Cloud Chamber Exhibition Chronicles Art Labor’s Decade-Long Journey with Jrai Artists

Para Site, Hong Kong’s contemporary art hub, is set to unveil Cloud Chamber, an innovative exhibition showcasing the groundbreaking work of the Ho Chi Minh City-based art collective, Art Labor. Running from August 17 to November 24, 2024, the exhibition marks the first institutional survey of the collective’s decade-long journey of artistic collaboration and research in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, with a specific focus on the Jrai community.

Founded by artists Thao Nguyen Phan, Truong Cong Tung, and curator Arlette Quynh-Anh Tran, Art Labor has established itself as a visionary force in contemporary art. Their practice is deeply intertwined with their long-term engagement with the Jrai people, a marginalized Indigenous group residing in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Cloud Chamber highlights their collaborative work with Jrai artists and reflects on the multifaceted history and culture of the region—one shaped by war, industrialization, missionary activity, and environmental change.

Reframing the Central Highlands’ Narrative

Through a diverse array of artworks, including sculptures, installations, moving images, and archival material, Cloud Chamber challenges dominant narratives of the Central Highlands, offering fresh perspectives on the region’s history and contemporary issues. This exhibition invites viewers to explore the ongoing impact of colonialism, the effects of industrialization, and the region’s spiritual practices, as seen through the lens of Art Labor’s ongoing research and collaborations with local communities.

One of the exhibition’s central themes is duality, symbolized by the title Cloud Chamber. The name refers to a scientific phenomenon where matter and antimatter collide—echoing the Jrai cosmological belief in reincarnation and the cyclical nature of life and death. This duality, often explored through the juxtaposition of modernity and tradition, regeneration and destruction, is a recurring motif in Art Labor’s work and is reflected in the array of diverse media and artistic expressions that comprise the exhibition.

Jrai artists have played a significant role in this creative exchange, contributing traditional wood-carved sculptures, musical instruments, and other cultural artifacts to the exhibition. These works are shown alongside contemporary pieces from Art Labor and other artists inspired by the Central Highlands. Through this multifaceted presentation, Cloud Chamber weaves a counter-narrative to the prevailing depictions of the region, particularly those shaped by colonial and industrial forces.

A Journey of Collaboration and Exchange

Cloud Chamber is not just an exhibition; it represents a long-standing collaborative relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and continuous exchange between Art Labor and the Jrai people. The project’s roots stretch back to 2016 when the collective first began working with Jrai artists on a series of public art initiatives. Since then, Art Labor’s work has grown and evolved, much like the rhizomatic networks they strive to embody—branching out and connecting with diverse communities.

The exhibition at Para Site is the culmination of years of field research and artistic experimentation, involving multiple layers of interaction between artists, anthropologists, and local communities. In July 2024, Art Labor and the Jrai community held a series of public events in the Central Highlands, including open-air exhibitions, sculpture displays, film screenings, live musical performances, and outdoor installations. These gatherings fostered dialogue and understanding, bridging the gap between urban and rural, contemporary and traditional, human and non-human.

By bringing this journey to Hong Kong, Cloud Chamber extends the reach of these exchanges, creating new connections within a broader network of collaborators. As Art Labor’s work transcends geographical borders, it fosters an expanded dialogue on cultural preservation, identity, and belonging.

Merging Science, Mythology, and Art

In Cloud Chamber, art serves as a bridge between seemingly disparate worlds—science and mythology, the human and the natural, the historical and the contemporary. The exhibition blends traditional Jrai artistry with modern technology, including moving image and installation pieces that engage the audience in a sensory exploration of the Central Highlands’ cultural landscape.

The exhibition’s use of dualities reflects the complex realities of the Central Highlands, where traditional beliefs and practices coexist with the forces of modernization. The collision between science and mythology is not a clash but rather a fusion that reveals the richness and depth of the Jrai worldview. By acknowledging these opposing forces, Art Labor opens up space for new narratives and possibilities to emerge.

Among the featured works are wood-carved sculptures and musical instruments crafted by Jrai artists, as well as archival material from French colonial missionaries who documented the region’s history. These artifacts are presented alongside contemporary works by artists such as Jacques Dournes, Nguyen Phuong Linh, and Puih Gloh, creating a dynamic interplay between past and present, tradition and innovation.

A Living Monument to Change

Curated by Celia Ho, Cloud Chamber is more than an exhibition; it is a living, evolving project that embodies the continuous adaptation and evolution of the communities it represents. The show provides a platform for underrepresented voices, amplifying the stories and experiences of the Jrai people while also reflecting the broader societal and environmental changes shaping the region.

As Art Labor continues to collaborate with Jrai artists and other creative practitioners, Cloud Chamber stands as a testament to the power of art as a tool for social change and cultural preservation. The exhibition offers an alternative narrative of the Central Highlands—one that honors the resilience and creativity of its people while envisioning new futures for the region.

Cloud Chamber is commissioned by Para Site in Hong Kong and T:> Works in Singapore, showcasing the ongoing relationship-building and shared creative journey between Art Labor, the Jrai community, and their expanding network of global collaborators.