Calligraphy stood on the windows, danced on the walls, scattered about the floors, swung from the ceiling, and covered every object in sight.
She’s come undone: A young model wraps a silk piece on which calligraphy has been written signifying the relationship of the human spirit and the written word. — VNS Photo Truong ViIt was an ambush of writing, as 1,200 pieces of calligraphy took over the first floor of the Maison des Arts as three groups of contemporary artists led the attack, all in the name of art.
This is the first time an exhibition and performance brings together three different kinds of calligraphy, including vanguard calligraphy (with the participation of the group of Le Quoc Viet), Chinese calligraphy (the group of Vu Thanh Tung) and quoc ngu (national language) calligraphy (the group of Trinh Tuan) all part of this week’s show.
The artists have been working on the exhibit since Sunday, creating a space full of calligraphy to invite people to walk through and feel the beauty of paintings made with words.
"The art performance aims to combine traditional and modern art, joining the Orient and the West, the spirit and reality," said Nguyen Nga, who hosts the show.
The show begins with a performance of calligraphy written on a piece of white silk later wrapped on a beautiful young girl.
The writing got even closer to the body, as the show later featured calligraphy writing on the bodies of models. The message was one of people and words becoming one. As people create words to express their sentiments and messages, words are only given meaning by the people who express them.
Despite the chilly evening weather, the house heats up with the bodies of people elbowing each other to catch a glimpse of the artists and models, waiting their turn to write down their wishes on the model’s bodies in the animated ambience of Spring.
More than a feeling
"It’s a pity that [calligraphy] is only remembered today on the occasion of the Lunar New Year when many people flock to old scholars who will write them a calligraphy word to be hung in their house to pray for a prosperous year," says Nga. Artists taking part in the show intend to demonstrate that calligraphy is an art form.
"It has become more creative and we can consider the calligraphy pieces as paintings in which one can see words and meanings".
The host says she is impressed to see Vietnamese calligraphy make a comeback.
Calligraphy has only been brought back over the last four or five years. Nga, who spent many years abroad, says that at this time of globalisation and integration in modern society, it’s important to present Vietnamese calligraphy to the world.
"But calligraphy has always been present everywhere, at anytime... without being recognised by many people... I hope that the real value of calligraphy can be understood, not only for its spiritual value like many believe."
The calligraphy art performance shows will be held until Sunday from
Source:HN, VNS
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