Unique "inverted" exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The exhibition "Upsidedownism 2024" by artist Nguyen Dai Giang and artist Tuan Dinh (Dinh Lee) officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the intersection between two generations of artists.

The exhibition features nearly 40 unique works created in oil and acrylic by artist Nguyen Dai Giang - the father of the upsidedownism art movement - and artist Tuan Dinh (Dinh Lee) - his outstanding student.

Upsidedownism is a unique creative style developed by artist Nguyen Dai Giang since the early 1990s. Upsidedownism is not simply about reversing images, but about inverting artistic thinking. Recalling his time in the US in 1995, artist Nguyen Dai Giang shared about his experience there, an environment full of exceptional talents. Living in a society where everyone had to ask themselves: "What must I do to be different?", he said, "I began searching for a new, different painting style, and from there developed the upside-down art style. By 1996-1997, I was granted copyright for this style. Upsidedown art depicts both sides – yin and yang, ugliness and beauty – reflecting the opposition in all things," artist Dai Giang shared.

Everything is viewed through a new lens, where the ordinary becomes strange, and the familiar suddenly becomes full of hidden meanings. In this way, each work of the Upsidedownism school becomes a "space" that forces viewers to change their way of seeing, thereby delving into the layers of meaning hidden within.

In these inverted paintings, the image is dramatically distorted: eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet are swapped; the outside becomes the inside, the top becomes the bottom. However, these changes do not erase the original essence; it remains the same person, it cannot be anyone else. "The fundamental principle of Upsidedownism is linked to the view that everything changes, and in that change, the beginning and the end can return to each other, similar and blended in an endless cycle. This is a perspective on the eternal movement of life and human consciousness, where things that seem static and stable can change to the point of being unrecognizable," shared artist Nguyen Dai Giang.

For young artist Tuan Dinh (Dinh Lee), upside-down art is a relentless journey of self-discovery and self-challenge. Having first encountered Upsidedownism in 2008, Dinh Lee was captivated by its ability to change the way we perceive the world . "I love this style because of its unique way of thinking, which has forced me to change a lot. When faced with difficulties, I'm never shocked, but always remain calm in every situation. Although some Vietnamese artists also pursue Upsidedownism, one must truly understand its philosophy to achieve artistic flourishing and development," Dinh shared.

With his "Art for Art's Sake" perspective, artist Tuan Dinh not only learns from his teacher but also creates and develops his own style, bringing a new perspective and expanding the possibilities of upside-down art to better suit the needs and expectations of today's viewers. His paintings show a clear transformation in lines, color usage, and form, with a more youthful and modern feel. Dinh further shared: "Choosing this innovative artistic path and being a student of the creator of Upsidedownism, I certainly face pressure. Especially when exhibiting the works of both teacher and student in the same space, there will inevitably be comparisons in skill and perspective between the works. But that is also the motivation for me to strive even harder to continue affirming the vitality and uniqueness of the Upsidedownism school in the future."

Reverse art is not an easy style to understand. It requires patience and an open heart to appreciate the subtlety in each brushstroke, each composition, and each arrangement. Sometimes, just a slight change in perspective can reveal new things, messages never before clearly expressed. And that is the power of reverse art – not just seeing, but understanding, a dialogue between the artist and the viewer, between mind and sight.

Ms. Thanh Hien (District 7) said she was extremely impressed with the freedom in each artwork. "The works in this exhibition are not simply paintings, but 'escapes' for the imagination, an opportunity for each person to find meaning in images that may be considered 'unconventional' but are very vivid and full of hidden meanings," Ms. Hien shared.

Combining two generations of talented artists, the V.Upsidedownism 2024 exhibition is a profound conversation between the past and the present, between two generations of artists, and most importantly, between art and the viewer. Taking place from December 14th to 22nd at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, District 1 (HCMC), the exhibition promises to deliver emotionally resonant artistic experiences, opening up fresh perspectives on the world around us.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/doc-dao-trien-lam-dao-nguoc-tai-tphcm-20241214185731378.htm