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On September 10th, two exhibitions, "Prolonged Dreams" and "Inside the City," officially opened at the Vincom Contemporary Art Center (VCCA), showcasing 21 outstanding paintings by artists Bui Quoc Khanh and Doan Xuan Tung, two of the notable figures of the 8X generation in Vietnamese art. These two independent, parallel exhibitions are part of the "VCCA 2019 Nurturing Young Vietnamese Artists" program, which supports and accompanies young Vietnamese artists.
Exhibition "The long-lasting dreams" This exhibition introduces the latest works of artist Bui Quoc Khanh to the public. Bui Quoc Khanh's paintings utilize a visual language in the style of Pop-art and graphic art, creating a vibrant and colorful space. Bold and powerful colors overlap, densely packed with metaphorical images of popular culture from ancient times to the present, from East to West. The motifs and images of royalty, ostentation, and materialism are arranged in an abundance, showcasing the artist's satirical and humorous perspective on contemporary society.
The impressive artwork "School Arena" by artist Bui Quoc Khanh
These are artist Bui Quoc Khanh's personal reflections on the persistent and overlapping problems and social ills in Vietnamese society. "All of these things combine to form a dream that lasts forever, with no end in sight," he shared.
Alongside "Prolonged Dreams" is artist Doan Xuan Tung's first solo exhibition titled "Inside the City." The exhibition features 12 works in acrylic and newspaper collage on canvas.
The artwork "High Point" by artist Doan Xuan Tung is created using acrylics and newspaper clippings on canvas.
The series focuses on two main themes: on the one hand, it depicts the daily struggles of migrant workers; on the other, it portrays the lives of the newly emerging middle class – enjoying the amenities of new residential areas, creating two contrasting yet inseparable aspects of urban life. Notably, the use of newspaper as a medium is intentionally incorporated into the 12 paintings, ensuring both the aesthetic appeal of the artwork and reflecting the artist's concern for current events.
Taking place simultaneously at VCCA, the two exhibitions "Inside the City" by Doan Xuan Tung and "Prolonged Dreams" by Bui Quoc Khanh present an interesting dialogue between two artistic personalities who, despite their differences, share a common approach to exploring the expressive language of Pop art and a concern for contemporary social issues.
Furthermore, VCCA's unique architectural space is subtly designed to create visual highlights for viewers. Audiences can enjoy large, vibrant paintings from an ideal distance, while the natural light from VCCA's skylights illuminating the painting surfaces creates impressive interactions.
Additional information
Exhibitions: "Long-lasting Dreams" and "Inside the City"
Opening hours: Open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, from September 10, 2019 to October 16, 2019 (Monday to Sunday).
Location: Vincom Contemporary Art Center (VCCA), B1-R3, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, 72A Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
