Catching up with the stock market action that has swept Việt Nam in recently, the Young Artist Club under the umbrella of the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association next Monday opens their annual exhibition, titled “Getting on the trading floor.”
Participating artist Vũ Hồng Nguyên says the show’s title references the growing importance of the stock market for urbanites in Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh City. But there’s more to it than that.
“It is not a particular floor like the stock market trading floor or a dance floor,” says Nguyên.
“It is about integration on a broad basis.”
“We the young artists are now exposed to a wider audience and to more judgements from critics.”
Nguyên said he believes artists in Việt Nam have never had such freedom when it comes to artists creativity.
“We now have enough painting materials, unlike a ganeration before us and are free to deal with our own artistic egos and stand out to face critical reviews.
“We are more responsible for our own work.”
“Those who think they are censored are pretentious.”
Nguyên, 31, the youngest artist to have had a solo exhibition at the revered Việt Nam Museum of Fine Arts, says artists of his generation could not complain about material scarcity or cultural censorship.
Their works are judged not only by harsh critics, but also by a wider audience, many of whom studied arts.
The exhibition features works by almost 30 young painters, who showcase some of their latest works in sculpture, video art, mixed media and installation. The event will launch new works by several young artists who have yet to have solo exhibitions.
Young painter and reporter Nguyễn Thu Thuỷ says that in today’s hectic world, which Việt Nam is joining, people are more interested in economic gains and losses, about property exchanging hands and stocks going up and down, rather than art.
“Art is nevertheless important for public,” she says.
“It is our message to the public that they need to talk about the arts too.”
Art critic Lương Xuân Đoàn says many of the works on display are experimental pieces by young graduates.
“I’m very glad to see new faces at this exhibition, which bring a vitality to the group,”
says Đoàn.
“Some of the young artists have established their tendency and style, yet many are still looking for their own path.”
The show also features experimental photographs by Lê Xuân Hưng Linh and oil paintings by Lê Minh Tân.
The exhibition runs until April 6 at 6 Ngô Quyền Street in Hà Nội.
Nguyễn Mỹ Hà reports.