Hanoi (VNA) - Sevensculptors and ten painters from Spain, Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Koreaand Vietnam have been living and working together for an entire month. OnOctober 28, they will open their studio at Flamingo Dai Lai Resort in thenorthern province of Vinh Phuc to the public.

The artists, ranging in agefrom 32 to 81, have had independent working processes, which audiences willunderstand when they see the diversity of the works on display. The residentsof the project, called Art in the Forest, were assigned no subjects and givenno limit. They have been free to create, find inspiration and decide the scalefor their works.

Veteran painter Nguyen Quan,79, said the absolute freedom of Art in the Forest is its most distinctivefeature.

“Visitors will be impressedas the artworks reflect different angles of life and art concepts,” he said.

They’ll also be able tocontemplate artworks at the place they were born.

“Audiences will not onlysee a painting on the wall but also the space which inspired the artists andinfluences their emotion,” he said.

Painter Vu Hong Nguyen, artdirector of the project, said the artists have been given the best possibleworking conditions. They have separate workspaces, materials, assistants anddevices to create whatever they choose, including giant sculptures weighingtonnes.

Sculptor Vu Binh Minh is well-known for his collection of iron sculptures in theshape of clouds, rain, lightning and thunder. But thanks to the Art in theForest Project, he has the chance to create large-scale artwork, something he’snever done before.

“Before, all of mysculptures are at small and medium size,” he said. “I couldn’t afford to make abig one, and it’s not easy to find an exhibit place for it.”

He will present audienceswith Summer Cloud, the iron sculpture weighing 28 tonnes, symbolising theenergy of the nature. The artwork will be displayed at the outdoor space ofFlamingo Dai Lai Resort, along with the other artworks produced by the residentartists of the Art in the Forest project.

“My artwork is covered withlayers of rust preventive paint to preserve it in the outdoor space,” he said.

Last year, Japanesesculptor Katsumi Mukai, 81, impressed audiences with his 26-tonne artworkForest of Sunlight, made from ironwood and inspired by nature. 

This time, he will presentanother wood sculpture entitled Family, inspired by people.

“I have joinedinternational creating camps and exhibitions. I have met many people. Anyone Imeet is a mirror for me to look at myself and career,” he said. “I create onthe basis of what I see and feel.”

From October 28 to November6, various cultural activities such as concerts, art tours, painting classesand Halloween mask making will celebrate the opening. The artwork will bedisplayed at the resort for at least six months. The artists hold the copyrightfor their works.-VNA