Painting 'Canh Thìn' (Dragon) in late artist Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm's collection of 12 orient zodiac signs.

LÂM ĐỒNG Original paintings of 12 oriental zodiac signs by Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm, one of the most influential painters in 20th-century Việt Nam, are on display for the first time in Đà Lạt City in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng.

The artworks were created by the painter between 1993 and 2011, using pastels and watercolours on poonah paper.

The Đối Thoại Với Nhạc Cổ Điển Phương Tây (Dialogue with Western Classical Music) exhibition showcases the works of a celebrated Vietnamese painter, aiming not only to create an aesthetic space but also to foster a platform for intercultural and inter-artistic dialogue on philosophical and literary themes, according to the exhibition curator, Nguyễn Như Huy.

The exploration of visual and human chemistry goes beyond the boundaries of aesthetics, delving into deeper realms of thought and expression, Huy said.

“In Vietnamese fine arts, Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm (1918-2016) is an exceptionally unique figure. He was not only a masterful artist, but through his profound contemplation and in-depth cultural visual research, he quietly, yet resolutely and consistently, opened up a dialogue, or one might say a discourse and critique, on the topic of East-West identity -- an immensely significant theme in contemporary art often referred to as the post-colonial discourse,” the curator said.

The paintings featured in this exhibition belong to the private collection of the pianist Trần Lê Bảo Quyên, who is the grandniece of the painter.

By introducing the art collection to the public, pianist Quyên aims to create space for a "dialogue" with a predecessor in her family and explore new dimensions within herself, as she is pursuing Western art in an Eastern context.

The exhibition coincides with the Việt Nam Classical Music Festival 2024 (VCMF), organised by the Việt Nam Youth Symphony Orchestra from March 10-17.

The festival is expected to be an artistic event that brings new highlights to the UNESCO Creative City title awarded to Đà Lạt in the field of music.

It also provides an opportunity for both audiences and artists to explore classical music from a fresh perspective, combining traditional artistic values with unique experimental performance spaces.

The week-long festival gathers over 100 renowned Vietnamese and international music troupes and artists such as the Sông Hồng Ensemble, Schubert in a Mug and pianists Nguyễn Đức Anh, Liao Hsin-chiao from Chinese Taipei, and Tim Allhoff from Germany.

Pianist Liao Hsin-chiao from Taiwan is among artists performing at VCMF2024. Photo courtesy of the artist

Other fascinating performances in the framework of the festival include those by Sông Hồng Trio, a sunset concert and Beethoven’s A Portrait piano solo.

Đà Lạt was honoured as a UNESCO Creative Music City last October. The organisation of the classical music festival will promote the city's endeavours to preserve and develop different music genres.

Đà Lạt was recognised as a UNESCO Creative Music City last October. VNA/VNS Photo

In Việt Nam, Hà Nội was the first city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2019.

UNESCO launched the Creative Cities Network in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that recognise creativity as a significant factor of their development. The network recognises seven factors – craft and folk arts, media, film, design, gastronomy, literature, and music – as creative fields. VNS