I read this afternoon of the departure of Vince, manager of Campus, an alternative arts space in Hanoi, for Hong Kong. I've taken the liberty to cut and paste his explanation for his unexpected and quick departure at the end of this month. This is a shame. -RST

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Good Bye Hanoi Vietnam

"So here's the details on my job here in Hanoi Vietnam. For the last 6 months I have been directing and managing an artists residency here called CAMPUSHANOI. Everything has been great, I've met amazing people and amazing artists from all over the world, hosted some great shows, taught art classes, had drawing parties, experienced life in another country, and a lot more great things that i don't even know how to describe.

Unfortunatelly the two people that i work under have no idea what they are doing. They are not artists and don't understand how artists communities and relationships work. I work about 4 peoples jobs here, managing the building, getting residents here, reviewing applications, organizing shows and events, and so on. The problem is, these guys that i work for make horrible descisions based on nothing, descisions that should be made with my approval or by me alone because I am the one here and the one that really knows whats going on here in Hanoi and the one who is friends with the artists here. They are business men, and make descisions like this were any other business but it's not, it's a different kind of venture that I really don't think they are suited for.
For example, the signed up an artist for november without talking to me. I have no idea what this guys work is like or even if it is any good. I'm trying my best to make this place a site for new experimental works and would like to include only people who work in this manner. Then after signing this guy (and his wife) up in november they decide that they are going to kick out all the artists and myself in the same month to rent the residency to some business men that are going to be here for the APEC conference.

This is where Vince loses his shit.

I reply that this is not a hotel but an artist residency and we have a prior obligation to the artists that are here and that they are not on vacation, but here to work, and to work with the local artists, it's just an unethical idea to rent the place. I got a responce that I really wasn't expecting. That this is their venture and i have no say, if they want to turn it into a hotel they will. Well then. Now that I have no trust in these guys and i feel like i'm building a false floor under everyone here, i fucking quit.

My last day is July 31 and I will be moving out to Hong Kong to stay with Tony and work and hopefully save some money (I only get payed 175$ a month here so I dont think I can do much worse anywhere else) and make some art of my own. After i save some cash I'm thinking about checking out a residency in the Netherlands to work for 6 months on some art and then possibly going to Berlin for a while. I have no idea what happens after HK but this is sort of a plan I have in mind.

Hopefully none of you sent me any packages or anything as I'm not sure if i can get things forwarded. And to all of you that were planning on visiting, I'm sorry, you would love it here, but i guess you'll be coming to wherever else I end up. I hope all of you are doing well and I will see you all soon enough.

Miss you
-Vince

More information
+ Campus Hanoi