New explorations in art
“Inspired by traditional art forms such as tuong, cheo, chau van, xuan pha folk performance, hau dong…, the work is a combination of tradition and modernity, between indigenous beliefs and contemporary art, creating a unique experience”, Hoang Anh said about his project and his colleagues. Ma: Duong ve vo vo is a collaborative project between Len Ngan (a multilingual cultural and artistic platform) and the Vietnam Tuong Theater, with the goal of connecting young artists with the public through multidisciplinary theater, exploiting inspiration from traditional Vietnamese theater.
The work combines dance, music , drama and visual arts in a non-linear narrative structure, aiming at creative innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and deepening the understanding of body language in traditional theatrical arts. Modern music such as: experimental contemporary music, Jazz, Techno, Trap and House are also combined, creating a rich experimental mix.
Unlike traditional theater with linear structure, Code: The Road to Nothingness explores a multidimensional creative space through the form of multidisciplinary theater. Audio-visual-motion-technology elements are intentionally interwoven, creating expressive depth and an immersive experience for the audience. Viewers do not just observe but become a part of the play - feeling, thinking and discovering new dimensions of imagination.
Symbolic movements and images, together with traditional art forms, appear and emerge through dialogue with Western materials. These are the folk and lyrical qualities of Cheo; the solemnity and heroic tragedy of Tuong; the softness, depth and sacredness of Chau Van. All have become rich sources of inspiration for the creation of a new artistic language in the project.
Diverse experiences
Code: The Road to Nothingness is one of the efforts of domestic artists today to bring to the audience practical experiences and deep understanding of contemporary art and traditional Vietnamese theater. According to Hoang Anh, in addition to the goal of suggesting new approaches to cultural heritage, the project also contributes to building a foundation for interdisciplinary learning, research and practice for young artists, promoting creativity in performing arts. Data from the practice process will be transferred to the community of young artists participating in the project.
The team also hopes to create conditions for folk artisans and local artists to share knowledge and inspire the next generation through intergenerational exchanges. “We encourage learning and interaction, so that young artists can access rich sources of indigenous knowledge,” Hoang Anh shared. To realize the goal, the team has implemented many diverse activities. In early May, the group conducted a field trip with the theme “Phu” at Nha Tien Huong (Phu Cat, Quoc Oai, Hanoi ), taking the audience to explore Vietnamese identity through the Four Palaces belief with the medium Hien Nguyen.
In mid-May, the group organized an open workshop - an open rehearsal, aiming to bring the public closer to an open creative space, overcoming prejudices between tradition and modernity, reflecting the East-West fusion. At the end of May, the talk show Journey of Nostalgia with the participation of Meritorious Artist Xuan Dieu, choreographer Nguyen Duy Thanh, director Ha Nguyen Long and medium Hien Nguyen opened a creative space to listen, learn and understand how the previous generation expressed themselves through performance, dance and traditional arts.
Despite receiving support from multidisciplinary artists, the public and some cultural institutions, the project still faced many difficulties from the beginning, not only in terms of budget. The biggest challenge was to convincingly convey the spirit of rituals and folk beliefs into contemporary theater, honoring indigenous culture. Combining diverse art forms also requires sophistication and deep understanding to avoid disjointedness and superficiality. “We expect the project to become the nucleus of spreading creative art practices from heritage materials, especially the potential of traditional theater, contributing to promoting sustainable development with a contemporary approach,” Hoang Anh shared.
The play Ma: The Road to Nothingness consists of three chapters: Entry, Exit, and Nothingness. After being premiered to Hanoi audiences at the end of May, the play is expected to continue to be performed in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 and premiered to international audiences in 2026.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/truyen-thong-va-hien-dai-tren-san-khau-da-nganh-post798692.html
Comment (0)