photographers’ Association, following the French photographer’s three-week visit to Viet Nam.
During his fourth visit to the country, Arrighi travelled to suburban areas outside HCM City to take photos of the people who are often not seen in glossy tourism brochures.
The exhibit, titled Sai Gon Smiles, features 42 black-and-white photos of barbers, market vendors and manual labourers on construction sites.
"I find simple and friendly Saigonese very attractive," Arrighi said. "They smile as soon as they see me raise my camera. This is different from my birthplace in Corsica where the people are friendly but can appear rather cold and reserved."
Arrighi’s works have been exhibited in France to raise funds for humanitarian organisations including World Physicians and the Corsica-Viet Nam Friendship Association.
His photos have featured the land and people of Romania and the Tzigane gypsy people who live on the island of Corsica, a French territory in the Mediterranean Sea.
The photographer made his first visit to HCM City in 2004 on the recommendation of a friend who had spent many years living in Viet Nam.
Arrighi has travelled to many regions in Viet Nam, including the coastal city of Vung Tau and Can Tho in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.
Last year, he held an exhibition in Ajaccio, Corsica, called the Life of People in HCM City, Vung Tau and Can Tho.
The exhibition can be seen at the Photographers’ Association on 122 Suong Nguyet Anh Street in District 1 until next Tuesday.
Par Duc Ngoc - Le Courrier du Vietnam - September 22, 2007
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