Display 'Otherwise': A portrayal of Hanoi as a living cultural organism

The exhibition Otherwise by three leading artists in the fields of painting, literature and sculpture has opened at the Center for Culture and Arts 22 Hang Buom, Hanoi.

Painter Le Thiet Cuong, writer Nguyen Viet Ha and sculptor Dinh Cong Dat presented 150 sculptural masks made of ceramic and papier-mâché to the public.

The exhibition features masks made from the artists' faces. Photo: Thuan Thu/The Hanoi Times

According to the artists, after three decades of close friendship, they felt the need to do something together. With each having their own success in literature and art, choosing a theme to stand on together is both easy and difficult.

They have chosen to use traditional elements and familiar techniques in their works. Writing classical phrases, old street names, or traditional patterns on masks, from papier-mâché to ceramics and even gold, has created a deep connection and honored the ancient values of Hanoi.

Writer Nguyen Viet Ha chose Mat Pho (Face of the Streets) as the theme of his work because of his love for the streets of Hanoi, which are an endless source of inspiration for his literature. For him, masks are not only faces but also pieces of life in the streets of Hanoi.

The painter Le Thiet Cuong chose Mat Chua (Faces of Pagodas) as a natural choice because of his attachment to Buddhism, which has greatly inspired both his artistic style and personality. His works are imbued with both peace amidst the hustle and bustle of life and Buddhist philosophy.

(From left) Writer Nguyen Viet Ha, sculptor Dinh Cong Dat, and painter Le Thiet Cuong at the opening of the exhibition. Photo: Thuan Thu/The Hanoi Times

Sculptor Dinh Cong Dat grew up in Hanoi's markets and has incorporated the hustle and bustle of the old markets into his work. He named his series Mat Cho (Faces of Markets) to allude to both the unique qualities of the old and the familiar atmosphere of the old city.

Artist Le Thiet Cuong pointed out that Hanoi is more than just a physical metropolis; it is also home to intangible cultural heritage - values that stand the test of time. Hanoi is also a living cultural entity. The essence of Hanoi is not in the physical works or tangible assets, but in the intangible cultural heritage that people here always cherish and preserve.

The artists decided to donate all the proceeds from the sale of their works to help people in the northern provinces cope with the severe consequences of natural disasters.

According to sculptor Dinh Cong Dat, when the idea of using their own faces as masks for the exhibition was first conceived, the three artists thought it was just for fun, to have more memories together. But then natural disasters struck, causing floods and landslides in many northern provinces.

"Over the past few days, we have seen so much pain and loss of people in the northern mountain provinces through the mass media. It was heartbreaking. And then we decided that this art project was no longer just for fun. It had to be a concrete activity to join hands with the whole community to overcome the difficulties and losses suffered by the people in the flood-hit areas," said sculptor Dinh Cong Dat.

The exhibition is open until October 11 at the Center for Culture and Arts 22 Hang Buom Street, Hanoi.

Exhibition Otherwise. Photo: Thuan Thu/The Hanoi Times