See the story of Hai Phong

Highlights in the new space

Eight works of art were selected to be displayed in the most prominent locations of the City's Convention and Performance Center. Each work is a story about nature, people and history of Hai Phong .

At two symmetrical positions at the entrance to the Banquet Hall, the painting “Cat Ba Bay” by artist Phan Tuan recreates the beauty of the world natural heritage, with the blue color of the sea and the characteristic shape of the mountains. Artist Phan Tuan shared: “I want the painting to be both open and profound, so that when guests enter, they can immediately feel the breath of the sea and islands of their homeland”.

On the opposite side, the work “May Sunshine” by artist Nguyen Viet Anh brings viewers into the brilliant atmosphere of the Red Flamboyant Festival - a typical cultural brand of the city, with the red color of the sky blending with the image of people enjoying the festival. Artist Viet Anh confided: “The red color of the Flamboyant flowers is a common memory of Hai Phong people. I want to preserve that brilliance in the painting, as a warm greeting to friends from all over the world.”

In the center position behind the chair of the Banquet Hall, the painting “Sunset on Lan Ha Bay” by Associate Professor, People’s Teacher, painter Le Anh Van, former Principal of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, evokes the peaceful scene of Hon Rua as the sun sets. The orange-yellow color of the sunset embraces the blue waters, leaving in the viewer’s mind a Hai Phong that is both poetic and full of life. Above the main entrance to the banquet hall, the work “Bright Sea” by painter Dang Tien, former Chairman of the Hai Phong Fine Arts Association, depicts Hai Phong in its role as an industrial port city, but still retains the gentle, poetic features of the homeland sea.

The Center's round conference room is home to four paintings with diverse nuances. "Dawn on the sea" by "watercolor wizard" Bui Duy Khanh, Chairman of the Hai Phong Fine Arts Association, opens a moment of brilliant dawn at the "waves and winds", symbolizing vitality and the desire to reach the sea. "Dawn on the fields" by Doan Van Toi tells the story of the land reclamation, recalling the journey of building the Port city. And the pair of works "Brilliant day" by Dao Quoc Huy take viewers into the space of Hai Phong today - where traditional values blend with modern vitality. Each work is in harmony with the architectural space, both solemn and intimate.

Elaborate selection process

To obtain this impressive collection of works, the city carried out an elaborate selection process, with many steps of consultation and screening by experts. Following the direction of the City People's Committee, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Urban Development Project Management Board, consulted with the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, the Association of Architects and the Hai Phong Fine Arts Association, and at the same time developed the rules of the competition to create decorative works for the center.

The invited painters and sculptors are all prestigious figures who have worked on national-level projects such as the National Assembly, the National Convention Center, the Government Office, etc. or have works in museum collections at home and abroad. Among them are familiar names such as sculptors Nguyen Phu Cuong, Nguyen Hong Phong, Nguyen Truong Giang, Tran Van An, Vu Quang Sang; painters Dinh Quan, Le Anh Van, Dao Quoc Huy, Dang Tien, Phan Tuan, Bui Duy Khanh, etc.

By July 2024, the Organizing Committee received 23 sculpture sketches and 42 painting sketches. The Art Council gathered leading experts, such as: Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Tuan Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism); painter Luong Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association; painter Hoang Duc Toan, former Director of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition; Master Doan Van Bang, Head of the Sculpture Department of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts; Master, painter Nguyen Viet Anh, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong Fine Arts Association... to evaluate and select typical options.

The selection process not only includes expert evaluation, but also includes a step of collecting public opinions. From late January to mid-February 2025, the works will be displayed at the Information, Exhibition and Cinema Center, and an online voting portal will be opened. More than 200 opinions were recorded, reflecting the interest and pride of the people in the works and artworks associated with the image of their homeland.

On that basis, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to work directly with the authors to edit and complete the work, ensuring it is suitable for the exhibition space and general aesthetic requirements. By March 17, 2025, all official sketches will be handed over to the Project Management Board for implementation and completion on schedule in June 2025.

The City Convention and Performance Center in the North Cam River urban area, when completed, will not only be a place for important political, economic, cultural and social events, but will also become an “open museum” of contemporary art associated with Hai Phong’s identity. The paintings and sculptures here will continue to “tell” the story of a Port City that is both vibrant and modern, yet rich in history and culture – a story written with the colors, lines and emotions of talented artists.

“We want this space to be both solemn and modern, while also carrying the breath of Hai Phong land and people. This will be a cultural highlight, contributing to spreading the city’s image to the region and internationally,” said Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Thi Hoang Mai.

SEA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/xem-tranh-ke-chuyen-hai-phong-518717.html