The exhibition "Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints" opened on January 23. Participating in the exhibition are 34 young artists who studied at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

The 38 works on display reflect unique features of the cultural life of Vietnamese people. Produced during the Edo period (1615-1868), these colorful woodblock prints depict scenes from everyday life in Japan. Ukiyo-e means "pictures of the floating world," referring to the licensed brothel and theatre districts in Japan's major cities during the Edo period.

The work "Student Meow Meow" by authors Pham Ngoc Ha and Bui Thao My was inspired by the Temple of Literature. Photo: Vietnamnet

The ukiyo-e style was developed in 1765 and remained popular until the last decades of the Meiji period (1868-1912). While only the wealthy could afford paintings by the artists of the time, ukiyo-e prints were enjoyed by a wide audience of commoners because they could be produced relatively cheaply and in large numbers.

The artists express their contemporary perspectives from their works, inspired by researching the quintessential elements of the Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

The exhibition features 38 works by Vietnamese artists. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

According to Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, the exhibition aims to promote the beauty and uniqueness of traditional Vietnamese art materials to a large number of people, especially the younger generation and international tourists.

It is also an opportunity to introduce to the public cultural products that have emerged from the process of discovering traditional artistic values through transnational cultural dialogues.

The work 'Rat Wedding' by author Hoang Thuy Quynh was inspired by the painting Kitsune no Yomeiri-zu (fox wedding) in the Ukiyo-e woodblock print. Photo: Vietnamnet

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen The Son, Curator of the exhibition, explained the thesis of the project.

"Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints is the result of the tireless efforts of young artists in promoting artistic practice, inspired by traditional cultural and artistic values of Vietnam as well as of other cultures. The practice of tradition-inspired creativity is the driving force behind personal creations, which contributes to motivating today's young artists to inherit the spirit of traditional art so that we can be more encouraged to nurture our passion for artistic creativity.”

The Universe of Balance, a lacquered wood sculpture by Nguyen Ha Anh. Photo: Vietnamnet

The exhibition is held at the Temple of Literature until March 12.

The exhibition has the professional support of many experts: Researcher, artist Tran Hau Yen The, visual artist Trieu Minh Hai, artist Pham Khac Quang, artist Tue Thu, artist Hong Nhung (Zó Project), design artist Truong Thuy.

Installation work 'Dance of Color'. Photo: Vietnamnet

Exhibition Enhances Vietnamese People's Understanding about The US's Iconic Landscapes Responding to the important events between Vietnam and the United States, the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association held an exhibition hoping to bring to ...

Editor's Pick: Exhibition Depicts the Colorful Lives of Vietnamese Expats in Germany Join Le Ngoc Thanh and Le Duc Hai (Le brothers) in "The Return" exhibition as the twin artists visualized the memories and emotions of many ...

Painting Exhibition “Drawing The Dragons” To Open At The Temple Of Literature To welcome the Year of the Dragon, the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Drawing The Dragons” was held on January 19 at the Temple of ...