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Sàn Art, 3 Me Linh, Binh Thanh District, HCM City
San Art presents a solo exhibition ”Fullness of Absence” by artist Nguyen Thai Tuan. Nguyen Thai Tuan is one of Vietnam’s most significant artists of his generation, whose artistic practice is anchored in the symmetry of fullness and absence. Where are our memories fullest? What triggers/limits our imagination to recall the facts of the past? For Nguyen Thai Tuan, space and its objects, the relationship between body and matter, is of unquestionable import.
A woman with no body, dressed in a crème suit wearing hotel-like slippers, sits in a chaise lounge chair. The knees of this figure push the linen of her trousers, as do the elbows and stomach. Her suggestive volume lies in contrast to the objects around her that appear to have no depth – a cupboard, a chest of drawers with a mirrored closet and footstool. The room is dark in its surroundings, rendered in a palette of somber hues and the viewer is inexplicably drawn to not only this character-less woman, but also her fragmented mirrored reflection. The ownership of this room and the people who use its objects in ‘Interior 1’ are of key concern. This painting is part of a series entitled ‘Heritage’ by Nguyen Thai Tuan who aligns Vietnamese historical sites and domestic objects to the complex memory of society and its political structure in Vietnam. Nguyen Thai Tuan’s stage hangs suspended between the world of the past and the present and this suspension is integral to his art.
Nguyen Thai Tuan’s large-scale painterly interiors are inspired in part by the palace compound of Emperor Bao Dai, Vietnam’s last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, who was also King of Annam (present-day Vietnam) under French protection from 1926 to 1947. Designed and built by Robert Clement Bourgery in 1933, this compound is situated in the central highlands of Vietnam in Dalat, which was the last seat of colonial power during the Indochina period from 1887 to 1954. Composed of three palaces or villas, this site is now a popular tourist ‘museum’ in Dalat, which is also the city where Nguyen Thai Tuan currently lives and works.
What struck Nguyen Thai Tuan the most about this residence was his knowledge of the history of its ownership, for it uniquely charts the socio-political phases of Vietnam from colonial, to imperial, to proletariat, to ‘petty’ bourgeois’, to today’s ‘new acquirers’ – a term coined by the artist himself denoting the burgeoning wealth of a small, yet influential, part of Vietnamese society who are often descendents of the historical ‘proletariat’ cause. Taking this site as subject, the critical poetry behind Thai Tuan’s paintings rests in his juxtaposition of the differing dress and pose of these social classes against a drab backdrop of domestic objects from this residence that appear like a false façade.
Today, this palace compound is marketed as Bao Dai’s last residency, with no public mention of its subsequent or prior owners. Perhaps this is a strategy in building national pride by eulogizing the existence of Vietnamese dynastic rule, which is ironic considering Vietnam is governed as a Communist country whose ideology opposes such a privileged class. Nguyen Thai Tuan deliberately alludes to such contradiction, particularly in light of Emperor Bao Dai’s palace grounds in urgent need of maintenance and repair despite its popularity as a tourist site. Through his own subtle pictorial devices Nguyen Thai Tuan questions the effect of these changing power dynamics in ownership, prompting his viewers to remember the role of political institutions in the changes in social consciousness and cultural attitudes of society. Despite an increase in economic means in the last 20 years, Vietnamese society is still blind to the physical and psychological decay of the civic, educational and cultural structures of contemporary Vietnam.
Recalling the American modernist, Ed Hopper in his treatment of color in the depiction of interior spaces; while capturing a similar social darkness of Gerhard Richter who takes particular historical moments as pictorial frames and ‘iconicizes’ them; Nguyen Thai Tuan’s current practice also recalls the contemporary photographs of American artist Thomas Demand in his stripping of time, clues and existence of people in place and also the work of Chinese artist Hu Yang, whose entry into the private spaces of differing social classes in Shanghai photographically illustrate how the ownership of objects denotes social class.
Nguyen Thai Tuan was born in Quang Tri Province in 1965. He graduated from Hue Fine Arts College in 1987. He lives and works in Dalat.
For further information, please contact Nhung Le: art@san-art.org
Koto Bike Ride Ready this November
Sun 20 Nov 2011
Hanoi to Ba Vi National Park
Registration is under way for the 2011 KOTO Bike Ride, which will be held on 20th November beginning from Hanoi. The 2011 ride offers a new route, which leads participants along beautiful country roads, through quiet picturesque villages, on to the new arrival destination – Ba Vi National Park, where riders can explore Vietnamese hidden gardens. KOTO will donate one dollar per person to the Ba Vi National Park.
The 65 km ride begins at 7:30 a.m., starting at the United Nation International School in Ciputra, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Support vehicles and water break stops will be stationed along the ride; a barbecue lunch, a botanic garden tour, cooking class, team building activities, and value added services will be offered when you arrive.
We can lend riders a bicycle at US$ 15/bike if they do not have their own. Register today as individuals, teams, or corporations to raise a minimum fund of US$200 per person; special rate applies for self-funded volunteer & children under 18. Please contact kotobikeride@koto.com.au or on 04 3718 4573
All proceeds go directly to changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through the KOTO program.
Media: Ms Dang Thi Huong, Marketing & Communications Officer, KOTO Hanoi, huongdt.hn@koto.com.au / Mobile: 0974 294 661
KOTO (Know One, Teach One), the not-for-profit hospitality training organisation Jimmy Pham founded and is now CEO of, has trained in excess of 300 street and disadvantaged Vietnamese youth in its Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) training centres. Its 24-month program includes front-of-house and kitchen, as well as English and life skills training and provides trainees with accommodation, food and medical care, all free of charge. It has a restaurant in Hanoi where trainees work to get practical experience and all profits are invested back into the program. KOTO will open a restaurant in HCMC in 2011.
A Music Concert by TRINITY
19 and 20 Nov 2011, 8 pm
Hong Ha Theatre, 51 Duong Thanh
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents a music concert by TRINITY in Hanoi on Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 November 2011. From Tsugaru folk songs to the Beatle’s classics, the Japanese trio brings sound fusion to Hanoi.
TRINITY is a fusion trio formed in 2006, consisting of Chikudo Takahashi (Tsugaru Shamisen or a three-stringed Japanese traditional instrument like a lute or a guitar), Kei Wada (Percussions) and Miki Maruta (Koto or a Japanese harp). In May 2009, the trio released their first album “Trinity”.
Chikudo Tahahashi is the last apprentice of renowned master Chikuzan Takahashi who established and spread the solo playing style of Tsugaru Shamisen. He collaborates with a wide range of musicians, and boasts a reputation as a talented Tsugaru Shamisen, Okinawa Sanshin and Kokyu (a Chinese fiddle) performer.
Experienced percussionist Wada enjoys collaboration work with artists from various musical genres, while also engaging in the direction and production of play accompaniments. Well-established Koto player Maruta handles a broad range of different music, from classical to contemporary.
In this TRINITY’s first time tour outside Japan, the sound fusion features a Japanese singer, Taiko Matsumoto. From Tsugaru folk songs, Asian and European music to the Beatles’ classics, TRINITY’s new and uniquely arranged musical performance will surely be another treat for music aficionados in Hanoi.
The concert is free of admission but free advanced tickets are required.
Free tickets will be distributed from Thursday 10 November at: The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (04-3944-7419)
Going together Concert with 2NE1
Sat 19 Nov 2011, 7 pm
National Convention Center, Me Tri, Tu Liem, Hanoi
You are invited to the music night “The Idol Concert – Going together Concert in Vietnam with 2NE1” with the performance of Vietnamese and Korean singers such as the 2NE1 band with hot hits like Fire, I don’t care, Can’t nobody, In the club, Go away, Hate you, Ugly; winner of Vietnamese Idol 2007 Phuong Vy; second runner up of Vietnamese Idol 2008 Thanh Duy and many singers from K-pop comeptition in 2011.
The 2NE1 band has 4 members: Dara, Bom, Minzy and CL. They became famous almost straight away after their launch of the first digital album titled’Lollipop’ which remained in the top 1 in the Korean online music chart. And recently, they have organized a succesful performance attracting more than 70.000 audiences to Dome Tokyo Stadium, Japan.
The music performance will be broadcasted live on VTV3.
Dengue Fever Live Music Night
Sat 26 Nov 2011, 5 – 10 pm
American Club, 19–21 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Dengue Fever return to Hanoi for one night only this November!
Celebrating the release of their new album, the Cambodian-American psych-rock powerhouse will be returning to Southeast Asia for their 2011 Electric Mekong tour – with shows in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
This will be Dengue Fever’s second visit to Hanoi, following their legendary performance at the 2010 CAMA Festival, and their only Vietnam performance this year – so whatever you do, don’t miss out!
With five albums and hundreds of live shows under their belt, as well as a slew of feature tracks on film and TV (from films like City of Ghosts and Jim Jarmuch’s Broken Flowers, to cult series like True Blood and Weeds) – Dengue Fever are truly a band at the top of their game.
Ticket price:100,000 VND, tickets available at the door
European Music Festival 2011
17 – 28 Nov 2011, 8 pm
Youth Theatre, Hanoi
HCMC Conservatory of Music, HCMC
Over the past years, the European Music Festival in Vietnam has introduced a remarkably diverse line-up of concerts to its stage in November in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
This year, in addition to continuing to look for ways to diversify its audiences and repertoire to celebrate the richness of European culture, the Festival will present a captivating music mixtures by European and Vietnamese musicians, demonstrating that breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers, music has the advantage that it never needs to be interpreted, it simply speaks to your soul.
This year’s Festival will feature musicians from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Wallonia-Brussels (Belgium), the UK and Slovakia embracing classical music, jazz, pop, rock, and world music. Concerts will take place at the Youth Theatre in Hanoi and the Conservatory of Music in Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening the Festival in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the German ‘Ma’a lot’ Quintet will present a high quality performance playing in chamber music by– the ensemble is considered today to be one of the leading international chamber ensembles.
For fans of jazz, musicians from the Netherlands, Wallonia – Brussels (Belgium) and France will take audiences into sophisticated jazz melodies with great passion. The featuring of Vietnamese musicians together with European partners on stage will bring unforgettable entertaining moments at the festival.
The festival aims to delight audiences with an innovative performance by the UK Zun Zun Egui Rock band, and a sweet pop performance by Slovakian singer Milena Minichova.
Full information about the festival can be found at festival’s website.
Free tickets can be reserved and picked up from Mon 14 Nov 2011 in Hanoi and HCMC, at the following locations:
HANOI
Goethe Institute 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel: 04- 3 7 34 2251/52
British Council 20 Thuy Khue. Tel.: 04 38436780
L’Espace 24 Trang Tien. Tel.: 04 39362164
Vietnam Performing Arts Centre
6th Floor, 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc. Tel/Fax : (+84-4) 3747 8658
HCMC
Goethe Institut 18, Str.1, Do Thanh, Ward 4, District 3. Tel.: 08 36009587
British Council 25 Le Duan, District 1. Tel.: 08 38232862
IDECAF: 31 Thai Van Lung, District 1. Tel.: 08 38295451
Youth Theatre
11 Ngo Thi Nham Str, Hanoi
HCMC Conservatory of Music
112 Nguyen Du Str, Dist 1, HCMC
Exhibition “Rhythm and Game”
Exhibition: 15 – 28 Nov 2011
Tu Do Gallery, 53 Ho Tung Mau Str, Dist 1, HCMC
You are invited to an painting exhibition by artist Dao Trong Luu titled “Rhythm and Game”. His works deal in Oil Paintings, Silk Paintings, Lacquerwares …
Swing Quartet
Tue 22 Nov 2011, 8 pm
The Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Str, Hanoi
You are invited to the music night performed by the Swing Quartet within the framework of the European Music Festival 2011. The quartet (with members comprising of French and Vietnamese musicians) is the combination of great passion for swing between Northern Europe and South East Asia.
The Swing Quartet will play French swing works from Django Rheinardt and Stéphane Grapelli, Yves Montand, Georges Brassens… After the success of the first tour organized by Culture&Flonsflons and Vietnam Academy of Music on the occasion of the 1000th celebration of Thang Long – Hanoi, the two sides continue to cooperate since 2011 and form the group Swing Quartet.
Band members:
Christophe Hache (French), bass
Thibault Dille (Belgian), accordéon
Nguyen Tien Manh (Jazz teacher at Vietnam Academy of Music), piano
Nguyen Hung Cuong (azz teacher at Vietnam Academy of Music), rum.
Tickets:
Register to receive free tickets from Mon 14 Nov 2011 at the following addresses:
Goethe Institute – 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel: 04- 3 7 34 2251/52
British Council – 20 Thuy Khue, Tel: 04 38436780
L’Espace – 24 Trang Tien, Tel: 04 39362164
Center for Performance Arts – 6th Floor, 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel/Fax : 04 3747 8658
Information about the Europe Music Festival visit festival’s website.
UK Rock with Zun Zun Egui to Vietnam
Youth Theater, Hanoi
HCMC Conservatory of Music, HCMC
Much acclaimed UK rock band Zun Zun Egui head to Vietnam this month to play in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as part of the upcoming EU Music Festival. The band have just released their debut album ‘Katang’ – on the UK Label Bella Union complete with single, accompany video and remixes.
Their publicity claims are as weird and wonderful as they are: “Everything about “Katang”, from its 50 minutes of free range rock music to the wonderful fifth-world visual feel conjured up by keyboard player/singer Yoshino Shigihara, emits a weird, kinetic and contagious energy that could only have come from these four individuals”
Formed in Bristol’s side streets, Zun Zun Egui started out playing up and down the UK to “hardcore party crowds”. A series of releases followed and combined with a growing word-of-mouth live reputation they started getting invited to play shows all over the world.
They describe their sound as: “Wild multi-lingual vocal incantations and splenetic, world-wise guitar licks mingle with zig-zag splashes of keyboard colour, while heavy, heavy bass and drums offer the crucial undertow that commits any foot with feeling to the dance.”
Their uniqueness has not gone unnoticed by the music press which has tried its hardest to describe their very different style:
“An explosive abundance of ideas … an alluringly wonky new style of free-form party rock” – Uncut
“On stage and at their best, Zun Zun Egui combine the fury and speedy neurosis of a metal band with a sense of contagious fun. Although they’re after working the audience into a state of something approaching trance, their method and madness are light rather than dark, elevating the spirits rather than plunging them into iron-clad doom.” – The Arts Desk
“Strikingly original … these frenetic Bristolians push the envelope of even their home city’s cosmopolitan musical heritage” – Mojo
Further information on the band can be found on their website, facebook, twitter.
Register to receive free tickets from Mon 14 Nov 2011 at the following addresses:
In HANOI: Goethe Institute – 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel: 04- 3 7 34 2251/52
British Council – 20 Thuy Khue, Tel: 04 38436780
L’Espace – 24 Trang Tien, Tel: 04 39362164
Center for Performance Arts – 6th Floor, 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel/Fax : 04 3747 8658
In HCMC: Goethe Institut 18, Str.1, Do Thanh, Ward 4, District 3. Tel.: 08 36009587
British Council 25 Le Duan, District 1. Tel.: 08 38232862
IDECAF: 31 Thai Van Lung, District 1. Tel.: 08 38295451
Youth Theatre
11 Ngo Thi Nham Str, Hanoi
HCMC Conservatory of Music
112 Nguyen Du Str, Dist 1, HCMC
Norway – Vietnam Friendship Concert
Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi
You are invited to a concert to celebrate 40 anniversary’s relationship between Vietnam and Norway. The concert will have the performance of conductor Alf Richard Kraggerud, violin soloist Ludvig Gudim; Đỗ Phương Nhi and VNSO orchestra.
Program
Vietnamese National Anthem
Norwegian National Anthem
Do Hong Quan: Dang Rong Len
J.S:Bach : Concerto for two violins and orchestra
INTERVAL
Johan Svendsen: Symphony no 2 in B flat Major
Ticket prices: 150000, 250000, 350000, 450000 VND. All Tickets available at Hanoi Opera House – 1 Trang Tien or can book over www.ticketvn.com, ticketvn@gmail.com
For free delivery Call: www.ticketvn.com, 0913489858, 0983067996, 35651806, 66617859.
Exhibition “Grind”
Opening: Sat 19 Nov, 5.30 pm
Exhibition: 19 – 25 Nov 2011
Gallery 39, 39A Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi
You are cordially invited to the first solo exhibition lacquer painting “GRIND” by artist Duong Quy Duong.
Artist’s Activities:
- “S5″ group Exhibition, Puku, Hanoi, 2004
- “2112” painting group Exhibition, 39A Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi, 2006
- Arts party “The Pig & an individual vision” on Tet Eve’s night (16/02/2007), Phu Thuong, Hanoi
- HanoiLink group processing exhibition “Smell Life”, Phu Thuong Flower village, Hanoi, May 2007
- “Die Ratte” group processing exhibition from 7th-11th March 2008 at Goethe Institut, Hanoi.
- “Farewell Teenage” HanoiLink group processing show, Bo De, Hanoi, 2009
- “Book” group processing show, VietArt centre, Hanoi, 2009
For more information, contact gallery39.artviet@gmail.com
Exhibition “The Old Dreams”
Opening: Sat 19 Nov, 6 – 8 pm
Exhibition: 19 Nov – 31 Dec 2011
Himiko Cafe, 324Bis, Dien Bien Phu, Ward 11, Dist 10, HCMC
You are invited to attend the exhibition “The Old Dreams” of artist Himiko. Nguyen (the last exhibition of the project “The Happening” which celebrates the date until when Himiko has passed 6 years of its life).
Piano Concert of VNAM
Vietnam National Academy of Music, 77 Hao Nam Str., Dong Da Distr., Ha Noi
You are invited to the piano concert to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam Academy of Music with the performance of works by A.Dvorak, F.Liszt, F. Chopin, C. Frank, G.Bizet, I. Albeniz.
Program
1. A.Dvorak: Two Dances, Op. 72 (for 4 hands)
Performed by: Professor Tran Thu Ha and Master Trieu Tu My
2. F.Liszt: Grand Paganini Etude no.6
Nocturne no.3 “Liebestraum”
Performed by: Professor Nguyen Minh Anh (La Thuong)
3. F. Chopin: Barcarolle fis dur, Op.60
Performed by: Master Ngo Lan Huong
4. F.Liszt: Rhapsody No.12
Performed by: Master Dao Thu Le
5. C. Frank: Prelude – Choral – Fugue
Performed by: Master Dao Trong Tuyen
6. G.Bizet: “Jeux de Enfants” (for 4 hands)
Performed by: Master Nguyen Hoang Phuong and Dao Thu Le
7. F. Liszt: Transendant Etude “Wild jagd”
Performed by: Master Nguyen Huy Phuong
8. I. Albeniz: Asturias
Performed by: Master Vu Ngoc Linh
Ticket price: 100 000 VND
Tickets are available at Block A1 and Concert Hall – VNAM.
Contact: Ms Tú My – 0904 204 248
Denmark Gala Concert and Ballet
Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi
You are invited to a special Danish program of classical ballet and music and contemporary dance, presenting Classical ballet by August Bournonville, Popular Danish music pieces of Carl Nielsen & N. W. Gade, and Contemporary dance (choreographed by Louise Midjord).
Program
Part I.Classical Ballet “La Ventana”
Music: Christian Lumbye, Wilhelm Christian Holm
Choreographer: August Bourneville
Staging Manager: Frank Andersen, Eva Kloborg
Perform: the dancers of Vietnam National Ballet Company
Interval
Part II.Including Some Classical Dennish music compostitions
Composer: Carl Nielsen, N.W. Gade
- Niels Gade: Overture – Nachklaenge von Ossian (Echoes of Ossian)
- Carl Nielsen: from ‘The Mother’: The Mist is Rising’ for flute and harp
- Carl Nielsen: Little Suite for string orchestra
Conductor: Graham Sutcliffe
and the Symphony Orchestra of Vietnam National Opera and Ballet
Part III Contemporary Ballet: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach
Choreography: Louise Midjords
Scenario: Julie Valentin
tailor: LK Nguyễn
Perform: the dancers of Vietnam National Ballet Company
Ticket prices: 150 000, 250 000, 350 000, 500 000VND. All Tickets available at Hanoi Opera House – 1 Trang Tien or can book over www.ticketvn.com, ticketvn@gmail.com
For free delivery Call: www.ticketvn.com, 0913489858, 0983067996, 35651806, 66617859.
Wishing upon the Moon 2011
Hanoi Opera House, 01 Trang Tien, Hanoi
Wed 30 Nov 2011, 8 pm
HCMC Opera House, 07 Lam Son Square, Dist.I, HCMC
You are invited to a special program to celebrate 40 Years Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and Denmark. The program presents world famous Danish artist Niels Lan Doky and his trio, together with Vietnamese diva Thanh Lam and musician Quoc Trung.
Program
First Set: “I Danmark Er Jeg Født, “Return To Denmark” “Poem For A Dolphin” “Contemplation From A Mountain Top, “Home Sweet Home” ,”Piano Interlude” “The Miracle Of You” ,”Rough Edges” “Hope” (Niels Lan Doky);
Second set: Niels Lan Doky Trio + Quoc Trung & The Road To Infinity with Special Guest Thanh Lam. ENCORE/FINALE: Story Of Earth And Water and Misty Dawn (Niels Lan Doky).
Ticket
In Hanoi:
Ticket prices range from 800,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND.
Contact Ms. Duyen at tel.: 09 8 249 0505
In HCMC:
A limited number of free tickets can be picked up from 21 November at Danish Economic and Commercial Office, 505, Centec Tower, 5th floor, 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets will be distributed on a first come-first serve basis, and it will not be possible to call and reserve tickets.
Screening of “An Escalator in World Order”
Sat 19 Nov 2011, 6.30 pm
DOCLAB
Goethe-Institut Hanoi
56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc
It’s a great pleasure for Hanoi DOCLAB to hosting a screening of An Escalator in World Order (2011) with Korean filmmaker KIM Kyung-man in attendance.
The USA is something like a religious icon in Korean history since the liberation. An Escalator in World Order — awarded the Audience’s Choice Award in the 2011 Jeonju International Film Festival – is a powerful essay film using archival footage and a compilation of images of modern Korean society. The right film for a generation which is losing its knowledge of modern Korean history.
KIM Kyung-man has produced several films such as Things That We Shouldn’t Do, The Structure of Goliath, and The Fool Doesn’t Catch a Cold. He has a vested interest in record films, news reels and propaganda films, and he creates his work by reediting such films.
Languages: The film is in Korean with English and Vietnamese subtitle.
Screening followed by Q&A with filmmaker KIM Kyung-man.
Free entrance
If you’re interested in getting news, announcements from DOCLAB for its activities, workshops, and schedule of film screenings, etc., please email us at hanoidoclab@gmail.com to subscribe to DOCLAB news.
Free Street Concerts in Hanoi
Sun, 10 – 12 am and 3 – 5 pm
From 11 Nov 2011 to 11 Jan 2012
61 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
You are invited to a musical project, named LUALA Concert, which plays classical music by more than 20 artists from the Vietnam National Orchestra, on the street for the public every week end from Nov 11.2011 to Jan 11, 2012. No fee or ticket required. We believe this is an interesting cultural event. And LUALA Concert will definitely be an new cultural destination for those who love classical music and the street culture of Hanoi.
All performances will be held in from of the Music Publishing House where there is enough space for pedestrians to gather. LUALA concert hopes to bring to the audiences and travelers from all over the world to Hanoi to enjoy an academic music but somehow close to the hearts of everyone.
Under the conductor of violinist Xuan Huy, 20 string instrumentalists will perform works of famous international and Vietnamese musicians. The band has started from September 2011 conducted by musician Tran Manh Hung performing well-known orchestra works such as: Emperior Waltz (Jonhann Strauss), Divenmento No 136 và No137 (Mozart), Eine Kleine Wachtmusik (Vivaldi), Serande Sring Orch (Tchaikovsky), Air from Suite No 3 (Bach), Aus Holbergs 2eit (Greig), Concerto for 2 violoncello (Vivaldi), Impromptu (Sibeling), Turkey march (Mozart), Hungarian Dance (Brahum), Two elegiac melodies (Greig), Military March (Schubert), Divermento (Mozart), Serenade (Elgar)…
These are familiar music pieces for everyone, yet very classics and easy listening to by their beautiful melodies, romantic or lively … very suitable for the mass audiences. Bringing the classics to a wider audience is one of the most necessary action to scholarly music and inspire greater public attention to classical music.
The musicians are from VNOB, VNSO and VNAM.
Exhibition Celebrates Vietnamese Teacher’s Day
Opening: Fri 18 Nov, 5.30 pm
Exhibition: 18 – 28 Nov 2011
Viet Art Centre, 42 Yet Kieu, Hanoi
You are invited to an exhibition of teachers of Vietnam University of Fine Arts on the occasion of Vietnamese Teacher’s Day.
“Contemporary Scenario” Woodcuts Exhibition
Opening: Sun 27 Nov, 5.30 pm
Exhibition: 27 Nov – 04 Dec 2011
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. Hanoi
Come to the first solo exhibition featuring traditional woodcut technique focusing on Vietnamese peasant life today of graphic artist Pham Khac Quang. It is also an installation art piece with one thousand (1,000) original woodcut portraits of Vietnamese peasants.
This exhibition consists of two parts. The first part includes ten (10) color woodcut prints created with woodcut block destruction technique (the woodcut block is destroyed after the last print). These graphic works express the artist’s thoughts on the multiple problems surfacing in rural life today. The artist represents Uncle Teu – the narrator in Vietnamese traditional water puppet performance – in contemporary life, giving him the leading role in many present-day stories. Uncle Teu can be a dealer, a businessman, important and satisfied with his lot. In another version, Uncle Teu is depicted as a peasant, humorous and delighted with his position in the community, working with his co-villagers to prepare the harvest, as well as relaxing with them in free time. However, this peasant has an alternative face, selling parts of the spiritual elements of his home village such as the banyan tree, the commune-house yard, and the village pond, at the village market. Does Uncle Teu’s innocent smile hide the sorrows caused by material pressures, or instead express his self-satisfaction? Subtly suggesting his leading protagonist’s multiple personalities, the artist uses the woodcut technique to carefully express his biting social messages.
The second part of this exhibition is an installation-art piece titled Breath. Presented in a 30m2 area reminiscent of a small rice field, the artist plants one thousand (1,000) original woodcut portraits of Vietnamese peasants among which female characters are the most visible unconsciously. The wood – blocks are wooden spatulas familiar in every home kitchen. The artist’s meticulous cut lines vividly express the Vietnamese peasant today. Despite the limited area, this work alludes to the issue of the future of Vietnam’s peasants in today’s rapidly changing society.
The two parts of this exhibition are complementary, both expressing the artist’s deep thoughts about the many changes occurring in his home village, a cradle of folk water puppetry in Hai Duong province. Similar shifts can also be observed in many of Vietnam’s villages, from the delta to the mountains. The exhibition also expresses the artist’s commitment to traditional woodcut art as an appropriate medium for the discussion of today’s living stories, effectively using traditional modes of expression to breathe real life into contemporary art.
For further information, please contact: Dao Mai Trang (Ms.), email: daomaitrang@gmail.com
Harmen Fraanje Avalonia Trio
Sun 20 Nov 2011, 8pm
Youth Theater, Hanoi, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Str, Hanoi
Tue 22 Nov 2011, 8pm
HCMC Conservatory of Music, 112 Nguyen Du Str, Dist 1, HCMC
On the occasion of the EU Music Festival, the trio Harmen Fraanje Avalonia will perform with Vietnamese guest artist. Get ready for an evening of “authentic sound and a unique character; a humorous, generous world where an outpouring of improvisational brilliance is guided by a fearsomely dedicated technique”.
According to the internationally recognized North Sea jazz Festival Harmen Fraanje can be counted among the most prominent jazz pianists of the Netherlands. In just under ten years’ time, he has built an impressive musical career, the end of which is nowhere in sight. Fraanje’s music has many layers. His musical muses are many, as are the numerous collaborative efforts he has undertaken. He is able to surprise with a true musical kaleidoscope of jazz, world and classical music.
Fraanje’s most recent project consists of his Avalonia trio, with whom he will perform today. The Avalonia trio with Clemens van der Feen (bass) and Flin van Hemmen (drums) released the album Avalonia last year, delivering an album of unparalleled class, magnificent in its simplicity and gracefulness. The internationally acclaimed website AllAboutJazz selected a performance by this trio as one of the best concerts of 2010, in the same breath as grandmasters like John Scofield, Brad Mehldau and Bill Frisell, no less…
Register to receive free tickets from Mon 14 Nov 2011 at the following addresses:
In HANOI: Goethe Institute – 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel: 04- 3 7 34 2251/52
British Council – 20 Thuy Khue, Tel: 04 38436780
L’Espace – 24 Trang Tien, Tel: 04 39362164
Center for Performance Arts – 6th Floor, 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel/Fax : 04 3747 8658
In HCMC: Goethe Institut 18, Str.1, Do Thanh, Ward 4, District 3. Tel.: 08 36009587
British Council 25 Le Duan, District 1. Tel.: 08 38232862
IDECAF: 31 Thai Van Lung, District 1. Tel.: 08 38295451
Information about the Europe Music Festival, visit festival’s website.
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