Fun painting activities with VinGallery

On Thursday VinGallery will host a Canvas & Wine event at the new VinSpace Garage, 95 Pasteur Street, District 1 where guests can try to paint a self-portrait in the style of Picasso.

With a little guidance from experts, they promise guests will be able to let go of their inhibitions and express themselves with ease. Guests can paint an imaginary image of themselves or even try to paint the person they see in the mirror.

A similar event will be held at VinSpace, 6 Le Van Mien in District 2 on November 7 which will focus on Henri Matisse.

VinSpace Students’ Art Exhibition will take place from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on November 9 at VinGallery. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the artistic talent of both adults and children, and to raise money for charity at the same time with students of  VinSpace Art Studio’s works up for grabs. There is also an Art Market at the same venue on November 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

German curator lectures on ‘concept of art in today’s society’

Ute Meta Bauer will lecture at a Hanoi workshop for curators and artists on the concept of arts in today’s society from October 30 to November 1 at Goethe Institut in Hanoi.

The workshops with the German curator from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the three days will focus on what is essential for artistic practice today as it has gone through significant changes in the last century. Today, art also reflects on critics of history and society via materials, means and art forms. Bauer was professor at the Royal College of Art, London before taking a new position in Singapore last summer. She is regularly invited to lectures, teaching assignments and conferences around the world. Additionally, she has published works concerning art theory, feminist art, philosophy and curatorial practice.

Hanoi Goethe Institut is located at 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

Russian Cultural Days to be launched

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will cooperate with the Russian Ministry of Culture to organize Russian Culture Days in Viet Nam from November 11-17.

An opening ceremony of the event will take place at the Ha Noi Opera House on November 12.

Art performances will be held at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater on November 15 and at the Binh Duong Cultural Centre on November 16.

Viet Nam and Russia have established a comprehensive strategic partnership. They have constantly strengthened mutual trust and understanding and supported each other at regional and international forums.

In addition, the two sides have launched cooperation and training programs in culture, art and tourism. Trust and mutual understanding of the two countries' people have been unceasingly enhanced and consolidated.

Female painters let talent blossom

Ten female artists from Fine Arts College in Ha Noi and HCM City are showcasing works in different media as a celebration of the beauty of women.

The works, including oil and lacquer paintings, watercolors and mixed media, are "a gift of love presented to Vietnamese women, old and young," said painter Vo Anh Xuan Thuong of HCM City Fine Arts University.

She said the works are based on fond memories and loves of their lives.

Thuong's Cham Vao (Touching) shows an attractive young woman standing with flowers.

The exhibition's highlights including Vuon Hong (Rose in Blossom) and Thu Vang (Golden Fall), both in oil by Dang Thi Duong and Nguyen Thi Thuy Van, with vivid red and yellow colours that indicate dreams and passions.

Vuon Hong features the beauty of roses in the wind and sunshine, while Thu Vang depicts the purity of autumn.

"The beauty of the women and flowers is accessible and matches the traditional Vietnamese concept of beauty. Through their works, I find unlimited inspiration in women," said Nguyen Thao Trang, a student at HCM City Fine Arts University.

"Women hold up half of the sky," she added.

The exhibition can be seen at the HCM City Exhibition House, 92 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1. It closes next Tuesday.

Exhibit shows top heritage photos

More than 100 photos submitted as part of a national heritage contest are on display at an exhibition that opened yesterday at Saigon Mui Ne Resort in Binh Thuan Province's Phan Thiet City.

The images were chosen from more than 6,000 entries submitted by 339 photographers to the second Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards that began in June.

Subjects of the photos vary from nature, culture, art, architecture and daily life to traditional crafts and festivals.

Between October 22 and February 28, other photo submissions will be displayed in 16 cities and provinces across the country. Winners of the contest will be announced on November 21.

The awards were launched in June 2012 to mark Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Day, which falls on November 23.

The contest is organised by Vietnam Heritage Magazine and the Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Association.

Fine art exhibition features Vietnam-Italy solidarity

An art exhibition entitled "The Colour of Vietnam” opened in Milan, Italy, on October 22.

Present at the opening ceremony were Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Hoang Long, local authorities, representatives from the Vietnam Friendship Association in Milan, and Vietnamese residents and students.

Ambassador Long said that the art exhibition aims to introduce the image of Vietnamese people and culture to Italian people with a view to strengthening the friendship  and solidarity between the two countries.

For his part, Roberto Cocevari, President of the Italy – Vietnam Friendship Association in Milan, stressed that Milan has created favorable conditions for Vietnam to organize the event successfully.

A series of activities including a show of Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress), a painting exhibition and martial arts performances will also be held.

The Colour of Vietnam is part of Vietnam Day activities in Milan marking the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties until November 31.

Thai Nguyen to celebrate tea festival

Eighty one tea growers and three foreign delegations will take part in the second Thai Nguyen Tea Festival from November 9-11.

The event will include a tea carnival, a workshop on tea products and ways to promote and invest in the product.

Highlight of the festival will be the final round of a beauty contest for young women from tea growing areas.

Other activities taking place before and during the festival include a photo exhibition depicting tea production and the people of the province.

A market will specialise in tea products and cultural items from from ethnic groups in Viet Nam. Visits to three tea growing areas and tourism destinations in the province will also be organised.

At the festival, the culture ministry and the provincial People's Committee will promote the idea that Thai Nguyen tea is the the most popular in Viet Nam and one of the best gifts in Asia.

TV logo design contest kicks off

All Vietnamese and foreign organisations and individuals aged 18 and above have been invited to join an international logo design contest launched yesterday by the Ha Noi Radio&Television.

The new logo must have an attractive aesthetic and easy to recognise. It should also have to present specific features of television as well as Ha Noi's cultural identities.

The entries can be sent by post to the Ha Noi Radio&Television, 5 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Ha Noi or via email at thilogo@hanoitv.vn. The deadline is January 22, 2014.

The selection will take place from next January to May, and the final round will be held from next June to October.

The winning entry will be granted a VND100-million (US$4,700) prize.