Elise Luong on research trip to Switzerland

Project: Form & Place . In image: Workshop hosted by Victor Dumont and Marion Menan in the framework of their project “Dégaine” where they invited students of the local dance school to contribute to their research regarding composure and performance.
Image by: Louise Devin

Elise Luong

Elise Luong (she/her) is French-Vietnamese-Australian. Raised in Melbourne, she holds a BFA in Photography & Video Arts from Belgium. Based in Hanoi since late 2016, she works as an art manager, writer, event manager & communication designer.

In 2012, when based in Brussels, she co-founded the not-for-profit organisation Undecided Productions (UP). Since moving to Vietnam, UP focuses on projects that encourage cultural exchange in the arts, such as managing the residency programme live.make.share.

“As an arts manager focused on cultural exchange projects, I am always interested in developing partnerships with relevant organisations and individuals in other countries. Since beginning to dig into the existing connections between Vietnam and Switzerland I am relieved to have come across some eccentric creators that are enthusiastic about and/or working on developing cultural exchange relations. I am eager to see how I can contribute to these ideas and fortify ongoing relations.

Since moving to Hanoi five years ago, I have focused on longer-term projects rather than one-off exhibition and event making. In 2018, I launched live.make.share, a residency organised in collaboration with Hien Van Ceramics, a traditional crafts studio east of Hanoi. The programme has welcomed over thirty international artists in its short existence, grouping creatives from across the globe and giving them the opportunity to learn from local ceramics practitioners. One of my aims of the research residency would be to seek sustainable partnerships with similar programs in Europe.

Further goals of this residency would be to explore the possibilities of bilateral relationships, outside of live.make.share, between Vietnamese and Swiss organisations. These exchanges could be in the form of new productions and artist collaborations. They could also be professional development opportunities for young art managers and curators. I am glad to discover the existing relationships between the two countries and look forward to witnessing the organic nature of these connections.”