The soul of the city through the monuments

Ho Chi Minh City is the economic , cultural and artistic center of the Southern region, where many domestic and international cultural and artistic currents converge and gather many great talents. The birth and development of the artist team, cultural and artistic activities and exchanges... have long made Ho Chi Minh City a city with great influence on the whole country in terms of culture and art.

However, the issue of fine arts in urban landscape space in general and monuments in particular still has many shortcomings in the combination with architecture, sculpture, painting or applied art equipment...

We all know that monuments are a type of art that plays a very important role in the urban landscape space, both as a cultural and historical symbol and as a work of art that can shape space and convey emotions, ideological and aesthetic values; helping to recall history, famous people, important events, contributing to building identity and pride for the city.

Monuments create highlights and orient the space: monuments are often built in the center of cultural parks, large roundabouts, square spaces... to create important landmarks, helping to orient and identify the area for residents and tourists.

A well-planned, artistically valuable monument will create a focal point and highlight of a space, a symbol of the city, contributing to beautifying the landscape, enhancing the aesthetics of the city and bringing a rich spiritual life to the community.

Monuments are a form of art in a multidimensional space to mark history and honor culture: Monuments are built with the purpose of praising achievements, honoring and commemorating historical events, national heroes or people with great contributions, thereby helping to preserve memories and heritage for future generations.

Each monument can carry a unique symbolic image, reflecting the cultural, traditional or spiritual values of a nation or a city. Monuments not only recall the past but also represent the ideas, ideals and social values that are being honored in the present to influence the community's awareness to build and develop the homeland and country.

The space around the monument, when properly planned, will become a place for important cultural and historical events, social gatherings, exchanges, relaxation and interaction of the community and tourists. A suitable and high-quality monument system will contribute to creating a unique and distinctive appearance, commensurate with the city's status.

There are currently 50 monuments in public spaces in Ho Chi Minh City (9 before 1975, 41 after 1975), built mainly in historical sites in suburban wards and communes, or in museum premises... The monuments of the later period are mostly of good artistic quality, conveying historical, cultural and aesthetic ideas to the public and creating beautiful landscapes, creating highlights for urban public spaces.

Currently, the city leaders are planning to build a number of new projects: Reunification Monument in Thu Thiem ward, Southern Resistance Monument in 23-9 Park (Ben Thanh ward); Covid-19 Victim Memorial at land plot No. 1 Ly Thai To Street (Vuon Lai ward); expanding the cultural space at Ho Chi Minh Museum - Ho Chi Minh City branch - Ben Nha Rong area... The projects are expected to be very diverse with many topics such as: history, culture, praising feats, commemorating, paying tribute to famous people, national heroes..., with many sizes, genres, and materials.

The construction of new parks and monuments in Ho Chi Minh City not only aims to complete the urban landscape but also contributes to the cultural, historical and spiritual values of the community. These works will become aesthetic highlights, places for cultural activities, traditional education and connecting people with public spaces. Thereby, both ensuring the preservation of memories and honoring the past, and expressing the aspiration to rise up, towards a modern, civilized, rich in identity and humanity.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Tien , Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hon-pho-qua-nhung-tuong-dai-post821276.html