Vietnam Grey-Green Dictionary a project by Hanoi DocLab DocLab Hanoi and Manzi Studios propose a series of five artist residencies in forests in which the artists will work in close contact with local communities. The concept of the residencies is based on 1960s-70s detention camps for artists and writers, who returned with traditional knowledge of nature. In the context of urbanisation and state-controlled media and education, the resulting exhibitions will be a dictionary of knowledge, intended to reconnect society with nature and art with activism, against unchecked development. The loss of forests due to economic development often goes hand in hand with the loss of ethnic minorities’ ecological knowledge. Due to increasing urbanisation and censorship the majority of the Vietnamese people have lost touch with their environment and cultural history, lacking awareness of sustainability and of the historical and continued government control against freedom of expression. Artists are generally positioned as outsiders and have little interest in social or environmental issues. After residencies with Indigenous forest communities, artists will produce a dictionary of ecological knowledge. **Outputs / Deliverables**

A series of residencies (expected 5) in the contested areas. Reach: 5 artists and the art communities who will be involved in the project

A series of workshops between artists and local indigenous communities to share knowledge of nature and to learn about bio- diversity in the areas. Reach: 4 or 5 International and local NGOs who work in the field of community development and environment. Hundreds of local indigenous people involved in the process (workshops, talks and collaborations)

A ‘dictionary’ – artist books, prints produced with local plants inks and dyes. 500 prints. Online version of the dictionary in form of e-book. Reach: Hundreds of local, national and regional artist communities, 1,000 people reach via printed publication, 10,000 readers reached via online publication.

A series of moving image works/ film processed with plant-based developers, traditional color processes and botanicals\_. \_The films will be made available online for free access Reach: 25,000 audience reached via film screenings and online version of the film series.

Mobile exhibitions, talks and workshops in Hanoi, and other contested provinces. Reach:

20,000 audience reached as audience of the exhibition, talks and workshops.

**Outcomes**

Participating artists become more socially and politically-engaged via intensive researches at site as well as during and after the creation of the project. Evidence: Two rounds of Interviews to be conducted during and after the project.

A more open and constructive dialogue between the participating artists, NGOs and the local communities. Evidence: Workshop results produced and/or documented. Interviews conducted after the workshops.

Local communities become more aware of the sustainable development and environmental/ecological issues. Evidence: Workshops, talks, and exhibitions at site

Interviews, questionnaire collected before and after the project

A growing number of art audiences (not only in big city but also in the project areas) Evidence: Social media engagements, attendance rate at events, Q&A discussion and questionnaire young urban audience, general public, ethnic minorities