Vietnam Indonesia; Across The Universe

A joint art exhibition will be held in August 2023, that will be joined by both Vietnamese and Indonesian artists. The exhibition will be held at Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art Association, 218 A Pasteur Street, District 3, HCMC is a form of friendship shown between the two countries. Artworks that will be presented in this event are made by several artists from both Vietnam and Indonesia.

Both countries are located in the same region, where there has been a growth of modern and contemporary art in this eastern part of this world. This joint exhibition is a start to a stronger relationship between the two countries for the uncoming future. It is hoped that the existence of fine arts will continue to thrive and build an existence

Both Indonesia and Vietnam have independence days close to each other. With Indonesia gaining independence on August 17, 1945 and Vietnam’s on September 2, 1945. Both countries have the same fate as a former European colony.

Ho Chi Minh is a historic and important figure in the Vietnam’s independence movement, which then become a name of the city where the joint exhibition will be held. Soekarno was also one of the important figures of Indonesian independence who also really loved fine arts, shown with a large collection of paintings at the state palace at that time. Indonesia is a country that has a strong growth of traditional arts and culture, as well as Vietnam.

This is what makes the development of modern art between the two countries have some similarities as well as differences. Vietnam has a tradition of painting on silk with various themes such as beautiful landscapes, traditional community activities,etc. Traditional arts created such as batik, primitive statues, puppet and many others have been found that has been traced back to the 15th Century. From this, traditional art has Influenced both style and concept of modern Indonesian artists today.

In my opinion, Vietnam and Indonesia have the same discourse on global issues that are easily accessible from the internet and other media. Issues about global warming, issues about peace from conflict and war, issues about technological advances, issues about scientific developments,etc. All of them became sourch of ideas that were expressed in the work of contemporary art.

The joint exhibition displays the works of 11 Indonesian artists and 17 Vietnamese artists, with the hope of giving mutual appreciation from the two countries. And hopefully, the fine arts in Vietnam and Indonesia will keep developing. The direct interaction of art and culture from artists coming from both countries hopefully will provide information and mutual appreciation, which is important as a form of discourse that continues to develop for the two countries. Happy exhibiting, good luck and continue in the following year.