The flow of history through the exhibition "Magnetism of the Four Sacred Animals"

Nguyen Thanh Vu, born in 1995, graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture and has a great passion for painting, especially oil painting. He believes that painting is also culture and accurately reflects the nature of the times. Following the Post-Impressionist style, the artist hopes to convey strength, vitality, enthusiasm, as well as youthfulness and peace through his works.

"The Four Sacred Animals" is a collection of paintings showcasing the mythical creatures in Vietnamese historical and cultural context, focusing on four representative dynasties: Ly, Tran, Later Le, and Nguyen. Beginning with the formation of independent Vietnamese art – the Ly Dynasty, through political interactions, cultural assimilation, and intellectual exchange with Champa art, up to the final feudal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty; these mythical creatures began to appear, perfected aesthetically, visible in architecture and sculpture, and becoming an integral part of Vietnamese life, religion, and beliefs.

Magnetism represents a gentle, modest, discreet, and approachable nature, stemming from ancestor worship and the adoption of Buddhism and Confucianism.

Besides the four mythical creatures – Dragon,麒麟 (Kirin), Turtle, and Phoenix – Vietnamese culture and beliefs also feature many other sacred animals, including those close to humans, such as dogs, horses, cats, buffaloes, and elephants. This will be an opportunity for people to learn more about the stories, legends, and ancient beliefs that have shaped the Vietnamese people's faith and are still preserved today.

Nguyen Thanh Vu spent over a year researching numerous documents and conducting field surveys, for example, visiting historical sites in Hue to understand the culture and art of the Nguyen dynasty, or Thang Long Imperial Citadel to learn about the mythical creatures of the Ly and Tran dynasties… He also traveled to Cambodia and Thailand to learn about the culture of the Cham people in various regions. Reading documents alone wasn't enough; the author went to the sites to touch, examine the details, and observe the marks of time. Knowing the object before him, combined with the location and the passage of time… the emotions evoked were indescribable.

"It's no longer just about aesthetic beauty, but also about the imprint of the era, of events, of historical witnesses, and simultaneously, the feeling of admiration for the skill and achievements of our ancestors… or the story of how these structures have survived to this day and that we have the opportunity to admire them… Absorbing knowledge and adding more experience and emotions, that's how I created the look for this collection over the next year," Nguyen Thanh Vu shared.

History is a stream encompassing official histories (official accounts), legends (mysterious and spiritual stories), and folklore (stories passed down through generations). Each dynasty has its own flow, and through each mythical creature, one might glimpse the reigning dynasties; similarly, through each painting, one might gain a new and interesting insight from our ancestors.

Through the "Four Mythical Creatures" collection, Nguyen Thanh Vu conveys the message: "Vietnam has a rich cultural and historical foundation, and this collection of mythical creatures is also part of that treasure. The Egyptians painted what they knew existed, their paintings focused on identifying features of the objects depicted; the Greeks painted what they saw; medieval artists painted what they felt..."

Contemporary art synthesizes the above aspects of our ancestors while expanding upon them further. This collection also follows the flow of the times, partly to allow people to identify and name the mythical creatures in Vietnamese culture and history, and partly to convey the vibrant energy and sacredness through the imagery, stories, and meanings that these creatures represent."

The "Magnetic Four Mythical Creatures" collection exhibition will take place from March 1st to March 10th, 2024 at The World Artspace, 21 Vo Truong Toan Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai