Re-Aligning the Cosmos The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre proposes to organise a twelve-month ‘Fellowship’ exploring Vietnam’s cultural tradition of respect for the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water – essential materials to the earth’s cultural sustainability. Via an Open Call one artist/collective will critically respond to one element and its endangerment in Vietnam, co-developing their ideas and research with relevant local communities. The applicants will also include a public programme in which developments can be followed and discussed. In the traditional Vietnamese worldview, people should live in harmony with nature. At the same time, however, they must make use of natural resources to provide for their day-to-day survival. Nature was also seen as a constant threat to human survival, with the frequent occurrence of floods, typhoons, droughts and other natural calamities. Due to growing population pressure and recent rapid economic growth, environmental problems have increased significantly in recent decades. The extent to which the public is concerned about environmental problems is not known, however, although there seems to be a general assumption that most people have little knowledge about matters relating to the environment. After a millennium under Chinese occupation, Vietnam has inevitably adopted a significant portion of Chinese cultural traits into its local life. This could manifest in many forms, at many levels and occasions, from festive Lunar New Year shenanigans to more sombre realities like sexism and an overwhelming emphasis on academic achievement. Five Elements Theory is a Chinese philosophy used to describe interactions and relationships between things. The five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — are believed to be the fundamental elements of everything in the universe between which interactions occur. Five Elements Theory first appeared during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). It became widespread: mostly used in Chinese medicine, philosophy, fengshui, fortune-telling, and martial arts. Outputs

	1 Exhibition 

	1 E-book 

	2 Workshops 

	3 Talks 

	1 Film screening

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Outcomes 

	Awareness of commitment to cause in artistic contemporary expression in Vietnam

	Further development of guest lectures in collaboration with local universities 

	Promotion of The Factory as an art space

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Impact 

	Recognition of artists in society as crucial members of social change, (image-makers whospeak objectively about the cause and effect of social histories 

	Embolden youth to act concerning environmental justice, 

	Better connect rural and urban leading to better informed decisions on sustainable materials 

	Opening the discussion about spiritual and superstitious practices in Vietnam looking for  alternative methodologies 

	Make artists consider their ethical methods and choices

	To critically engage the effect of urban decisions on rural communities 

	Fostering interdisciplinary dialogues among cultural workers, artists, curators, researchers, environmentalists, and community members 

	Engaging the public in thinking about environmental issues from different perspectives and question their own impacts, ethical dilemmas, responsibility

​ artists, the art community, local communities and interested public