vietexplorer0030

Hanoi Spring , an exhibition at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hanoi, showcases 36 unique artworks from renowned artists selected from the museum’s modern art and Hang Trong folk painting collections. Visitors have the opportunity to admire the exquisite artworks by prominent artists. Photo: VNA Nguyen Anh Minh, the Director of the  Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts , emphasized the significance of spring in Hanoi as a unique feature and source of inspiration for artists. The charm and ambiance of Hanoi’s spring have been immortalized in numerous literary and artistic works. “In terms of visual arts, the enchanting atmosphere, picturesque scenery, and harmony of Hanoi’s spring have always been a muse for countless generations of artists. This source of inspiration never ceases, just like the four seasons that cyclically grace our lives, perpetually in motion, evolving, and flourishing,” he explained. The exhibition splendidly captures the beauty of Hanoi duri...

There are 38 artworks created by young Vietnamese artists currently on display at the Temple of Literature. These unique pieces are inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The exhibition, titled “Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints,” opened on January 23. Originating from the Edo period (1615-1868), these vibrant woodblock prints depict various scenes from everyday life in Japan. Ukiyo-e, which translates to “pictures of the floating world,” refers to the licensed brothel and theater districts in Japan’s major cities during the Edo period. The exhibition showcases 38 artworks by Vietnamese artists. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times The ukiyo-e style emerged in 1765 and remained popular until the final decades of the Meiji period (1868-1912). While paintings by contemporary artists were only affordable for the wealthy, ukiyo-e prints were accessible to a wide audience, including commoners, as they could be produced relatively cheaply and in large quanti...

Recently, French researcher Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier (President of the Asian Artists Association in Paris) presented the book Modern Art in Indochina (L’Art Moderne En Indochine) to the Vietnamese public, shedding light on the darkness that obscures the richness and importance of Indochinese art, an important part of international art history. On this occasion, Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier talks to The Hanoi Times about her experiences after 10 years of research into Vietnam’s Golden Age of Art. How did you come to research Indochinese art? Since I was a child, I followed my father, the owner of the Aguttes auction house, to museums and collectors. In 1995, my family moved to Paris, where the art market was vibrant. I became interested in painting in general, oriental painting, and impressionism. Gradually, I have specialized in modern art. Since 2013, I have been studying Indochinese art and artists from Asia. Since then, I have supervised and auctioned about 1,000 paintings, incl...

An exhibition of nearly 50 artworks with a wildlife theme by comic artist Jeet Zdung is currently being showcased until November 20 at the Live Platform in Hue City, located in the central province of Vietnam. The organizer states that contemporary wildlife art has gradually lost its inclusivity and has succumbed to human narratives, as evidenced by the works of popular artists such as Damien Hirst and Kohei Nawa. Conversely, through various discussions on creativity in wildlife art, the bond between artists, scientists, and wildlife conservationists has grown stronger over time. This exhibition tells the story of artist Jeet Zdung and wildlife conservationist Trang Nguyen, as they collaborated in Cat Tien National Park and Yok Don National Park under the organization Free The Bears to create two comic books titled “Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear” and “Saving H’non: Chang and the Elephant.” Wildlife art not only reproduces the diverse forms and appearances of the natural world...

The Hanoi Art Connecting is happening at the Hanoi Architectural University from October 18 to 24. Vietnamese artist Vu Tuan Dat will be participating in Hanoi Art Connecting 2023. Hanoi Art Connecting (HAC) is now in its sixth edition, showcasing various artistic activities such as painting workshops, printmaking, sculpture, installation, and more. This year, the event brings together 80 international artists from 30 countries and 70 artists from Vietnam. Hanoi Art Connecting is an annual event held in Vietnam and other Asian countries. It was initiated by artist Trinh Tuan and Asia Art Link, an artist community in Asia. The event has attracted artists from the ASEAN region, Asia, Europe, and America. This year’s event features renowned artists like Le Huy Tiep, Phan Cam Thuong, Vu Dinh Tuan, Cong Kim Hoa, Trinh Minh Tien (Vietnam), Kamol Tassananchalee (Thailand), Fil Dela Cruz (Philippines), Edi Sunaryo (Indonesia), Carolyn Muskat, Don McKinney (USA), as well as professors and l...

Renowned visual artist, Quang Dai, has debuted his thought-provoking installation art at the Palais-Royal, a historic landmark in the heart of Paris. This former French royal palace has provided the perfect backdrop for Dai’s captivating exhibition. The show’s title “How are you these days?” is elegantly displayed on the stained glass window of the gallery, featuring translations in Vietnamese, English, and French. The profound message behind this artwork is the significance of fostering connections and building relationships through dialogue.  The artworks are on display at the Royal French Palace in District 1, Paris, France. The pieces showcased in the exhibition are meticulously crafted using synthetic fibers, resins, and handcrafted finishes. Through their vibrant array of colors, these artworks evoke a wide range of emotions, creating a sense of being intricately molded from clay. The Palais-Royal is a historical landmark situated in the 1st district of Paris...

The painting and sculpture exhibition titled “Mau Nang” (Sunlight Colors) by artists Dinh Khac Cong, Vu Thanh Yen, Hoang Ngoc Ha, Le Ngoc Huyen, Luu Thanh Lan, and Nguyen Nghia Cuong, opened today (October 14) in Hanoi. Each artist has their own unique style, but they share a common love and passion for beauty, which is evident in their creative journey. This exhibition showcases the diversity of pictorial and sculptural language in contemporary art, reflecting the dynamic nature of society. The artworks, created using different materials and themes, depict the natural and human beauty found throughout the country. Visitors will have the opportunity to see exquisite lacquer paintings by Vu Thanh Yen, which expertly portray people, landscapes, and still lifes using the traditional lacquer material’s mysterious and refined color palette. Hoang Ngoc Ha’s artworks combine luxurious silk material with a contemporary touch, while Nguyen Nghia Cuong’s landscape paintings possess a unique ...

Painter Ngoc Linh, aged 93, has recently published a remarkable collection titled “Hanoi I Love”. This publication showcases his exquisite miniature paintings portraying the captivating Hanoi landscape that he masterfully created three decades ago. The book launch ceremony for the artist’s family’s National Archives Center III took place on October 5th. The book offers a delightful exploration of Hanoi’s artistic and cultural heritage, featuring a remarkable collection of nearly 140 miniature drawings. Printed in both Vietnamese and English, it provides readers with a unique “pocket-sized Hanoi” experience. Painted in 1991, these drawings beautifully depict the charming landscapes and streets of the capital city, making it a must-have for art enthusiasts and those captivated by the beauty of Hanoi.  Artist Ngoc Linh in one of his recent exhibitions.  Ngoc Linh’s Miniature Paintings Experience the incredible talent of Ngoc Linh through her exquisite oil paint...

The exhibition showcases over 80 stunning photographs that offer a genuine perspective from photographers and journalists on a significant moment in Hanoi’s history: the 15-year anniversary since the expansion of its administrative boundaries. This special exhibition commemorates the 69th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day, celebrated from October 10, 1954, to October 10, 2023. A significant achievement  The opening ceremony of “Hanoi in My Heart” took place on 5 October at Temple of Literature, Hanoi According to Nguyen Thanh Loi, the Editor-in-Chief of the Economic & Urban Newspaper, the 15 years of administrative boundary expansion have been a crucial period in the development history of the ancient capital city of Hanoi. “The collection of photographs captured by seasoned photographers is of immense value, offering a unique glimpse into the evolving landscape of Hanoi. Present-day Hanoi has not only transformed into a verdant, contemporary metro...

The fourth iteration of Vietnam Design Week 2023 concluded on September 29th at the Temple of Literature. During the event, the costume design Ratla Xuan by Nguyen Khai Tam won the first prize in the Designed by Vietnam competition. Ratla Xuan, designed by Nguyen Khai Tam, wins the Designed by Vietnam contest. Nguyen Khai Tam crafted the winning costume by utilizing available materials and repurposing discarded fabrics. The costume showcases hand-stitched and woven patterns, celebrating the creativity of craftsmanship while promoting sustainability. Nguyen Khai Tam, the designer, stated: “As a proponent of sustainable fashion, I am passionate about the reuse of fashion waste. Inspired by this year’s theme, ‘Design from limitations,’ at Vietnam Design Week, I aim to contribute to the sustainable fashion movement and inspire young designers in Vietnam to embrace it and make their mark in the realm of Vietnamese and international sustainable fashion.” The second prize ...

Hanoi-based photographer Tran Viet Van, from Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper, received an honorable mention at the 20th International Photography Awards (IPA) 2023 in the US. Van’s entry, titled “The Rhythm of Time,” consists of nine color photos and was recognized in the Press Photo category. The photos showcase the daily life and activities of Cuban people in Old Havana and Trinidad during his visit to the Latin American country in November 2022. Some of the images from this series have previously won an Honorable Mention in the Press Photo category at the World Master of Photography Awards in Austria and a Third Prize at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year in the UK, the world’s leading award for food photography. The IPA 2023 received over 15,000 entries from 120 countries worldwide. Esteemed photography experts from the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy selected excellent works in various categories for exhibitions and publication in books. The winners in categories s...

A team of distinguished comic book illustrators from the UK have arrived in Vietnam to offer complimentary children’s book illustration classes to aspiring young Vietnamese artists. Jan Fearnley, renowned illustrator of 26 bestselling children’s books, and Jane Buckley, award-winning art director of Simon & Schuster Publishing House, which is considered one of the world’s top five publishing houses for children’s books, are leading the classes. This exceptional opportunity for local artists is made possible through the collaboration of Nha Nam Culture and Media Joint Stock Company, Simon & Schuster Publishing House, and Pop Up Projects, an esteemed UK-based organization focused on the development of children’s literature. The course officially commenced on September 6 in Hanoi.   Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam, opens the course. Photo: VietNamNet The course boasts a specific focus on teaching students of illustration and professi...

French auction house Lynda Trouvé will be auctioning off several Indochinese artworks, including 19 paintings by King Ham Nghi, who was exiled to Algeria by the French colonialists due to his patriotism. The auction is scheduled for September 22. One notable piece is “Soleil Couchant Sur La Campagne” (Sunset over the Countryside), painted in 1911, which features the handwritten date, signature, and royal title of the king. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a collection of paintings by the esteemed former emperor of Annam, the predecessor of modern-day Vietnam. These works of art, sourced from the attic of Henri Aubé, a French military officer who served in Hanoi from 1907 to 1909, are being made available for sale. It is a rare occasion as such a large number of these remarkable paintings have never been offered on the market before.  Soleil couchant sur la campagne (Sunset over the Countryside), painted by King Ham Nghi in 1911. According to Drouot.com, the ...

An exhibition titled “Our Country” is currently taking place in Hanoi to mark the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. The exhibition showcases over 80 exceptional landscape paintings created between 1930 and 2007. The paintings, carefully selected from the museum’s modern art collection, were crafted by renowned artists from different generations, including graduates of the Indochina Art School, artists trained in Resistance Art courses, and younger artists. The exhibition features artists from the Indochinese Art School (1925-1945), such as Luong Xuan Nhi, Nguyen Van Ty, Phan Ke An, and Huynh Van Thuan, as well as artists born during the war of resistance, including Luu Cong Nhan, Duong Ngoc Canh, and Tran Thanh Ngoc. Present-day artists like Do Thi Ninh, Le Van Hai, and Dang Thi Khue are also represented. Through various styles and perspectives, the exhibition vividly depicts the beauty of different regions in Vietnam. Popular destinations like Ban Gioc Wa...

An exhibition of art ceramics titled “Sacred Animals of Modern Times” by Meritorious Artisan Tran Nam Tuoc from Bat Trang has opened at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi. The exhibition features over 30 sets of ceramic sculptures depicting sacred animals such as horses, kylins, dragons, carp turning into dragons, and phoenixes. The artworks showcased in the exhibition demonstrate the fusion of painting elements and sculpture language, showcasing the essence of traditional Bat Trang ceramics combined with Tuoc’s innovations in glaze colors and shapes. Painter Luong Xuan Doan, President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, praised Tuoc’s unique style deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. He commended Tuoc’s ability to create modern ceramic artworks with significant aesthetic value, conveying meaningful messages about Vietnamese cultural traditions and history through the portrayal of sacred animals. Doan stated, “With his talent, artist Tuoc has produced valuable ceramic scul...