Yunus Emre Enstitüsü participated in an important photography exhibition organized in Seoul under the Global Public Diplomacy Network (GPDNet), Enstitü is the term president of. Here are Vietnam impressions through three different visors with selected photographs.
Contributor: YUSUF MERİÇ
Photographers from Far East, as well as names from Turkey, participated in the cultural project titled “Photographs and Sustainable Development Targets” organized by Korea Foundation under GPDNet. Alper Taşcı representing London Yunus Emre Enstitüsü and Ministry of Culture and Tourism personnel Mehmet Bayram, participated as photographers on behalf of Turkey. The most striking photographs at the end of shoots held in Vietnam were presented to the public in an exhibition in capital of South Korea, Seoul in January 2017. Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş honoured the opening of the exhibition which is expected to be organized in Turkey and the Philippines in the coming days. We held interviews with names that added value to the event with on the occason of the exhibition, and selected the most exclusive photographs for the .tr magazine.
Alper Taşcı (Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Londra)
How could you describe us your experience of photographing in Vietnam?
A photographer may not always be able to find a suitable environment to take photos. I remember somebody walking past me on the road in Iran, tapping my camera with their hand and saying “you can not take photos here”. Despite not knowing the culture, rules and restrictions, I could not stop myself from touching my shutter release while in Vietnam, because it was ever so tempting. A bad reaction could have been the cause of being deeply disheartened. I drew attention as the only foreigner in the market place, where I first started taking photos. If we compare it with Europe where taking photos of children is almost impossible, Vietnamese turned the place into a Paradise in this sense. All that was left to do was to smile at this photographer, whose eyes and complexion tone is different. There is so much subject matter in this country that it is worth visiting many more times.
What was the reaction of Vietnamese society towards the GPDNet photographers and project in total?
The people of the town, where the project took place, were informed by the local government about the project and the participants of the project. The group participating from South Korea and us, the photographers, arrived about two weeks before and the people of the town became familiar with us. What they did not like very much was our cameras, rather than us. They became friendly enough to learn our names, moreover they showed friendship and became able to communicate even in the absence of our interpreter, and invited us into their homes, after we gained their trust by having chats through our interpreter. We drank warm water in the hot weather but over there this is normal.
How did you function as group of photographers?
Local photographers who came to meet us welcomed us with enthusiasm, and planned our joint activities. As the art has its own language, we did not have any problems communicating. We came together to give a presentation explaining our photographs. Besides the differences due to the geographical area we live in and culture, we noticed the common grounds in our photographs. We examined our own individual interpretation of these common grounds. We had day trips and had the chance to take pictures together. We had entertaining times during these day trips. Them knowing the area and using the light well was a great advantage for us. In this sense, we in fact did learn from the Vietnamese photographers. I believe that what they learnt from us was technique.
Do you project to meet with photographers you met during the project for future projects?
I also had the pleasant experience of meeting up with some of the Vietnamese photographers, whom we met during the project, in various towns and took photographs for four days, at the end of the project. This helped to develop the companionship we had into friendship.
What did this experience contribute to your perspective as a photographer and human being?
During the time I was in Vietnam I made observations about various subjects outside the region our project took place in. I tried to observe subjects such as history, social life, belief systems and education. As a result I caught sight of many details and each turned out to be more beautiful than the one before, which I can also use in my other interest, painting, as well as in photography. Therefore, I once again realised that every country has its own issues besides its unique beauty. It was surprising to see the level of technology employed, despite its distance to the Western countries both geographically and economically. But unfortunately, as a country with a hot climate the use of refrigeration and air conditioning is not a part of this. I concluded that because they did not lose the war they fought against one of the most powerful armies in the world, and despite the heavy losses they suffered; the Vietnamese people never needed the support of any other and have always been able to hold their head up.
What are your opinions regarding “Photographs and Sustainable Development in Vietnam” in general?
I believe Vietnam is not appreciated enough as a tourist destination, despite having as much natural beauty as the other neighbouring Asian countries. I am sure this and similar projects will greatly help to increase its recognition around the world. At present, photography takes precedence over writing in inspiring interest. Presentations of the photographs taken in Vietnam by photographers from various countries, through the channels of various exhibitions and publications will serve the growth of its tourism sector. When we consider the cultural exchange and new trade opportunities alongside tourism, we can say that the project did achieve one of its significant aims.
Could you tell us a memory from your experience that gives you smile?
The attempts of young and middle aged Vietnamese who stopped me on the road as I was walking, to greet me and to take photos with me, made me feel like a pop star which was greatly entertaining. When I found it difficult to eat the food they asked me ‘What would you like to eat?’ I will not forget that when I replied that it was seafood, I was served water snake at my table.
How do you think this project contributes to public diplomacy?
Turkey participated in this project alongside the Philippines and South Korea and as it is a country distant to these Asian countries both culturally and geographically, the project was organised in a small village rather than the capital or another city. This attracted more countrywide attention and made the people who witnessed the project in action or heard about it, smile and gave a feeling of being taken seriously. People from different occupations welcoming us in to their homes was without a doubt a sign of the project’s contribution to public diplomacy. Primary and secondary school students watched the presentations of respective countries- South Korea, Philippines and Turkey- with interest alongside the local government members and they will in the future have a different kind of sympathy towards these countries. This is just like the gratitude expressed by participants from South Korea, who we were with throughout the project, towards the Turkish people for not having left them alone in the Korean War.
Mehmet Bayram (Photographer)
How could you describe us your experience of photographing in Vietnam?
In the past years I got involved in many international projects which contains art and social liability at different times. But “Photographs and Sustainable Development” project is unique because it allowed its participants to combine their art and sociability at the same time. I think this is one thing that makes the project special. One of the biggest passions of my life is photography. In this respect, this passion has become something more interesting thanks to the incredible time we spent in Vietnam, and I think the country has so much to offer.
What was the reaction of Vietnamese society towards the GPDNet photographers and project in total?
From the beginning till the end of the project, all the Vietnamese we met were so friendly and hospitable to us. Especially the locals we met were very kind. They did their best and treated us very well. Although we were not speaking the same language, they knew that we were there for a good reason and even an exchange of a little smile was enough to communicate with them.
How did you function as group of photographers?
The participants were aware how important and special the project they got involved in. So everyone was highly attentive to the program and the schedule. In addition to English, we all were speaking another common language which is called photography. So it was easy for us to get along in a short time. We shared a lot about our photography experiences. We showed each other the photos we took before and made critics about them. During the program, we took photos all together at different places which were arranged for us so we had the chance to see each others’ photography techniques and perspectives.
Do you project to meet with photographers you met during the project for future projects?
Yes, we all made good friendships. Everyone invited each other to their countries to host them. And we are all also looking forward to different photo projects to get together.
What did this experience contribute to your perspective as a photographer and human being?
Photographers usually prefer to get specialized in a specific style. Through the project, I had the chance to experience different subjects than my photography style and my technical knowledge in photography was improved from learning from the other participants and Vietnamese photographers we met during the project.
What are your opinions regarding “Photographs and Sustainable Development in Vietnam” in general?
For me; it was a project full with learning, exploring and a chance to meet great people from other countries. It was a project I could not forget for the rest of my life.
Could you tell us a memory from your experience that gives you smile?
Yes, I have many memories regarding the project but one of them is really beautiful.
The children of the village we visited were very shy towards us at the beginning but we got used to each other in a very short time. They were pulling me to the beach to play football with them. In our last day in the village, they gave me sea shells as a present. It was quite touchy.
How do you think this project contributes to public diplomacy?
This project aims at fostering understanding for a nation’s ideals, culture and policies, thereby creating a sympathetic environment that makes it easier for the government to pursue its foreign policy goals.
Gihuh Noh (Photographer)
How could you describe us your experience of photographing in Vietnam?
The sky in Vietnam was clear and high. It was good weather for taking pictures. I took an aerial photograph. I was able to fly the drones high and far into the sky. The people were kind. They seemed to empathize with our activities. I did not work with the photographers from other countries because the schedule was different. I went to New York City and the village and took aerial photographs. Vietnamese people were amazed with the drones. I educated the villagers about the pictures with an introduction to Korea.
What was the reaction of Vietnamese society towards the GPDNet photographers and project in total?
Vietnamese children looked at the camera purely. I was just pressing the shutter. A good picture was taken without requiring a special pose. When I took a panoramic photo of a town, people came out of their houses and cooperated in shooting.
How did you function as group of photographers?
I did not interact with other photographers on other dates. I always imagined what they would take. I thought of my picture from Korea as much as imagining the photographers from various countries.
What did this experience contribute to your perspective as a photographer/and or human being?
It was the first time I visited South-east Asia. I had some South-east Asian friends in Korea. I imagined their stories and investigations overlapping. The myths of South-east Asian countries were surprisingly interesting. I will take more interest as an Asian. And I will try to take a picture of common human being in the age of globalization.
How do you think this project contributes to notion of public diplomacy?
I showed the work of Vietnamese photographers and we discussed these with each other. The colour and light we saw were different. We took pictures of Vietnam. While travelling through the murals in villages, we were exposed to Vietnamese media and people. Photography was part of the process. It will be shown to more people through exhibitions in key areas of each country.
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