Hue Fine Arts Students Discuss a Contemporary Work Associated with Heritage Story

Turning heritage into creative material

If for the people of Hue, heritage is often associated with moss-covered tiled roofs, the sound of temple bells or purple dresses on the Perfume River, then in the eyes of international artists, heritage appears in many surprising forms.

Professor Amrit Chusuwan from Thailand brought the work “Remaining Vitality”. He did not exploit great symbols but looked for seemingly small images in everyday memories. Under the lens of contemporary photography, those details suddenly became the underground stream of identity. For him, heritage is also a flow of memories, always changing and regenerating in new contexts. From that approach, viewers suddenly realize that mossy walls, old fans, and the silhouettes of passersby… can also become a form of “living heritage” when viewed with a creative eye.

Unlike the depth of Amrit, sculptor Keisuke Kawahara (Japan) chose the strength of the material. In the work “Intercultural Communication”, he combined plaster and metal, creating a hybrid creature that both arouses curiosity and provokes contemplation. The image of half elephant and half lion is a metaphor for cultural hybridity: Heritage is no longer limited to national borders, but can become a bridge for cultural dialogue. When this work is present in Hue, the land that used to be the center of East-West exchange, the message becomes even more open. Nguyen Thuy Duong, a second-year student at the University of Arts, Hue University, feels: “The work is like a message reminding us not to be afraid of innovation, let heritage step out of the familiar framework to live with the world ”.

Meanwhile, artist Kim Deuk Jin from Korea chose a simple yet powerful expression. With “Greetings for Peace ”, he used collage techniques from everyday materials such as newspapers, combined with acrylic to create a symbolic image. With such simplicity, he affirmed that heritage is not only in architecture or festivals, but also in universal spiritual values ​​such as the desire for peace. When placed in the context of Hue, a land that has experienced many historical changes but still retains a peaceful spirit, the work becomes a profound dialogue between international artists and local audiences.

Each artist has his own style and creative materials, but the common point is the way they turn heritage into creative materials, not repeating old stereotypes, but opening up new interpretations. In their eyes, Hue heritage is not closed in the past, but is a source of energy to ask questions about the present and create the future.

Preserving identity while integrating

What is special is that international artists have participated in real-life experiences associated with Hue heritage. They have had the opportunity to visit the Imperial City, walk around the mausoleums, sit by the Perfume River... and listen to stories from the living space of the heritage. Those experiences do not stop at observation, but are immediately transformed into sketches, paintings, and installation works.

It is this practice that has had a great impact on the Hue public, especially students - artists who use heritage as creative material. They have both admired the finished work and witnessed the process of international artists "dialogue" with heritage, transforming emotions into shapes and lines.

According to Dr. Vo Quang Phat, Vice Principal in charge of the University of Arts, this meeting has brought Hue fine arts a valuable opportunity: “International works not only help enrich the exhibition, but also help Hue students and artists learn how to look at heritage with a creative eye. From there, they can recreate, transform and give new messages. This is a necessary direction for Hue fine arts to both maintain its identity and integrate with the flow of contemporary art.”

“From those works, Hue’s public, especially young artists, have a new way of thinking: heritage is not a “display box”, but a source of energy for creativity. The citadel walls, tiled roofs, cultural memories… when entering the lens of international artists, suddenly become suggestions for new ways of storytelling. And that is the “new breath” that Hue receives: the boldness to experiment, daring to have a global dialogue but still rooted in its heritage land”, Dr. Vo Quang Phat shared.

The “new breath” from friends from all over the world, when meeting the rich foundation of Hue heritage, has opened up an exciting direction. That is the path for Hue fine arts to both affirm its identity and confidently enter the global contemporary art flow.

Taking place from September 22 to 24, the 2025 International Art Exhibition and Workshop is held at the University of Arts, Hue University, with academic exchange activities and creations of domestic and international artists. The exhibition space continues to be open to the public until mid-October, providing the opportunity to enjoy more than 80 creative works related to the theme of cultural heritage in contemporary art.

Article and photos: BACH CHAU

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/mang-hoi-tho-moi-den-hue-159283.html