VietNamNet Bridge – The performance of a contemporary dance named “Rural market” by artist Dao Anh Khanh has been boycotted by the public, including farmers.

The team had to try to avoid passers who complained that the show blocked traffic.

Dao Anh Khanh and associated artists recently performed on the riverbank of Hanoi’s Red River. The programme aimed to introduce the public, particularly foreigners, village life and Vietnam’s culture via the works of contemporary artists.

During the performance, the team had to try to avoid passers who complained that the show blocked traffic.

Just 15 minutes after being performed, some people came and forced the group to leave the “stage” for the fear that they would damage their crops. Dao Anh Khanh asked the farmers to give them more time, and was ready to pay compensation, but his request was declined.

As planned, the dance was held at an area of 180 square metres on the Red River football pitch near Long Bien District, but because of not being licensed, the group had to move their “stage” to a road nearby. The programme also saw the participation of two foreign artists.

Bizarre

Many people suggested the video clip of the event was a bizarre art and crazy creation when Dao Anh Khanh appeared to dance bare backed, wearing a piece of black cloth and plaited shoulder length hair. Some said that he seemed to go into a trance rather than an art performance.

This is the third time Dao Anh Khanh has had a performance suspended due to not being licensed. In 2003, he had a performance at Hoan Kiem Lake but also stopped for causing public disorder. In 2000, he held a programme stretching along a kilometre along Ngoc Thuy Dyke in Gia Lam District, Hanoi; however, it was also suspended for the same reason.

Speaking with reporters, he said, “The “Rural Market” event also didn’t have a license. I clearly understand the process to seek permission for an art show or exhibition. While artists need a sense of creation, how I can waste time seeking approval. Plus this was a non-profit programme on a small scale. I’m just a street art who tries to make life more beautiful and perform when I have creative inspiration.”

Writer Le Anh Hoai said Khanh’s contemporary performing art remained too new in Vietnam which meant that management agencies had not paid due attention to its development. The Fines Art Association received licenses for some contemporary art shows at exhibition centres, but it was difficult for performances which needed bigger spaces.

Source: DTriNews