LIAO Xuan-Zhen (b.1993) and HUANG I-Chieh (b.1992) earn Bachelor of Arts at Taipei University of Arts, currently based in Taipei, Taiwan. Their practices include video installations, photographies, performance and installations.

Their work went on display at various locations, including C-LAB (Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab), Taipei Museum of Contemporary Arts, Taiwanese Arts Museum, Kuandu Arts Museum, OCAC (Open-Contemporary Art Center), TheCube Art Space, Taipei Center of Contemporary Arts, Fotoaura Institution of Photography, Absolute Art Space, Hong Kong Actual Images Assocation, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and Taiwanese Cultural Center in Tokyo.

Their works were also introduced in Jihlava Documentary Film Festival (2016), Marseille International Film Festival (2017), Taiwan Documentary Film Festival (2018), Taiwan Biennale (2016) and Yokohama Triennale (2024). HUANG and LIAO were shortlisted for the 20th Taishin Arts Award and the 15th Taishin Arts Award, and were also recipients of the Special Award at the Taoyuan Contemporary Art Award.

‘He Ri Jun Zai Lai’ is the name of a Chinese love song written by musician Liu Xue’an in 1937 based on the tango tunes. It was once famous during the 40s of the twentieth century through the ‘golden voice’ of Zhou Xuan and later became Teresa Teng’s signature song in 1978. This is one of Liao Xuan-Zhen’s favorite song.

Liao Xuan-Zhen and Huang I-Chieh are two Taiwanese artists who came to Vietnam for a brief three-week stay, as part of the MEANDER MAPS: HANOI project launched by OCAC and Nhà Sàn Collective.

We had the chance to become friends and get a closer look at their work while helping coordinate their field trips and research. Their focus was on caves and man-made shelters in Vietnam, viewed through the lens of a modern-day ‘The Peach Blossom Spring’—a literary allusion to Oriental myths of utopia. From Ghềnh Temple, Chầu Bà Temple, Thay Pagoda, and Huong Pagoda, to the votive paper craft village of Phúc Am, we—alongside Á Space’s friends, Ostin Fam and Sơn PT, accompanied them on journeys we might never have taken otherwise. The trip also led them to the Vịnh Moc tunnels, the final destination of their journey.

During their last day, our two friends shared with us an art project they have been carrying out since 2014 (a decade to this day) consisting of many chapters. A part of this project is currently being displayed at Yokohama Triennale 2024.

Their stay was not long (during the time we were also busy with a bunch of other things), but enough to have enjoyable memories and share interesting stories. We became so much inspired by our two friends. I-Chieh’s enthusiasm on social matters, drafts of caves’ surfaces and the melodies of the songs Xuan-Zhen taught us lingered at the back of our mind everytime we recall our interactions. We hope one day we can see you again in Vietnam and continue with our food tour!