Exhibition "Five Shapes 2" - Creation from traditional culture

Artist Truong Thinh introduces his works.

In the context of the changes in modern life, the visual arts also reflect more diverse and rich interests. Along with the diverse changes of society, the flow of traditional culture, which carries the love for nature and people, needs to be respected and nurtured.

The exhibition "Ngu Hinh 2" marks the return of the Ngu Hinh group to the space of the Tien Duong house, the special national relic of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam.

Regarding the idea of the exhibition name "Five Shapes", the representative of the group of authors said: In traditional Vietnamese culture, if colors have five colors, sounds have five tones, cuisine has five flavors, directions have five directions, then shaping in fine arts also has five shapes. "Five shapes" refers to five characteristic shapes corresponding to each element: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. Each of these shapes has its own characteristics and meanings. The name of the Ngu Hinh group defines the direction of the group, taking the basic foundation of shaping and traditional culture as inspiration to promote and adapt.

This exhibition displays 25 works of various genres and materials, by artists: Bui Hai Nam, Truong Thinh, Nguyen Duc Phuong, Pham Duy Quynh, and architect Tran Minh Tuan. The works express emotions towards nature, culture and Vietnamese people, the beauty that is both familiar and sometimes forgotten in the hasty flow of life today.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Ms. Nguyen Lien Huong, Deputy Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam said: “The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is a special cultural and historical space, symbolizing the tradition of studiousness and respect for teachers of the nation. In the new era of the country, we always strive to turn the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam into an open cultural space, where the quintessence of the past meets the creativity of the present. The exhibition "Ngu Hinh 2", where we experiment with new ways of expressing folk culture through the perspective of visual arts, is one of such activities”.

The exhibition will run from now until August 13, 2025.

Some pictures at the exhibition: