Cao Nguyen Huy Hoang
Sarah Kirchner
Hoang:
"When I think of humor I think of something particularly personal and as we talked the other day about it, it would be so weird to see future generations' humor as to how older generations don't get our humor.
I've been seeing memes for 13 years and I have made memes once. So to me, humor is more a of reactive space where I can be honest with my opinion as I am quite reserved.
I came across this absurd billboard last week on my way home. In the eye of the world, my country is this place where there is exponential economic growth. As a resident, I can confirm that. However there is also a culture-hegemony attached to this growth, and it is cool and careless capitalism. The billboard is advertising for a shopping mall project, a type of building that is going into decay in America, showing various scenes of hetero Caucasians enjoying the luxury of shopping and living in this soon to be realized dream vision. That's bread and butter for any kind of real estate developer here in Vietnam.
But somebody misplaced or intentionally installed a blank billboard with only the word "propaganda" attached to it. I found this immensely absurd. Either someone didn't care to even use a dictionary for their marketing, likewise of a copy of a copy that loses any kind of meaning, or someone inside just called it quits. Either way, it's indicative of everything that is cursed and fun among our youth: a crippling vision of progress that is forced to manifest in constant mindless entertainment and production.
But the wall got replaced so I couldn't photograph it. Instead, I went walking around to find the contradiction in this confusing mix of absurdity. I hope I'll come across something fun today."
I've been seeing memes for 13 years and I have made memes once. So to me, humor is more a of reactive space where I can be honest with my opinion as I am quite reserved.
I came across this absurd billboard last week on my way home. In the eye of the world, my country is this place where there is exponential economic growth. As a resident, I can confirm that. However there is also a culture-hegemony attached to this growth, and it is cool and careless capitalism. The billboard is advertising for a shopping mall project, a type of building that is going into decay in America, showing various scenes of hetero Caucasians enjoying the luxury of shopping and living in this soon to be realized dream vision. That's bread and butter for any kind of real estate developer here in Vietnam.
But somebody misplaced or intentionally installed a blank billboard with only the word "propaganda" attached to it. I found this immensely absurd. Either someone didn't care to even use a dictionary for their marketing, likewise of a copy of a copy that loses any kind of meaning, or someone inside just called it quits. Either way, it's indicative of everything that is cursed and fun among our youth: a crippling vision of progress that is forced to manifest in constant mindless entertainment and production.
But the wall got replaced so I couldn't photograph it. Instead, I went walking around to find the contradiction in this confusing mix of absurdity. I hope I'll come across something fun today."
Sarah:
"what a week to be talking about humor.
They just announced a third lockdown yesterday, and they will most likely also close our school for at least a month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGqHREWzwnA
"What a great time to be alive if you love the theater of the absurd"
I heavily rely on humor as a coping mechanism to deal with all the shit reality currently throws at us.
Humor can also be a way to respond to trauma, be it personal or societal.
I am good at one liners (according to my friends) and coming up with absurd comparisons or metaphors. I also love word play and creating different characters to entertain my friends.
Whilst I keep up this funny act around the people that are close to me, I currently feel quite empty and sad on the inside.
The irony to admit that during the "week of humor".
I am looking forward to what you have to say, since I am not feeling inspired to talk about humor at this point in time.
Maybe you want to have a call again on the weekend! "
"what a week to be talking about humor.
They just announced a third lockdown yesterday, and they will most likely also close our school for at least a month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGqHREWzwnA
"What a great time to be alive if you love the theater of the absurd"
I heavily rely on humor as a coping mechanism to deal with all the shit reality currently throws at us.
Humor can also be a way to respond to trauma, be it personal or societal.
I am good at one liners (according to my friends) and coming up with absurd comparisons or metaphors. I also love word play and creating different characters to entertain my friends.
Whilst I keep up this funny act around the people that are close to me, I currently feel quite empty and sad on the inside.
The irony to admit that during the "week of humor".
I am looking forward to what you have to say, since I am not feeling inspired to talk about humor at this point in time.
Maybe you want to have a call again on the weekend! "