“Encounter” kicks off this Wednesday with a lecture by renowned mathematician Professor Ngo Bao Chau. He is the fourth Asian to be awarded the Fields Medal (2010), the highest honour in mathematics, and the Simons Foundation recipient (2013).

Professor Ngô Bảo Châu will discuss the common ground between an artist's and scientist's work, addressing how he perceives artists as seeking rigor in their work in a fashion equal to scientists, especially mathematicians, who similarly look for ideas of beauty.

“Encounter” is part of a larger effort, “Conscious reality”, organised by San Art in partnership with Tri Viet Centre for Social and Educational Studies (Ho Chi Minh City).

It comprises a series of public lectures, workshops and discussions sessions. Its aim is to bring to Saigon thinkers from various backgrounds - arts, history, architecture, music, social science - and to create a platform to share contemporary cultural knowledge and the relationships among diverse South East Asian, Asian and African cultures.