For the first time, three famous veteran artists of Hanoi including painter Le Thiet Cuong, sculptor Dinh Cong Dat and writer Nguyen Viet Ha have jointly organized an exhibition called "Otherwise". Three faces, three personalities, three professions, three forms of expression of "old town people" have created masks through: street face, temple face, market face. But they all share a love for the place where they were born, grew up and still nurture them - Hanoi's old town.
Three artists of the exhibition "The Other Side" (from left to right): writer Nguyen Viet Ha, sculptor Dinh Cong Dat, painter Le Thiet Cuong
The exhibition "The Other Side" is not just about works of art but also a larger picture of the vibrancy and elegance of the Capital.
"The Other Side" displays more than 150 sculpted masks made from traditional materials such as ceramics, gold and papier-mâché, each work bearing the cultural imprint of Hanoi, revolving around the story: streets, pagodas, markets. These masks are shaped based on the faces of three artists by sculptor Dinh Cong Dat, expressing the common artistic language of all three.
Using classic texts, names of ancient streets or traditional patterns on masks are familiar techniques to convey messages, create deep connections and honor the ancient values of the city. Through the exhibition, they want to show that the sophistication and beauty of Hanoi will forever exist. Although pursuing their own artistic paths, all three share a deep love for Hanoi. That is what has united them for the past three decades.
Nguyen Viet Ha chose Mat Pho, from his love for Hanoi's alleys, the source of his endless inspiration in literature.
Le Thiet Cuong chose Mat Chua, stemming from his closeness to Buddhism – the faith
As for Dinh Cong Dat, he chose Mat Cho - a man who grew up among the markets of Hanoi.
The three artists are all "old town guys" who express their love for Hanoi through three different forms, but each one reflects many things: from urban heritage to beliefs, professions, architecture and cuisine.
From the mask, artist Le Thiet Cuong (near the pagoda - opposite Ly Quoc Su Pagoda) drew and wrote on it Buddhist scriptures, Zen poems of the Ly - Tran dynasties, some verses of Nguyen Du's scriptures, called "temple face". Originating from his closeness to Buddhism - the faith has deeply influenced his artistic style and personality with works imbued with Buddhist philosophy as well as tranquility in the midst of a bustling life.
Writer Nguyen Viet Ha expressed his favorite lines through "street faces": "As a resident of the old quarter, no one goes around Hoan Kiem Lake to confess their love", "The most delicious and unique Hanoi gifts are still street vendors"... To him, the masks depicted are not only faces but also pieces of life on the streets of Hanoi.
150 masks made by sculptor Dinh Cong Dat, the prototypes are the faces of three artists in this project.
Sculptor Dinh Cong Dat depicts the "market face" through color blocks, patterns and motifs from familiar streets, markets and dishes, telling stories, and street food that encapsulates the essence of Hanoi's Old Quarter: boiled snails, vermicelli with meatballs from Gao market, pig intestines from Gao market, sticky rice, chicken sticky rice from Bat Dan... The person who grew up in the middle of Hanoi's markets brings into his works the bustle of old markets, as a way to recall the familiar and chaotic atmosphere of the Old Quarter.
"The Other Side" brings to the audience the feeling through the synthesis of traditional methods and messages, where the three artists have created an exhibition in which each work honors the ancient values of Hanoi. For them, Hanoi is not only a place with beautiful landscapes and architecture but also a profound and multi-dimensional cultural world, containing values that cannot fade over time. This exhibition is a deep gratitude and vivid proof from the three artists that this city has nurtured them to grow up.
The masks are made from papier-mâché, ceramics and traditional patterns, street names, markets, prayers, inscriptions, etc.
The special thing about the exhibition "The Other Side" is that it not only shows the beauty of life through art but also conveys humanistic values and connects the community. Accordingly, all revenue from the sale of works during the exhibition will be donated by the three artists to share the difficulties and losses with their compatriots after Typhoon Yagi.
The exhibition "The Other Side" takes place from September 13 to October 11, 2024, at the Guangdong Assembly Hall, 22 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Hanoi is not only about streets and architecture, but also about the souls of the people who have lived and are living here.
The exhibition "The Other Side" takes place from September 13 to October 11, 2024
