Exhibition "Five Shapes 2" - Creation from traditional culture

Artist Truong Thinh introduces his works.

In the context of the ever-changing modern life, visual arts also reflect a wider and more diverse range of concerns. Along with the diverse transformations of society, the flow of traditional culture, which carries a love for nature and humanity, needs to be cherished and nurtured even more.

The exhibition "Ngu Hinh 2" marks the return of the Ngu Hinh group to the space of Tien Duong house, the special national relic of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam.

Regarding the idea of the exhibition name "Five Shapes", the representative of the group of authors said: In traditional Vietnamese culture, just as colors have five colors, sounds have five tones, cuisine has five flavors, and directions have five cardinal directions, so too does form in fine art have five shapes. "Five shapes" refers to five characteristic forms corresponding to each element: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each shape has its own characteristics and meaning. The name of the Five Shapes group defines its direction, drawing inspiration from the fundamental principles of form and traditional culture to develop and evolve.

This exhibition features 25 works in various genres and materials by artists Bui Hai Nam, Truong Thinh, Nguyen Duc Phuong, Pham Duy Quynh, and architect Tran Minh Tuan. The works express their feelings about nature, culture, and the people of Vietnam, showcasing familiar beauties that are sometimes forgotten in the fast-paced flow of modern life.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Ms. Nguyen Lien Huong, Deputy Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, said: “Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is a special cultural and historical space, a symbol of the nation's tradition of valuing learning and respecting teachers. In the new era of the country, we always strive to make Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam an open cultural space, where the essence of the past meets the creativity of the present. The exhibition “Five Forms 2”, where we experiment with new ways of expressing folk culture through the lens of visual arts, is one such activity.”

The exhibition will run from now until August 13, 2025.

Some pictures at the exhibition: