Proud brushstrokes
Phong Dinh is one of 20 artists participating in the creation of a mural titled "Military Parade Celebrating 50 Years of National Reunification," measuring 300 meters in length and 6 meters in height. The mural aims to recreate the heroic and solemn atmosphere of the military parade and procession held on April 30th in Ho Chi Minh City. The artwork opens with an image of planes taking off from Bien Hoa Airport and concludes with a dazzling fireworks display at Bach Dang Wharf, symbolizing joy, peace , and hope. Started in mid-June, the artwork is scheduled to be completed before the August 19th and September 2nd National Day celebrations this year.
According to Le Tuan Minh Vien, the project team leader, preparing for the mural, which covers an area of up to 1,800 square meters , required a significant amount of time selecting images and developing suitable ideas. All images were used with the permission of the original authors, and the team edited them, adding or removing details to fit the space and overall aesthetic. Before construction began, a design layout was created on a computer before being applied to the wall. To complete this special artwork, the team of artists divided into shifts of 6-10 people, working continuously from 8 am to 6 pm. In the vibrant space on the bustling street, portraits and landscapes are gradually coming to life under the hands of these young artists. Each person was assigned different tasks according to their strengths: Phong Dinh specialized in portraits, while Nguyen Cong Danh handled perspective drawing and coloring. Although each person was responsible for a specific part, the group always supported each other, maintaining a unified overall picture.
Artists are diligently working on murals along Nguyen Huu Canh Street.
Due to its outdoor nature, construction faced numerous difficulties and disruptions caused by weather. To address the issue of heat, each scaffolding structure was covered with tarpaulin. Furthermore, painting murals on the walls was not simple, as the walls had many uneven, bumpy, and varying heights. To maintain the overall composition, the painter had to flexibly adjust the proportions, especially for portraits, otherwise the images could easily be distorted or have faces cut off when viewed from a distance.
A "shield" against graffiti.
Before this artwork was completed, the walls were covered in graffiti of all colors and sizes. The team had to clean it by applying a layer of white paint before proceeding with the mural. In reality, graffiti is still common in Ho Chi Minh City. In public places, from under bridges, bus stations, bus shelters, power stations, construction sites… to rolling doors and house walls, graffiti is everywhere. Although there are penalties for graffiti, before the old graffiti can be removed, new graffiti appears. A positive sign is that the appearance of murals will help to curb the rampant graffiti. Minh Vien said that it's quite fortunate that most of the works he and his colleagues have created have been preserved and not vandalized. "Perhaps it's because people respect the artwork, or they find the space beautiful and are hesitant to vandalize it," he expressed.
Murals are increasingly appearing on city streets, adding vibrant splashes of color to urban life and reflecting a positive shift in community awareness and behavior. According to Minh Vien, while murals were previously only seen in cafes and shops, with purely decorative designs, Ho Chi Minh City has recently seen more large-scale mural projects in public spaces. A notable example is the mural project themed "Beautiful Vietnam," a collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, and various design and construction units, spanning nearly two years. The artwork currently being worked on by Minh Vien's team on Nguyen Huu Canh Street is the 20th such project.
Also along this road, at the intersection with Ton Duc Thang Street, there is a mural approximately 100 meters long vividly depicting famous landmarks of the country such as Ha Long Bay, Ganh Da Dia (Disk Rock Beach), Ha Giang Stone Plateau, Dragon Bridge, Hoi An Ancient Town… More encouragingly, from being created spontaneously, the team now consists of professionals who have received formal training, significantly improving the quality of the artwork. According to Minh Vien, to implement large-scale and community-oriented projects, a professional team is key to ensuring the painting is not only beautiful and durable but also harmonizes with the overall space of the city. For artist Phong Dinh, the value of the mural lies not only in the vibrant wall space. "We want to bring beautiful images of our homeland, so that locals and international tourists can feel it. When a wall is adorned with a beautiful and meaningful artwork, people will be more hesitant to put random brushstrokes on it," he shared.
Walking around Ho Chi Minh City, it's easy to spot murals everywhere. Apartment building 1A-1B on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, the old villa at 48 Mai Thi Luu Street… were once popular check-in spots for mural enthusiasts due to their eye-catching images and unique scenes. More recently, alleyway 730 on Le Duc Tho Street (An Hoi Dong Ward) has also become a cultural hub with murals depicting local cultural landmarks such as Phu Chau Temple, Sac Tu Truong Tho Pagoda, Hanh Thong Tay Church… or famous tourist destinations: Ben Thanh Market, Hue Imperial City, Hanoi Turtle Tower…
VAN TUAN
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hoa-sac-cho-pho-post807648.html
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