The highs and lows of ceramics

Music is essentially rhythms born from everyday life. These pure, natural sounds—sometimes just the rustling of falling leaves, the babbling of flowing water, or the whistling of the wind—were weaving together melodies that were both familiar and sublime.

From that original source, the Dan Do group of artists, with 12 years of experience, has found its own path in contemporary music. In "GOm Show - Sounds from Ceramics," familiar objects are transformed into musical instruments, taking the audience to a unique art project - where earth, water, fire, and people sing together in magical melodies.

A symphony forged from earth, water, and fire.

From the three official members of the Dan Do group: Mr. Dinh Anh Tuan, who manages and directs the group's activities; Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh, who directs the musical expertise; and Mr. Nguyen Quang Su, who specializes in researching and crafting musical instruments, after years of persistent exploration and creativity, they have trained a generation of young artists who continue the love for indigenous music. “We want to explore the sounds in the simplest things. I hope the audience will be moved by the sounds that pottery brings,” artist Dinh Anh Tuan expressed.

Pottery, a material that seems dry and static, comes alive through the hands and souls of artists, "knowing" to sing, "knowing" to tell stories, "knowing" to express emotions. In the "GOm Show," each jar, pot, gong, bell, etc., is given a new "coat."

Ordinary items found in Vietnamese kitchens or yards have now become unique musical instruments, imbued with the essence of the land and the spirit of folk culture. For example, the earthenware drum, created on the principle of resonance from earthenware jars, uses a vibrating membrane made from a motorcycle tire inner tube to produce a deep, resonant sound like a giant bass guitar.

With its warm, gentle sound, the earthenware pot instrument is crafted from a traditional rice cooking pot, its surface stretched with a layer of buffalo hide to create a vibrating membrane, and strings connected to a bamboo neck. Alternatively, the rotating pottery instrument is a musical instrument that operates by rotating the rim of the pot, creating a soft, resonant effect.

The sound of each instrument is unique, much like the voice of each person, yet they all draw the audience into a new world of sound, like the warm breath of Mother Earth.

Within the orchestra, artist Nguyen Quang Su is considered the "soul" of the instruments. He is primarily responsible for researching, crafting, and testing hundreds of instrument models from various materials. He is also the one who has repeatedly had to discard products that did not meet quality standards.

“I was looking for sound, not pottery,” he confided. “I’ve visited many pottery villages in our country, but I know that a musical instrument that meets my criteria must prioritize durability first. Therefore, I often ask the seller about the firing time and temperature of the pottery. These handcrafted musical instruments are all molded by hand, so the durability of the item is especially judged during the firing process.”

Such dedication and passion for each of his "creative works" is not only the personal sentiment of artist Quang Sự but also the shared spirit of every artist participating in "GOm Show".

Therefore, it can be said that the eight performances, presented continuously over one hour by ten young artists on stage and supported by the entire team behind the scenes, are not simply works of art, but also a message of honoring and reviving Vietnamese indigenous culture in everyday life.

A new form for a familiar sound.

The older and younger generations of the Dan Do group have always remained true to the philosophy of "taking culture as the root, taking people as the energy." This philosophy is reflected not only in their musical material but also in their way of life, work, and creation. For them, music is not just for listening, but a way of interacting with nature, a way of showing respect for people and local culture.

Therefore, with performances throughout the program such as "Returning Home," "That Time," "Downstream," "Finding Hani," etc., the audience has the opportunity to journey through indigenous cultural regions such as Northwest Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and South Central Vietnam, with the unique voices of the M'nong, Ede, Ha Nhi, and Lo Lo ethnic groups. The sounds, sometimes gentle and leisurely, sometimes fast-paced and joyful, take viewers from one surprise to another, stimulating their senses and imagination.

According to artist Nguyen Duc Minh, the audience's different emotional states are guided by the diverse nuances and rhythmic adjustments in the program. This is how he and his colleagues arrange the sound and light to blend together, carefully observing every specific movement of the musical instruments.

Young artist Nguyen Tra Giang, despite having been involved with "GOm Show" for over a year, revealed that her heart still sometimes skips a beat when performing on stage. For her, this new world of sound is truly enchanting, raw and unadulterated yet profoundly moving…

“Sometimes, I get so engrossed in the sounds I’m creating that my hands and feet tremble, to the point where I play out of rhythm (laughs). At that moment, my soul is in harmony with the music, and then my imagination continues to reflect the image of the lives of working people in the past: carefully kneading and shaping pottery in the kiln to carrying jars and pots onto boats for trade… Life just goes on steadily like that,” the female artist expressed.

It's no surprise that each instrument in the "GOm Show" is a "rare find," crafted in a novel way, resulting in truly unique and one-of-a-kind sounds. For Tra Giang, some instruments weren't made exactly to her liking, but their tones captivated her from the very first notes.

In each performance, by being able to choose and change instruments for each piece, the artists have the opportunity to "reinvent" and challenge themselves. Therefore, the audience gains an additional chance to appreciate music from artists who dedicate their hearts to their local music.

For young male artist Tran Quoc Thinh, initially, practicing with a new instrument was a constant struggle. “But recently, I and the zither have come to understand each other better. The instrument is like a horse that has been almost tamed. The more I participate in the “GOm Show,” the more I feel I learn and understand, even the differences in the diverse ethnic cultures of Vietnam, such as the musical notation system of the Cham people, the rhythmic thinking of the Ede people…”

He added: “Being able to ‘touch’ the musical colors of other ethnic groups in Vietnam, to be exposed to their musical systems, I feel that these differences are not too far removed from the musical system that the general public uses. Vietnamese culture is inherently multi-ethnic with 54 ethnic groups. Therefore, cultural barriers between ethnic groups should be overcome, and cultural differences should be celebrated.”

At the "GOm Show," not only are fragments of past memories given wings and healed by music, but cultural diversity is also remembered and promoted.

In each segment—morning, evening, and evening—the audience is captivated by the beautiful sounds and unconsciously smiles at the cleverly conveyed message of the local music.

In the final act, as the last note faded, the lights came on, and the audience's thunderous applause was like a tribute to the efforts of those with pure hearts dedicated to Vietnamese culture, especially the culture of ethnic minorities.

Ninh Linh - Photo: Dan Do