Exhibition Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-E woodblock prints

Participating in the exhibition are 34 authors who are young artists who have studied and are currently studying at the Faculty of Painting of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. With 38 visual works reflecting the unique features in the cultural life of Vietnamese people, both familiar and new, expressed through a contemporary perspective.

The exhibition is the creations of young artists inspired by the study and research of the quintessential elements of Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints combined with the quintessential values of traditional Vietnamese art materials such as silk, lacquer, dó paper, giang paper, etc.

The exhibition aims to promote the beauty and uniqueness of traditional Vietnamese art materials to a wide range of traditional art lovers, especially the young generation and international tourists. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to introduce to the public cultural products crystallized from the process of discovering traditional art values through cross-cultural and international dialogues.

Dialogue with Japanese wooden painting Ukiyo-e picture 1 — Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, spoke at the event.

Speaking at the exhibition, Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, commented: "Each painting at today's exhibition has a dialogue, a dialogue between two cultures, a dialogue related to both content, expression and materials, creating a very deep connection between Vietnamese culture and Japanese culture. Through that, we have an opportunity to promote the values of Vietnamese culture to international friends. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to introduce the cultural values of the world in the cultural space of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam".

"We were especially moved when witnessing many images of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam from the paintings of artists, from Khue Van Cac, the architectural works as well as the unique motifs. At the same time, we also saw very special paintings related to the Imperial Concubine Y Lan, which were extremely impressive and unique...", Mr. Le Xuan Kieu emphasized.

Also at the exhibition, Master Nguyen The Son - Curator of the Exhibition said: "Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints" is the result of the tireless efforts of young artists in the journey of promoting art practice, inspired by the traditional cultural and artistic values of Vietnam as well as other cultures.

The practice of “traditional creativity” is also the driving force for personal creations, contributing to motivating today’s young generation in general and young artists in particular to continue learning and inheriting the quintessence of traditional art, thereby having more motivation and inspiration to nurture their passion for artistic creation.”

The exhibition takes place from January 23 to March 12, 2024 at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam historical site, Hanoi.

Some pictures at the exhibition: