Chim (Bird) — an excerpt
Chim | Bird explores an unusual way humans cling desperately to nature amongst the ever-enclosing urban environment of Hanoi. In the last decade, the once-buried subculture of songbird competitions has exploded in popularity. Men all over the city gather at bird cafés, set their birds in the sun, and watch them for hours, judging whose bird has the sweetest voice. Raising these birds require meticulous care and dedication, even love.
Fanciful as it all sounds, the practice comes at a price. These creatures are, after all, caged prisoners, unable to fly. Is holding one’s love captive love at all? Have we caged ourselves in cement?
