HÀ NỘI — Mixed media sculptures of various materials and dimensions are on display by emerging artists based in Hà Nội and HCM City.

Entitled "Hà Nội–Sài Gòn", the exhibition brings together 28 sculptors and 56 of their works, the biggest such display since the project was launched in 2010.

The sculpture series Hà Nội–Sài Gòn (or Sài Gòn-Hà Nội, based on the exhibition venue) takes place every two years, alternating between the two cities.

Besides introducing the newest or never-displayed artworks, the exhibition enables sculptors to share opportunities and career directions, promote their creations and discover new faces on the country’s growing sculpture scene.

The initiative was meant to build up and develop a new community spirit in sculpture as well as to bring the medium closer to the public.

Therefore, in addition to the exhibitions in the two cities, the group also displays works in spaces more accessible to young people, especially those studying or working in the field of culture and arts.

The sculptors at this year’s exhibition span several generations: some were born in the 1940s, like Ca Lê Thắng and in the 1950s like Đào Châu Hải, while others were born in the 1970s, like Khổng Đỗ Tuyền and Lê Lạng Lương, and even at the end of 1980s, like Thái  Nhật Minh.

This, together with the difference characteristics of the artists and their works provides the public with richness and diversity in creative trends and attitudes, remarked Vũ Huy Thông of the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts Research Institute

It is the first time the exhibition welcomes a young Vietnamese artist studying and living in the US, Lê Hoài Nam, 30. He had his first ever solo exhibition in Hà Nội in 2011.

The diversity in dimension and materials, such as wood, welded iron, stainless steel, bronze and mixed media will help the public see the qualifications, professional courage and aesthetic experiences of each sculptor and of contemporary Vietnamese sculpture. 

“The artists presented in this exhibition are representatives of Vietnamese sculpture in  recent years,” said Thông.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, a talk on "Sculpture with Space and Architecture" was held yesterday, moderated by art researcher Thông.

Đào Thị Hải, a third-year student at Hà Nội Architectural University, finds the exhibition and the talk useful for her studies.

“Through the exhibition, I have a chance to contemplate many artworks created with different materials and styles,” she said. “Many of them are in a medium and small size suitable for interior decoration.”

Hải said the work Đêm (The Night) by Nguyễn Duy Mạnh is the most impressive.

“Though I don’t think I really understand the artist’s philosophy, I still like this artwork. I feel the loneliness of a person who tries to solve his/her own problem but actually spreads a net surrounding him/herself.”

The exhibition will run until December 22 at Hà Nội Architecture University, Nguyễn Trãi Street, Hà Nội. — VNS