World-famous Spanish architect Salvador Perez Arroyo came to Vietnam in 2009 and decided to stay here (Photo courtesy of Vietnamese Women's Museum) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - World-famous Spanish architect Salvador PerezArroyo arrived in Vietnam back in 2009 and decided to stay in thecountry where he discovered an endless source of positive energy.
He’s responsible for significant projects around theworld, such as the 100m-high Moncloa Tower in Madrid. In 2009, he received acall to work in Vietnam, and that’s when he fell in love with thecountry and decided to establish a company here, working out of QuangNinh, Hanoi and Da Nang.
One of his most notable works in Vietnam is QuangNinh Museum, which is a must-see destination for tourists to the northernprovince of Quang Ninh. The unique architecture combines history, culture andthe tourism potential of the province, and has become a popular spotto take photos.
Arroyo was born in 1945 in Madrid but currentlylives in Hanoi. He has lectured at universities in England, Italy,Poland and the Netherlands, in addition to being a speaker at internationalconferences in Berlin and Copenhagen. He has also received 50global architecture awards.
Besides architecture, Arroyo also has a passion forphotography. Since 2009, he has been taking photos that truthfully reflectreal life in cities across Vietnam.
His first solo exhibition held in July in Hanoi featured black-and-white photos reflecting life and culture in modern Vietnam, extracted from the book Happy Streets.
Though the opening ceremony was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition still drew attention from local visitors.
The book Happy Streets is asociological experiment on modern Vietnamese society through photography. Thearchitect studies contemporary Vietnamese life in cities through theinteractions between its inhabitants in public spaces.
“I was looking into my significant life period in Vietnam to preserve these special instants in open urban spaces: streets, squaresor landscapes,” said Arroyo.
“I was looking for happy and intense images totransmit a positive message about life and culture in Vietnam. This is thereason you will not find classic pictures like conical hats or handicraftworkers in this book.”
Arroyo admitted that Vietnam today is a moderncountry which changes quickly every year.
“Public spaces are full of creativity, dynamism andyoung people. We also can’t say Vietnamese street culture is far fromtradition. The word ‘fusion’ can be used here.”
“It’s always a big surprise to find modern lifesupported by young people but perfectly mixed with traditional roots,” headded.
He explained it’s the reason why he and otherforeigners are attracted to Vietnam.
The choice to use black and white was anintentional decision to draw attention to things that are constant andunchanging. According to the architect, the black and white makes theimage “reduced to its essential qualities”.
“Thanks to the absence of colour, the search for theessential is the classic component that appeals to the maximum expression ofthe composition itself in the eyes of the public.”
He named the book Happy Streets becausefrom the beginning, he was impressed by the dynamism and intense activity hecan enjoy by walking on the streets and observing the surrounding life.
Most of the photos are about city life and people’sportraits, however, he has also reflected significant landscapes which arepopular among foreign tourists such as Hanoi's Old Quarter, a lotus pondnear West Lake, the Temple of Literature, Sword Lake and Ba Vi NationalPark.
“This book is not dedicated to landscapes; I ammore interested in people in open urban spaces but I like the photo taken in BaVi because it displays so clearly to me the human scale in front ofnature,” he said.
“You should come in the morning while the mist stillrests in the air. The intense humidity and the smell of the fresh forestbrings a fantastic experience.”
The architect has nurtured a special love for Hanoi.He spends hours visiting tourist attractions or contemplating astreet corner with a cup of coffee.
He enjoys following the small streets and lost cornersof Hanoi. Walking around the old city is a pleasure for him.
“You can connect and discover many places and specialpeople who quickly become friends,” he said.
“Hanoi was built with over hundreds of layers, andmany of them are still present mixed with modern construction.”
Arroyo does not consider himself an expert in thisfield. But only good photographs release stories and unleash in the observerthe narrative interpretation of the captured reality.
“Through photographs, I capture today's Vietnam: aperfect balance between modernity and the most authentic Vietnamesetraditions,” said Arroyo.
The knowledge of street culture gives him theopportunity to understand the country in a different way. The experience alwaysbrings joyful discoveries and helps him understand how small thedifferences are between different cultures./.
He’s responsible for significant projects around theworld, such as the 100m-high Moncloa Tower in Madrid. In 2009, he received acall to work in Vietnam, and that’s when he fell in love with thecountry and decided to establish a company here, working out of QuangNinh, Hanoi and Da Nang.
One of his most notable works in Vietnam is QuangNinh Museum, which is a must-see destination for tourists to the northernprovince of Quang Ninh. The unique architecture combines history, culture andthe tourism potential of the province, and has become a popular spotto take photos.
Arroyo was born in 1945 in Madrid but currentlylives in Hanoi. He has lectured at universities in England, Italy,Poland and the Netherlands, in addition to being a speaker at internationalconferences in Berlin and Copenhagen. He has also received 50global architecture awards.
Besides architecture, Arroyo also has a passion forphotography. Since 2009, he has been taking photos that truthfully reflectreal life in cities across Vietnam.
His first solo exhibition held in July in Hanoi featured black-and-white photos reflecting life and culture in modern Vietnam, extracted from the book Happy Streets.
Though the opening ceremony was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition still drew attention from local visitors.
The book Happy Streets is asociological experiment on modern Vietnamese society through photography. Thearchitect studies contemporary Vietnamese life in cities through theinteractions between its inhabitants in public spaces.
“I was looking into my significant life period in Vietnam to preserve these special instants in open urban spaces: streets, squaresor landscapes,” said Arroyo.
“I was looking for happy and intense images totransmit a positive message about life and culture in Vietnam. This is thereason you will not find classic pictures like conical hats or handicraftworkers in this book.”
Arroyo admitted that Vietnam today is a moderncountry which changes quickly every year.
“Public spaces are full of creativity, dynamism andyoung people. We also can’t say Vietnamese street culture is far fromtradition. The word ‘fusion’ can be used here.”
“It’s always a big surprise to find modern lifesupported by young people but perfectly mixed with traditional roots,” headded.
He explained it’s the reason why he and otherforeigners are attracted to Vietnam.
The choice to use black and white was anintentional decision to draw attention to things that are constant andunchanging. According to the architect, the black and white makes theimage “reduced to its essential qualities”.
“Thanks to the absence of colour, the search for theessential is the classic component that appeals to the maximum expression ofthe composition itself in the eyes of the public.”
He named the book Happy Streets becausefrom the beginning, he was impressed by the dynamism and intense activity hecan enjoy by walking on the streets and observing the surrounding life.
Most of the photos are about city life and people’sportraits, however, he has also reflected significant landscapes which arepopular among foreign tourists such as Hanoi's Old Quarter, a lotus pondnear West Lake, the Temple of Literature, Sword Lake and Ba Vi NationalPark.
“This book is not dedicated to landscapes; I ammore interested in people in open urban spaces but I like the photo taken in BaVi because it displays so clearly to me the human scale in front ofnature,” he said.
“You should come in the morning while the mist stillrests in the air. The intense humidity and the smell of the fresh forestbrings a fantastic experience.”
The architect has nurtured a special love for Hanoi.He spends hours visiting tourist attractions or contemplating astreet corner with a cup of coffee.
He enjoys following the small streets and lost cornersof Hanoi. Walking around the old city is a pleasure for him.
“You can connect and discover many places and specialpeople who quickly become friends,” he said.
“Hanoi was built with over hundreds of layers, andmany of them are still present mixed with modern construction.”
Arroyo does not consider himself an expert in thisfield. But only good photographs release stories and unleash in the observerthe narrative interpretation of the captured reality.
“Through photographs, I capture today's Vietnam: aperfect balance between modernity and the most authentic Vietnamesetraditions,” said Arroyo.
The knowledge of street culture gives him theopportunity to understand the country in a different way. The experience alwaysbrings joyful discoveries and helps him understand how small thedifferences are between different cultures./.
VNA
