The book " Hue - Half a Century of Photography (1975-2025)"

This 130-page book presents 204 works by 58 authors, representing both the culmination and a comprehensive portrait of Hue photography over half a century, with all its depth and diversity. Turning each page, we encounter names that once shaped Hue's photographic art, such as Nguyen Khoa Loi, Vo Viet Duc, Hong Sau, Le Dinh Lien…; the transitional generation including Pham Ba Thinh, Pham Van Ty, Vo Dong Bay, Nguyen Dang Hanh, Dang Van Tran, Vinh Huong, Huynh Man, Phan Phung, Ho Ngoc Son…; and the vibrant younger generation such as Truong Vinh, Ngo Thanh Minh, Le Nhat Quang, Cao Nguyen Xuan Dat, Le Dinh Hoang…

For the past half-century, since the reunification of Vietnam, Hue photography has accompanied the city and the nation's transformations. The Hue photography community has grown increasingly large, strong, and established itself on the national photography map. They are proud to be descendants of Dang Huy Tru – the founder of Vietnamese photography – and from there, they continue the tradition, building a strong, creative, and cohesive group. Each member of the Hue City Photography Association is a heart beating in unison, traveling far and wide, from the imperial city and heritage architecture to villages, streams, mountains, the sea, and festivals… Their lenses have truly become vibrant perspectives of Hue, and their works are proof of a persistent and passionate creative spirit. The art of light created by these artists is the light of Hue's memories and aspirations for the future.

The photographs in this book both celebrate the beauty of nature and people, and record the milestones of change and development. Photography, by its very nature, is not only about preserving beauty but also about inspiring awareness of protecting it. Hue's photographers are always aware that each photograph is a message, a way for the world to know how beautiful Hue and Vietnam are, and also a resonance with the current process of construction and renewal.

Viewers can rediscover images from half a century ago through beautifully captured perspectives, such as: scenes of young shepherds riding buffaloes and playing (Childhood, Vo Viet Duc), farmers using buckets to irrigate fields (Irrigating the fields, Nguyen Khoa Loi), images of the old Hue boat villages (Boats along the river, Vo Viet Duc), a wedding procession on a rustic and heartfelt village road, rich in the cultural identity of old Hue (Wedding season, Le Dinh Lien)... Contemporary and developing Hue is captured through many photographs showcasing Hue's traditional crafts, the Hue Festival, Hue folk festivals, Hue transportation, and some images of Hue's industry...

In the book's introduction, critic Ho The Ha remarked: "This is a wandering journey to discover the wondrous beauty of nature and the cultural landscape of Hue. Along this journey, the artist is able to feel and capture moments of spiritual and artistic enlightenment, creating luminous, ethereal works that reflect the light of both the unconscious and the subconscious." This assessment serves as proof of the spiritual value this book offers.

This book reveals the core issues of Hue photography: the continuity of generations; the diversity of subjects, the flexibility in technique, composition, and lighting; the creativity in genre; the coexistence of color and black-and-white photography; and above all, the uniqueness in poetics and style. All of these elements create a half-century-long image of Hue photography that is both traditional and modern, both local and global. Therefore, the anthology "Hue - Half a Century of Photography (1975 - 2025)" integrates engaging content and artistry, fulfilling the expectations of both the authors and the viewers.

Dang Ngoc Nguyen

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/hue-nua-the-ky-nhiep-anh-anh-sang-cua-ky-uc-va-khat-vong-159077.html