Michael Nguyen

Artistic photography today moves quite differently than it did a few decades ago as a visual force and communicative intervention. This is amid an overflowing stream of images whose production, administration, and dissemination have long since run out of control of conscientious management. After film, television, computers, it is above all the smartphone that has catapulted us into a new visual age. Often, the challenge is to give the eyes an occasion to linger between their unsteady jumps from image to image. Michael Nguyen succeeds excellently in creating such an occasion with his photographs by creating clarity of vision and a challenge of interpretation through reduction and focus.

The pictures confront us with unique views of elements. They focus on the colors and shapes in detail and leave aside the manifold abundance of the surroundings. In this way, they unfold the power of the Particular: Something familiar, but exactly like this we have not seen things before.

Nguyen likes to play with the seduction of the geometric, the regular, the symmetrical. We find this everywhere as evidence of the constructive power of a design-oriented towards the ideal. Perfection is thus assumed, as is the case with the impressively harmonized light and color gradients or surface textures. At the same time, the viewer is placed in an ideal position, from which interest in what is depicted can unfold.

On the other hand, we are stimulated to let our imagination roam based on what is shown. Because in the stylization we find numerous occasions to associate moods and longings. This is particularly the case where people's appearance is detached from movement. The contrast with the extraordinary view of their surroundings plays an important role.

All in all: anyone who gets involved with Michael Nguyen's pictures will experience enrichment.