Fragment No. 75

This is a visual dialogue between weathered bamboo stalks and the green shoots emerging in renewal. The coexistence of the “old” and the “new” does not suggest decay, but rather expresses a continuous cycle of birth – growth – transmission – continuation.

In Vietnamese culture, bamboo symbolizes community spirit, resilience, and an indomitable will: supple in the face of adversity, yet never yielding. Even when dry, bamboo remains useful — a quiet foundation that sustains life and supports the generations that follow.

Placed within the context of global dialogue, this image also serves as a metaphor for cultural diversity. Each culture is like a bamboo stalk, carrying its own history and values; not in opposition, but coexisting, supporting, and enriching one another. It is through differences that are respected and understood that a humane and sustainable society can truly take shape.

I photographed the carpet fragment in my mother's garden. My mother is very old and won't be around much longer. Soon, like the blossoms in the picture, she will fall off the tree of life and leave empty spaces in the day-to-day tapestry of many people. This is natural and yet something that is hardly ever talked about.