Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Nearly 500 works of various art forms includingpainting, graphics, sculpture, installation and video art by artists throughoutthe country are on display in downtown Hanoi.

The show reflects the contemporary art life of the country in thepast five years.

Titled the Vietnam Fine Arts Exhibition, the event has gathered over 3,500works by more than 1,380 artists after six months. The jury has selected nearly30 of the best works for prizes including six second prizes, 11 third, and 12consolation prizes.

Vuong Duy Bien, former deputy culture minister and chairman of the jury,said they found it difficult to decide the prize-winning works as thetalents of contributing artists are almost at the same level.

“Though there are no distinguished young talents and no first prizes awarded inall categories, the works this time have been more professional than inprevious years,” he said.  

Sculptor Le Lang Luong, a member of the Sculpture Art Council at theevent, said we can see more and more different viewpoints in creatingart works: from realistic trends, modern forms, to abstract andminimalism.

Sculptor Nguyen Xuan Tien, another member of the sculpture council, noted thatthere have been no works really impressing viewers and reflecting acomprehensive view of Vietnamese sculpture over the past few years.

Sculptor Doan Van Bang, another member of the council, said the event hasfailed to attract artists who have actively worked in the field.

“A big question to organisers for the next event is how they should attractgreat names,” he said. “They should consider the size of the prize togather proper names. The audience always expects to see works with freshcreative ideas.”

According to professor and painter Le Anh Van, a member of the PaintingArt Council, though the event lacked popular names, the exhibited worksstill reflect a part of creative desire and the findings inexpressive language of the artists in front of changes of society andtechnology.

Researcher and art critic Phan Cam Thuong explains why great names did notattend the event.

“From 1995 to present, there have been more individual and collectiveexhibitions organised, where popular artists have been invited, than in theprevious period. Besides, artists are often free in creating and thinking, theydo not like being judged by certain criteria. Popular names now tend to followcommercial trends rather than pure art with individual and distinctivecharacteristics.

"That’s why the national event every five year has attracted fewer andfewer popular names. I think instead of waiting for artists to join, organisersshould invite the most influential ones so that the event reflects the bestdomestic fine arts situation in five year's time.”

The exhibition will run at the Vietnam Culture, Art and Exhibition Centre, No 2Hoa Lư street, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi till December 10 before moving toHCM City’s Fine Arts Museum, 79A, Pho Duc Chinh street, District 1 betweenDecember 22 and 29./.