VietNamNet Bridge – In September, a group of  16 young and talented artists and students began a journey across the nation to bring art closer to different community groups through a project titled Gieo (Sowing). They wanted to prove that art connects people - and that art can heal everyone.

Good fun: Gieo brought joy to children and adult across Viet Nam.

The group took 45 days to complete a nationwide journey through eight destinations from North to South. They interacted with about 700 people, teaching them art, and inspiring up to one million followers through social networking. 

The project entitled Gieo (Sowing) was organised by Toa Tau (Train Wagon), a creative learning hub established in 2014 in HCM City. Do Huu Chi, founder of the group, said he wanted to create spaces to help people learn and enjoy art, writing, drawing, playing music, dancing and play acting.

He said that by giving blue-collar workers a chance to be aware, connect and perceive general art, the project helped them find their true soul. 

Gieo involved adults, disabled children, parents and people struggling from the burden of living and with little time for self-reflection. 

"We showed them how to use art as a tool to cure the heart. People can be themselves and show off their emotions when enjoying art, connecting with others and finding serenity,” Chi said. “We wanted to be a wagon to sow joy across the nation.”

The group raised VND300 million to operate the project. 

Members met child patients in Ha Noi, workers at Ford Motor company in Hai Duong, cancer patients in Hue, inhabitants living in Ly Son Islands in Quang Ngai, fishermen in Phu Yen, members of the K’Ho ethnic group in Lam Dong, and workers making salt in Ninh Thuan and bronzes for pagodas in Soc Trang.

They were invited to draw dreams on canvas, play guitar or tell about their 10 most memorable moments with drawings and paintings.  

Click: Mother and daughter learn to use a camera in Hai Duong. Photos from Facebook of the Gieo project

Gieo used writing, drawing, photography, movies and music to bring novel experiences to everyone, at the same time, to preserve and spread interesting, beautiful and original stories about contemporary daily lives of Vietnamese people.

“I had never painted before, but I enjoyed the experience of drawing my dream. It’s a nice house with a garden and a pond in the countryside. It is not hard to draw, art is not something complicated,” said Nguyen Van Nam from Hai Duong.  

In 2016, Gieo completed a six-month pilot period in HCM City. It has so far this year continued its journey on a broader scale and at a deeper level of interaction with community groups.

Art lessons: Children learn to draw in southern Soc Trang Province.

Educational and interactive activities at Toa Tau were designed for both children and adults and available in a variety of formats such as short courses, workshops, talks, music, nights, movie, screening, creative products, and community projects.

The project received much support from artists and young people. Singer Le Cat Trong Ly composed the song Gieo dedicated to the project.

Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Viet Nam’s former ambassador to the European Union and Belgium, and one of Viet Nam’s 50 Most Influential Women for 2017, praised the project for connecting people with beautiful moments. 

Nhi Lien

VNS