Echoes of Earth: “GOm Show - Sound from Pottery”

THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi  Opera House will this month host the "GOm Show – Sound from Pottery," a contemporary music performance deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition.

Set for the evenings of June 28 and 29, the show will take the Hanoi audience on a poetic journey into the resonance of the earth, with music drawn from pottery and everyday objects reimagined as instruments of art. 

Conceived and directed by the renowned local arts collective Dan Do, the GOm Show is an evocative fusion of folk heritage and contemporary expression. At its heart lies the striking concept of transforming humble, everyday items such as earthenware jars and clay pots into instruments capable of producing complex and hauntingly beautiful sounds.

The ensemble has created a distinctive sonic experience using instruments entirely handmade from natural materials. Among them are the Trong Chum, or jar drums, crafted from ceramic jars and rubber tubes that produce deep, resonant bass tones evoking the primal rhythms of the earth.

Trong Lang, or Lang drums, formed in the shape of a traditional Vietnamese rice cake, which produce a grounded warmth; and Chieng Sanh and Chuong Sanh, or ceramic gongs and bells, which emit a unique timbre born from kiln-fired clay. Rotating ceramic vessels and clay pots lend a soft, reverberant texture, completing this remarkable orchestration of natural elements.

The performance will feature original compositions such as Quay Ve (Return), Thoi Do (The Crimson Era), Xuoi Dong (Downstream), and Tim Hani (Finding Hani). These pieces offer audiences a glimpse into the cultural landscapes of Vietnam's ethnic communities, including the M'nong, Tay, Lo Lo, Nung Din, and E De peoples.

Nguyen Duc Minh, a member of Dan Do, said: “Indigenous music is the soul of our show. The instruments we use are crafted in the most elemental way, from soil, bamboo, and water. The result is a sound that feels deeply rooted, primal yet powerful.”

"There is something both intimate and otherworldly about these sounds. They awaken strong emotions, connecting us to our cultural origins. It’s heartening to see young people responding with such enthusiasm. It assures us that we’re on a meaningful path,” he added.

Founded over 12 years ago, the Dan Do group has long pursued a creative path defined by authenticity and innovation. The group previously garnered international acclaim for Lang Toi (My Village), a bamboo circus performance that toured Europe and won audiences over with its subtle integration of traditional Vietnamese aesthetics.

With the GOm Show, the Dan Do group continues its mission to honor and elevate Vietnam’s indigenous musical heritage on the global stage. Their rustic yet profound compositions speak with a uniquely Vietnamese yet universally human voice.

GOm Show marks a new chapter in the group's artistic journey and a significant transition where seasoned artists pass the torch to a younger generation, ensuring the cultural flame continues to burn brightly. The performance is a living dialogue between past and future, tradition and transformation.